God's Unchanging Faithfulness to Israel: A Remnant Preserved

 

Summary

In our study of Romans 11, we delve into the profound question of whether God has cast away His people, Israel. This chapter is divided into three sections, each addressing a different aspect of Israel's rejection. The first section, which we focus on today, emphasizes that Israel's rejection is not total. Paul begins with a rhetorical question, asking if God has completely abandoned His people. The expected answer is a resounding "No," as Paul himself is an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and the tribe of Benjamin, demonstrating that God has not rejected His people entirely.

Paul uses his own conversion as evidence that God has not cast away Israel. He further supports this by referencing the doctrine of the remnant, as seen in the story of Elijah, where God preserved a faithful remnant of 7,000 who did not bow to Baal. This illustrates that even when it seems the nation has turned away, God maintains a remnant according to His election of grace. Paul argues that God's foreknowledge and foreordination of Israel as His people ensure that He has not and will not completely abandon them.

The chapter also addresses the broader theological implications of God's unchanging nature and His eternal purposes. God's promises to Israel are irrevocable, and His plans are not thwarted by human unbelief. This understanding challenges both the dispensationalist view, which may overemphasize the role of Israel, and the British Israelism view, which misinterprets the identity and promises to Israel. Ultimately, the chapter reassures us of God's faithfulness and the continuity of His redemptive plan, which includes both Jews and Gentiles.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Faithfulness to Israel: Despite appearances, God has not abandoned Israel. Paul's own conversion as an Israelite is a testament to God's ongoing work among His people. This underscores the truth that God's promises are irrevocable and His purposes unchanging. [08:31]

2. The Doctrine of the Remnant: The story of Elijah and the preserved remnant illustrates that God always maintains a faithful group within His people. This remnant is a testament to God's grace and His sovereign election, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled despite widespread unbelief. [09:22]

3. Foreknowledge and Foreordination: God's relationship with Israel is rooted in His foreknowledge and foreordination. This means that God's choice of Israel is based on His eternal purposes, not on their actions or merits, highlighting the depth of His grace and commitment. [17:29]

4. Theological Implications of God's Unchanging Nature: God's unchanging nature assures us that His promises and purposes remain steadfast. This challenges any theology that suggests God has permanently rejected Israel or altered His redemptive plan. [38:34]

5. Misinterpretations of Israel's Role: The chapter addresses and refutes misconceptions such as British Israelism, which misidentifies the promises to Israel. Understanding the true biblical role of Israel helps us appreciate the continuity of God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles. [45:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Romans 11
- [00:34] - Paul's Rhetorical Question
- [01:07] - Division of the Chapter
- [02:27] - Rejection of Israel Not Total
- [03:20] - Understanding "Casting Away"
- [04:20] - The Question of God's Rejection
- [05:08] - Who Are "His People"?
- [06:28] - The Answer: God Forbid
- [07:55] - Reasons for God's Faithfulness
- [08:31] - Paul's Personal Testimony
- [09:22] - The Doctrine of the Remnant
- [11:06] - Paul's Lineage and Argument
- [17:29] - God's Foreknowledge and Foreordination
- [38:34] - Theological Implications
- [45:24] - Misinterpretations of Israel's Role

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Romans 11

Bible Reading:
- Romans 11:1-6
- 1 Kings 19:10-18
- Psalm 94:14

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Observation Questions:

1. What rhetorical question does Paul use to address the concern about God casting away His people, and what is the expected answer? ([03:20])

2. How does Paul use his own heritage and conversion to support his argument that God has not rejected Israel? ([08:31])

3. What Old Testament story does Paul reference to illustrate the doctrine of the remnant, and what does this story signify? ([09:03])

4. How does Paul describe God's relationship with Israel in terms of foreknowledge and foreordination? ([17:29])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Paul's personal testimony as an Israelite serve as evidence of God's ongoing faithfulness to Israel? What does this suggest about the nature of God's promises? ([08:31])

2. In what ways does the doctrine of the remnant challenge the idea that God has completely abandoned Israel? How does this doctrine reflect God's grace? ([09:22])

