Romans 11:1-10

Paul continues his rationale for the obligation he said we have, which began in Romans 8:12 and is finally revealed in Romans 12:1ff.

He has been writing about Israel, God’s chosen people, and how they missed the Messiah when He came…not all of them, but most of them.

Paul has stated that the law, given by Moses was holy, but that it could not save.

Now he is going to write about the Jews who WOULD be saved.

The Verses

1. God chose Israel (He did not choose them because they were somehow special and deserved to be chosen, He chose them - and that's what made them special. He is God and He get's to choose. He chose Israel). God has never abandoned them. The point is, you can count on God to keep His word. He will never act contrary to His word.

2. Our national leaders are on the verge of standing against Israel in Middle East politics. They do so at the peril of our country. There are about 15 million Jews in the world. There are about 6 billion people in the world. There is probably a bigger percentage of Israelites who are believers than there is of gentiles.

3. Israel not only turned from God, they participated in the killing of those who did not turn from God. Elijah pointed out their rebellion. He thought it was ALL of them.

4. God reassured Elijah that He had some followers among the Israelites.

5. He has a remnant of Jews today who have been saved by the GRACE of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

6. He again states the theme that salvation is by grace, not works, whether you are Jew or gentile. Grace and works are diametrically opposed to each other in terms of their effecting salvation.

7. Israel’s belief that you could please God by keeping the Law excluded them from being among “the elect” (those saved by grace). Those who came to God through faith in Christ were (and are) saved, while those who did not (and do not) are lost…with hardened hearts.

8. No one had ever been exposed to the gospel as much as the Jews, but they would not accept the light (Jesus). “...could not see or hear” here is not a reference to physical sight and hearing, but to spiritual sight and hearing.

9. “The table” represents material prosperity - feasting. The great feasts of celebration (such as Passover) became very ritualistic and pagan in their nature. The Jews trusted the things they ate without any true confidence in God. By the way, that is the condition of multitudes of church members…they go through the religious motions without ever placing their total trust in God through Christ.

10. God gives light (Christ) so that men might see (receive salvation). Those who refuse Christ will be spiritually blinded.

11. Are the Jews hopeless? NO. But Paul turned to the gentiles to offer them salvation in order that the Jews might see, repent and turn in faith believing.