Israel’s Place – Romans 11:7-12

Romans 11:7-12 (ESV)
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.”

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

On first reading, this is a pretty harsh section regarding Israel from Paul. If we were to quickly ‘gloss over’ it with our eyes, we would think that undue hard punishment has been placed on the nation of Israel.

But what is it really saying? The first section is pretty clear – God, in His foreknowledge, hardened those who weren’t going to believe. But the rest is much more insightful.

Firstly, it is through the stumbling of much of Israel over Jesus (1 Cor 1:23) that the Gospel then was preached to those of us who are not in the bloodlines of the Jews. For in the great commission that we have heard so often, First the Gospel was to be preached to the Jews, then the Samaritans (who were essentially what is left of the other 10 tribes of Israel), and then the rest of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Secondly, and more importantly, Paul is drawing us back to both the remnant of Israel, and their future roles that are still promised! Yes, Israel still has an important place to play in our world, and in world history. Even when we look at the news now (which I admit to doing less and less), you can see that Israel remains a focus all over the world.

Let’s have a quick review of some facts about Israel (the nation). It has a population of around 7 Million, which is 1/10th of 1 percent (.01%) of the world’s population. I would call that ‘statistically insignificant’ (this is not an insult, but an observation that such a small point of a percentage in any number is generally insignificant. For example, if you had $100, and lost 10 cents, this is the same comparison – its still a loss, but you still have $99.90 of your initial $100). Interestingly enough, it also has around the same percentage (0.01%) of the world’s landmass enclosed in its borders.

So how does a country that is so small, with such a small population in comparison to others, take up so much of the world stage, and continually figure in so much of the world news? How does a population that is smaller than inner city New York (8 million) and just over a third of the population of the full New York metropolitan area take up so much ‘space’ in this world?

Because God has chosen it to be so. The nation of Israel was at one time specifically God’s chosen people – and the rest of the world has never forgotten, or forgiven. Despite being having a population that could be called not much more than a ‘rounding error’, they remain the centre of attention of a world that knows God, but refuses to admit it.

And this is what Paul is talking about. Many of the Jews have rejected Jesus, and that has meant riches for the rest of the world. But there is still a plan for the nation of Israel that will see them once again come back to God, and find Jesus, their prophesied Messiah. And when that happens we will all be amazed.

Almighty God, thank you that Your good news has spread throughout the world, starting with Your chosen nation of Israel. We can all see that your hand is still active in Israel, and that you still have plans to use them in the world for Your glory. Teach us not to show partiality towards them, but treat them as you treat us, as a people loved by God, despite our sins. Guide us in Your Word we pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

The Remnant of Grace – Romans 11:1-6

Romans 11:1-6 (ESV)
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

We know that in the Old Testament times, salvation was through the nation of Israel. One thing that we often don’t think about though – was all of Israel saved? It’s certainly something I’ve never really spent much time thinking about – I just think of the nation as ‘covered’ under the Mosaic Law, with the temple and their rituals of feasts and sacrifices.

So since salvation came through this chosen nation of Israel, was everyone’s sin forgiven, and did they all see God?

The answer is quite obviously no. Whilst salvation did come through the Israelites, culminating in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, still only those that followed God were saved. Within the nation of Israel you could say it was like the world now – there are some Christians, and there are plenty of non Christians. In that time, there were some who followed and honored God by following the law through as recorded in the books of Moses, and plenty who did not. You have only got to take a look through the Historical records through Joshua and the Kings, to see hundreds of examples of a people who weren’t interested in what God had for them.

What is Paul’s point though? That the promises given to Abraham are not null and void now that salvation is available to all through Jesus, not through the Mosaic law. When was the promise given to Abraham? It was before the Law. All through the history of Israel there was only ever a portion of people who truly followed God – and there remains even now, a group of ‘true Israelites’ who follow Jesus and are saved. Paul was one of the first generation of these believers, and so was part of the continuation of God’s chosen people.

So what then can we take away from this? Firstly, that God is not done with the nation of Israel, and He still preserves through grace a remnant of people who are loyal to Him – just as He has always done.

And if you want to take it a little further, even when it looks like there is nothing left of the Church – when all of the world seems determined to race down the wide road to eternal punishment and hell, that God has a remnant, set aside for Him, that worships and honors Him.

So trust in God. He knows what He is doing, and He will preserve you, and those around you, for His glory and purpose. Sure, you may have absolutely no idea what is happening, or why, and where all of the true Christians are gone, but God has it in control, and it will turn out for Good.

Lord God, how amazing it is for us to look on Your grace and know that we are part of your remnant, part of the people chosen by You in Your foreknowledge as vessels of grace, as ministers to you in a fallen world. Teach us to live in Your will, guide us in Your will, and help us to truly know that You are sovereign and in control. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Another great Bible study resource

I’ve just come across another great Bible study resource – mystudybible.com. It has web and mobile versions, and even works (if a little slow) on the iPad! It also has a ‘mobile’ version for phones, but I haven’t tried that one.

What is so great you say?

Well, it has a commentary or two fully available, Bible dictionary, but the greatest thing is the original language tools. You can just hover over a word and get the details of what the originial translation said, and details about that word, where it was used elsewhere, how else it is translated and more. If you are serious about ‘digging in’, this is a great tool.

And while it defaults to the HCSB, it also has others versions like the ESV available. I’m not letting go of esvonline.org (as the study notes there are brilliant), but it’s another great tool to work along side. I really like that these tools are online, free, and that anyone can use without spending thousands on ‘full featured’ software. Nothing against that software, but it is out of the financial reach of many people, and sites like this just make study accessible to all.