3. How does the concept of God's foreknowledge and foreordination provide assurance of His unchanging nature and eternal purposes? ([17:29])

4. What are the theological implications of God's unchanging nature as discussed in the sermon, and how do they challenge certain theological views about Israel's role? ([38:34])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt abandoned or rejected. How can the assurance of God's faithfulness to Israel encourage you in your personal faith journey? ([08:31])

2. The doctrine of the remnant shows that God always preserves a faithful group. How can you identify and support the "remnant" in your community or church? ([09:22])

3. Consider the concept of God's foreknowledge and foreordination. How does this understanding impact your view of God's plan for your life, especially during times of uncertainty? ([17:29])

4. How can the assurance of God's unchanging nature help you navigate theological or doctrinal disagreements within your faith community? ([38:34])

5. The sermon challenges misconceptions about Israel's role. How can you ensure that your understanding of biblical teachings is accurate and not influenced by popular but incorrect interpretations? ([45:24])

6. In what ways can you actively participate in God's redemptive plan that includes both Jews and Gentiles? How can you foster unity within the diverse body of Christ? ([38:34])

7. Reflect on the idea that God's promises are irrevocable. How does this truth influence your trust in God's promises for your own life and future? ([08:31])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unwavering Commitment to Israel
God's faithfulness to Israel is a testament to His unchanging nature and irrevocable promises. Despite appearances, God has not abandoned Israel, as evidenced by Paul's own conversion as an Israelite. This underscores the truth that God's promises are irrevocable and His purposes unchanging. The story of Paul's transformation serves as a powerful reminder that God continues to work among His people, maintaining His covenant and fulfilling His promises. This assurance of God's faithfulness is a source of hope and encouragement for all believers, reminding us that God's plans are not thwarted by human unbelief. [08:31]

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy." (Romans 11:29-31, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you seen God's faithfulness in your life, even when circumstances seemed uncertain or challenging? How can you trust in His unwavering commitment to you today?


Day 2: The Remnant: A Testament to God's Grace
The doctrine of the remnant illustrates that God always maintains a faithful group within His people. The story of Elijah and the preserved remnant of 7,000 who did not bow to Baal serves as a powerful example of God's grace and sovereign election. This remnant is a testament to God's grace and His sovereign election, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled despite widespread unbelief. It reminds us that even when it seems the nation has turned away, God maintains a remnant according to His election of grace. This understanding challenges us to recognize the depth of God's grace and His commitment to His people. [09:22]

"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." (Romans 11:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt like you were standing alone in your faith. How can the concept of the remnant encourage you to remain faithful and trust in God's grace today?


Day 3: God's Foreknowledge and Foreordination
God's relationship with Israel is rooted in His foreknowledge and foreordination. This means that God's choice of Israel is based on His eternal purposes, not on their actions or merits. This highlights the depth of His grace and commitment, assuring us that His promises and purposes remain steadfast. God's foreknowledge and foreordination of Israel as His people ensure that He has not and will not completely abandon them. This understanding challenges us to trust in God's eternal purposes and His unwavering commitment to His people. [17:29]

"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?" (Romans 11:2, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's eternal purposes. How can you surrender this area to Him and trust in His foreknowledge and foreordination today?


Day 4: Theological Implications of God's Unchanging Nature
God's unchanging nature assures us that His promises and purposes remain steadfast. This challenges any theology that suggests God has permanently rejected Israel or altered His redemptive plan. God's promises to Israel are irrevocable, and His plans are not thwarted by human unbelief. This understanding reassures us of God's faithfulness and the continuity of His redemptive plan, which includes both Jews and Gentiles. It invites us to trust in God's unchanging nature and His unwavering commitment to His people. [38:34]

"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." (Malachi 3:6, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding God's unchanging nature impact your view of His promises and purposes in your life? What steps can you take to align your life with His unchanging nature today?


