Rom 11:11-12 - Jews’ transgression brought salvation

11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.
12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!

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Gentiles Benefitted from the Jews’ Mistake!

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V. 11 - “They did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be!“ - So, the Jews stubborn hearts led them to reject Jesus as Messiah. They were spiritually blind and deaf, their good fortune caused them to rely on their perception of that good fortune. They were special, but could not see that it was because of God’s grace they were so. Paul is praying that rejection is not permanent or final. He prays this is a temporary setback.

"Salvation has come to the Gentiles” - Salvation comes to the world through Jesus Christ. See John 3:16-17 - “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.”  The rejection by the Jews does not change God’s ultimate plan! (See: Acts 13:46) The difference is in the execution of the plan, not the end result. God’s mercy and grace is not a function of Jewish religion, but is offered to all who will believe in His Son.

“To make them jealous” - It was prophesied in Hosea that people who were not God’s people would be called God’s people. God was warning both the Northern and Southern nations of Israel. There would come a time when His grace was going to be offered to people who appeared to be rejected or ignored by God. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were chosen by God to have a special relationship with Him. All others were ‘the nations”, kind of a faceless mass of humanity. There would come a time when that would change. We Gentiles are no longer faceless or forgotten - we, too, are now Children of God. (See: 1 John 3:1-2)
Perhaps, if the Jews are paying attention, they will want to share in the grace offered to the Gentiles. Not a jealousy that causes resentment towards the Gentiles because of the grace, but a desire to know the abundant life promised by God.

V. 12 - “If their transgression is riches for the world ...” - The whole world is directly blessed, not tangentially, because Jesus is available to all who listen. Salvation is offered to we Gentiles by the preaching of the Gospel to us. No longer a carom off a side cushion - salvation does not come from the Jews, but from God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit spoken to our hearts and minds. All the riches of God is offered to us through faith in Jesus Christ.

“How much more will their fulfillment be!” - The Jews rejected Christ and the world is blessed by salvation offered to all and is efficacious to all who believe. This can be looked at in a couple of ways, so:

1. The world will be blessed even more when the Jews come to belief in Christ.
2. The blessing for the Jews will cause for even more celebration. The riches realized by the Jews will be even more wonderful because they overcame their stubbornness and bias.

I am not sure how anything can be better than having all the riches of God be ours through Christ - what could be better than being with Jesus and the Father, face-to-face, embraced in love for eternity?

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Rom 11:6-10 - Israel Has Not Found It Yet

6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;
8 just as it is written, "GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY."
9 And David says, "LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.
10 "LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER."

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V. 6 - “But if it is by grace” - The remnant, either Jews or Gentiles, are saved by “God’ gracious choice” (See: v. 5, above) not by our works or deeds. All too often we humans do not want to be saved God’s way. We want to do it our own way. For example, I just read in Jeremiah 42-43 that the Jews asked Jeremiah if they should escape to Egypt and they promised they would do whatever God told Jeremiah. Guess what - they rejected what the Lord told Jeremiah. They wanted to go to Egypt, and no one was going to change their mind. (My question is why did they ask?) Should God judge and reward you on your terms when you have rejected His terms? (Paraphrased from Job 34:31-33.) Can the inferior command the superior, and expect obedience from Him? God is the creator, we are the created. (See: Isa 29:16; 45:9; 64:8; Jer 19:1; Rom 9:21)

“otherwise grace is no longer grace” - Grace is not earned, but offered.  See the following: “He saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:5-6) The act of faith - believing in and accepting Christ - is not a labor one performs in order to receive gain or reward. It is a commitment of mind and will to God and Jesus.

V. 7 - “What then” - What hope is there for Israel? Where does she go for salvation? If Israel has rejected God, does that mean God has rejected Israel? Paul has already squashed that train of thought.

“What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained” - The nation Israel was seeking a kingdom of power and glory here on earth. A kingdom superior to all the tyrants around and over them - greater than Rome, or Greece, or Babylon and Assyria. A kingdom that would rise up and crush the oppressor nations. God always intended to save the world, not just Israel. Israel was to be the ambassador for the Lord. To be the conduit for the advent of the Messiah, the Savior. Through Israel the whole world will be blessed. This promise started with Abraham, the “Father” of the nation Israel. (See: Gen. 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:1-5; 17:15-16, etc.)

The problem was loss of focus on Israel’s part, not on God’s. “We will be great in the world’s eyes,” was Israel’s understanding. God says, “My name will be praised because of what I have done for the world. Israel will bask in that glory because the Savior comes through them.” The glory is not Israel’s. The glory is the Lord’s, and His alone.

Salvation. Israel was seeking salvation. Not on God’s terms, but on theirs. As noted in Rom 9:30-32, Israel sought righteousness based on works, not on faith. They could not obtain the unobtainable. It is always out of their reach.

“But those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened.” - Some believed. Starting with the disciples, both men and women, there were those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

Read through the Gospels - see the leaders go from curiosity and amazement, to suspicion, anger, to conspiracy to murder, ending with outright lies and demanding crucifixion. Their hearts became harder and harder. They turned many of the rest who were in Jerusalem at the time into a screaming blood-thirsty mob.