Every Decision Counts

Isaiah 46:8-11 (ESV)
“Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors,
remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.

Do you know, that for every single decision you make, there can be a massive chain reaction of other events that you did not plan, may not want, and probably don’t even know about? To illustrate, I’m going to write a little story. With two endings. This story may seem farfetched – but I have heard many more amazing things in real life!

So lets say you are on your way to church, but in a little bit of a hurry. As you get to a major intersection, there are a lot of cars, but there is a gap. It’s probably too small, but you might be able to make it. In that moment, rather than be patient, you nail the accelerator and merge.

Unfortunately, the gap wasn’t as big as you thought, and the guy behind, Aaron, had to jam his brakes to avoid denting your car. Unfortunately Aaron also spilled his coffee (debates about drinking coffee while driving aside…). Even more unfortunately, Aaron has a temper issue. But before he can stop at a set of lights and abuse you for your indiscretion, you turn off to church and he goes his way.

Aaron is still pretty mad, and is driving like it. A little too fast into the next corner and he spins, ending up stopped head on against a tree. He’s not particularly injured, some minor bruising, but his car is busted. Aaron is now not going anywhere.

And now for the final kicker. Aaron needs his car to get to work, and has absolutely no money or credit to get a new one or get one repaired. And due to his frequent temper issues, Aaron doesn’t have anyone he can rely on to get him to work. As a consequence, Aaron has lost his job.

All because you chose to rush in, instead of being patient. And really, you don’t know any of this – it is all just a hidden consequence of your actions.

So first, the bad ending. Aaron’s life goes pretty downhill from here, we have all seen it – no money, no job, not really any friends. He resorts to crime and ends up doing time. On top of this, where he worked the business wasn’t doing very well – it was pretty close to closing down. To save some money, the boss decided not to replace Aaron, thinking others could pickup the slack. Turns out, Aaron, temper and all, was much more important than he seemed. Inside of a month orders aren’t getting shipped, and customers are getting mad. Within 3 months the business has gone bankrupt, and 200 other people are now without work, because Aarons boss tried to save a buck, because Aaron couldn’t work, because you were not patient. Sound unlikely? Don’t bet on it!

But wait, we have a better ending! Aaron opens the paper and looks for a new job, and miraculously, finds it through a friend from years ago. And this job has a car, so Aaron is earning more, and has a car, and his friend from years ago is able to again build a friendship back, and Aarons life is back on track. Even better, Jack, and unemployed Christian father of 4, gets hired into Aarons job, and is able to again support his family and give back. Without the accident, Aaron never would have looked for and got a better job, and Jack could still be unemployed living in a 1 room basement with his wife and 4 kids. All because you chose not to be patient.

So what am I getting at? Every single decision in your life has effects far beyond what you can see, even far beyond what you could dream and imagine. I’m sure you have all heard of the shoe salesman who was saved – and shared his faith with a guy buying shoes one day. That guy? Billy Graham. Just an example of someone who made a decision to do something – and look what effect it had!

Only God truly knows the outcome to every decision, every situation.

So what is the solution?

James 4:13-17 (ESV)
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

James is getting at a big point here. We need to live in God’s will for our life – not just for the big decisions in life, but minute by minute, second by second. Every single decision we make needs to be help up to God’s will and standard and tested.

God doesn’t exist as an emergency room - I’ve said it before, God is not a paramedic! Yes, He is there when there is trouble and emergency in our lives, but He is also there all the time – not just for trouble! God is not just there for the big decisions in life, like who to marry, or what job to take, or when and where to move – but for every single decision.

So how can we bring every single decision to God? We need to ‘walk in’ God’s will. We need to hold a close relationship with Him. We need to be in constant prayer. We need to read His words to us regularly, and fellowship with other Christians as often as practical. In short, we need to be Godly. Then, and only then, can we be sure that as we live day by day, we are living as God would have us live.

Heavenly Father, guide us in our daily lives. Teach us to live by Your Word, to live in Your will, to bring every single thing we do before you and live filled with the Holy Spirit. Teach us Your ways, show is the truth we pray in Jesus Name, Amen.

The Ubiquitous Gospel – Romans 10:18-21

Romans 10:18-21 (ESV)
But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for
“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.”
But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,
“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”
Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,
“I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Just a short post today to wrap up Romans 10! For context, Paul here is speaking primarily about the Israelites, the Jewish nation. Up until this point we have been studying how the Gospel is received by faith alone – nothing else.

In the time prior to Jesus, God reached out and chose the nation of Israel to be His chosen people. Not because they were worthy (Deut 7:7-8), not because they were better, or bigger, or for any other reason than to show His favour.

And despite this choosing many before and after Jesus rejected God, rejected His message and abused His favour. Paul quotes heavily from Isaiah in these verses, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” God is patient and wants all people to come to a knowledge of Him, but that doesn’t mean they all accept!

But since Jesus has fulfilled the law, we become the fulfillment of the prophecy – we have been found though we did not seek, we have seen God, despite not asking for it. So what can we say? We can only affirm that the message of the Gospel is ubiquitous – it is universal, open to all who would receive it.

In the next chapter (starting with our next Romans post), we will see more about how God has made the Gospel available to all, but despite this, it does not discount the nation of Israel – they are also called to accept the Gospel; indeed many already have!

Lord God, thank you that your Gospel is available to us all. Thank you that you haven’t just chosen a small group of people to share your good news with, but made the message open, available to all, that we might be saved from our sins and made right before you. Help us to understand the true wonder of what you have done, and share that with others. In Jesus Name. Amen.