Day 5: Misinterpretations of Israel's Role
The chapter addresses and refutes misconceptions such as British Israelism, which misidentifies the promises to Israel. Understanding the true biblical role of Israel helps us appreciate the continuity of God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles. This understanding challenges us to recognize the true biblical role of Israel and appreciate the continuity of God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles. It invites us to seek a deeper understanding of God's redemptive plan and His unwavering commitment to His people. [45:24]

"Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." (Ephesians 2:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you seek a deeper understanding of God's redemptive plan and His promises to Israel? What steps can you take to align your understanding with the true biblical role of Israel today?

Quotes

God did not cast away his people which he foreknew what he not what the scripture says of Alliance how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying Lord they have killed thy prophets and digged down thine altars and I am left to learn and they seek my life. [00:44:04]

The doctrine of the remnant makes it impossible that God should ever cast away finally his people and then from the 7th to the 10th verse the Apostle sums it up he says what in the light of this what are we going to say, and he says Israel have not obtained that which he seeketh for but the election hath obtained it and the rest were blinded. [00:09:13]

God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew he's cast away all the rest but he has not cast away his people which he foreknew that is the position taken up by Charles Hodge and hauled in and I think you'll find john calvin also on certain many other favorite famous commentators. [00:20:41]

God has not cast away his people why not the answer is because he foreknew them that's how you read it God does not cast away his people which he foreknew now we needn't stay with this well we've already come across it so often in this great epistle what does it mean what does he mean by his people whom he foreknew. [00:33:24]

God has foreordained this people as his people so if you say that I'm teaching that God does now brush them aside and have nothing more to do with them it means that God made a mistake when he said this or that God is incapable of carrying it out or that God has changed his mind but he's the father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning there can be no change in the purpose of God. [00:38:10]

The Apostle Paul who is a Jew he belongs to the tribe of Benjamin that had stood with Judah when the ten tribes had been carried away Judah the Jews as referred to in the scriptures constitute Judah and Benjamin here's a man who belongs to the tribe of Benjamin but who nevertheless says I am an Israelite showing that this ridiculous suggested distinction between view and dishonor light is entirely without any meaning or substance whatsoever. [00:45:44]

God does not cast away his people which he foreknew now we needn't stay with this well we've already come across it so often in this great epistle what does it mean what does he mean by his people whom he foreknew well the better translation here is for ordained for all Dane now I remember when we were last dealing with this particular word I pointed out to you how it's exactly the same word as you find used in 1 Peter 1:20. [00:33:24]

The Apostle Paul is not saved but he's not only saved he's a great apostle and preacher of this gospel so here's one case in and of itself is rarely proof positive that God has not rejected the children of Israel as a nation once and forever and there's nothing further to do with them very well there he has made this personal statement and it's a very cogent and powerful argument. [00:16:56]

The Apostle Paul who is a Jew he belongs to the tribe of Benjamin that had stood with Judah when the ten tribes had been carried away Judah the Jews as referred to in the scriptures constitute Judah and Benjamin here's a man who belongs to the tribe of Benjamin but who nevertheless says I am an Israelite showing that this ridiculous suggested distinction between view and dishonor light is entirely without any meaning or substance whatsoever. [00:45:44]

God has not cast away his people why not the answer is because he foreknew them that's how you read it God does not cast away his people which he foreknew now we needn't stay with this well we've already come across it so often in this great epistle what does it mean what does he mean by his people whom he foreknew. [00:33:24]

God has foreordained this people as his people so if you say that I'm teaching that God does now brush them aside and have nothing more to do with them it means that God made a mistake when he said this or that God is incapable of carrying it out or that God has changed his mind but he's the father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning there can be no change in the purpose of God. [00:38:10]

The Apostle Paul who is a Jew he belongs to the tribe of Benjamin that had stood with Judah when the ten tribes had been carried away Judah the Jews as referred to in the scriptures constitute Judah and Benjamin here's a man who belongs to the tribe of Benjamin but who nevertheless says I am an Israelite showing that this ridiculous suggested distinction between view and dishonor light is entirely without any meaning or substance whatsoever. [00:45:44]

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Transcript
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