Read Romans 11:1–15
What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect
did. The others were hardened.
Romans 11:7
For centuries people have been puzzled by the nation of Israel. The
Roman government recognized the Jewish religion, but it still called
the nation secta nefaria—a “nefarious sect.” The great historian Arnold
Toynbee classified Israel as “a fossil civilization” and did not know
what to do with it.
Paul devoted Romans 11 to presenting proof that Israel is still
God’s elect nation; He foreknew them, or chose them, and they are
His. The fact that most of the nation has rejected Christ is no proof
that God has finished with His people. In his day, Elijah thought that
the nation had totally departed from God. He thought he was the
only faithful Jew left, but he discovered that there were seven thousand more (1 Kings 19:13–18).
Paul referred to this “remnant” in Romans 9:27. At no time has
the entire nation of Israel been true to the Lord. If a remnant had been
saved, thus proving that God was not through with His people, then
what had happened to the rest of the nation? They had been hardened.
But Paul made it clear that the hardening of Israel is neither total nor
final, and this fact is proof that God has a future for the nation.
Something to Ponder
What can you learn from the example set by the remnant of Israel?