V. 8 - “just as it is written” - The following was a quote from Deut. 29:4 and Isa. 29:10. Words spoken to the Israelites by Moses in his last message to them, combined with words spoken to Judah and Jerusalem. In both instances, God has been doing miraculous things for the Jews - whether freeing them from Egypt and caring for them in the wilderness, or protecting them from foreign nations. These words are not a prophecy, but are quoted to show that the Jews have been stubborn for a long, long time. The exodus from Egypt happened about 1500 B.C., and about 750 years later Isaiah is warning them to listen to God.

The metaphor of “seeing” what God is showing them, and “hearing” what He is saying - is to exhort them to pay attention to God and to make a willful decision to obey His commands and instructions. Their acts of rebellion and rejection have the same effect as being sedated, drugged into a stupor. God is not making them belligerently ignorant.

They are saying, “We don’t want what you are offering!”
God says, “Are you sure? You are not going to like what happens.”
They reply, “Yes. Our prophets and leaders are telling us this is the way to go.”
God says, “But your spiritual leaders are blinded by their hubris. It’s as if they are drunk. They are leading you in the wrong direction.”
They reply, “They are telling us what we want to hear!”

God allows them to make the wrong decision. He does not coerce. He woos. When they reject Him, He allows them to have ‘hardened hearts’, just as happened with the Pharaoh.

V. 9-10 - “and David says” - Quoted from Psa. 69:22-23. Again, these quotes are not a prophecy. The sixty-ninth Psalm shows David begging God to provide help against enemies. David knows he has sinned against the Lord, and appeals to His lovingkindness. David’s enemies appear to be doing so well, and he appeals to the Lord’s mercy and compassion. His prayer to God is that his enemies will be so fat and happy they will be complacent - their good fortune will become a trap.

The Jews were so blessed by their position of favor with the Lord, they became lazy. By this I mean they began to worship by rote - going through the memorized motions.  They are relying on their good fortune to get them by. It is also possible they were relying on their obedience to the laws, which they did every week, every year to be enough. 

What an interesting paradox: The Jews are so sure they are God’s people that they don’t even need God! Their good fortune (they were selected by God to be His people) blinded them to their absolute need for God’s grace and mercy. I think that Christians can fall into the same trap. It is easy for many of us to be Christians - we live in a nation where belief in Christ is tolerated and sometimes welcomed. We here in America normally do not face persecution for our belief. (That may be changing, creeping from disinterest, to dismal and opposition. We have not seen persecution, yet. But there are initial attempts to squelch professions of faith. We will see how this goes in the United States.) 

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Romans 11:1-5 - Rejection

CHAPTER 11
11:1-5 - God has not rejected Jews
11:6-10 - Israel does not have it
11:11-12 - Jews’ Transgression Brought Salvation
11:13-15 - Ministry to Gentiles
11:16-21 - Cut-off vs. grafted
11:22-24 - Kindness & Severity of God
11:25-32 - Israel - for our sake
11:33-36 - Wisdom, Knowledge, All Things
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1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 
2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?
3 "Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE."
4 But what is the divine response to him? "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL."
5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice.

God Has Not Rejected Israel!

The role of Israel in the plan of salvation is further discussed in chapter 11 - see the beginning notes for chapters 9 and 10 above.

So, if the Gentiles can receive salvation without the Jews, does this mean Israel has been rejected by God? No, God has not rejected Israel. There will be a remnant saved. All of this is because of God’s grace. The Jew’s failure to believe has opened the door for the Gentiles. If Israel rejecting Jesus brought reconciliation to the world; think of the glory to come when Israel accepts Christ as Messiah and Savior.

This is a warning to Gentiles: “Don’t get cocky, kid!” (Shout out to “Stars Wars.”) Gentiles have been grafted on to the root of the family of God, whereas Israel was part of the original or natural tree. God pruned the branches of the natural tree; He can also prune the branches grafted in. Israel’s disobedience brought mercy directly to the Gentiles. Paul’s prayer is that mercy shown to the Gentiles will be a beacon calling to Israel to believe and be saved.  

V. 1 - “God has not rejected His people, has He?” - A valid question. God called the people of Israel to be His chosen people. Yet they rejected Him. They did not listen to Him. (See: Jer. 25:4ff) God gave His Son, Jesus, to save us from sin. The question is: If God provided forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ and not the Law, what need has He for the Jews? It is possible to see why the Israelites would think since the temple and sacrifices were no longer needed, then God no longer needed them. From no longer needed to rejection is a small leap.

Those asking this question (I do not believe Paul thinks the Jews have been rejected) are forgetting the promise and covenant God has made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. They are forgetting God’s promise given through Ezekiel - the Jews were His people.
In addition, however, God has also indicated that people who were not ‘His people’ were to become ‘His people’. Everyone who believes will be His People!

V. 2 - “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.” - God made a promise to Abraham, “I will make you a great nation.” (See; Gen. 12:2-3, 13:14ff; 15:1-5; 17:15). They are reminded by Joshua all the things God has done for them. It was not by their efforts, but by God’s power. (See: Josh. 23:8-10, 24:1-15) They were reminded they would only be successful if they relied wholly and completely on God (See: Josh. 24:14-24). The people vowed three times to serve the Lord (Josh. 24:18, 21, 24) It was the Israelites who rejected God. “All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.” (Jdg 2:10)

V. 3 - “I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE." - Quoted from 1 Ki. 19:10-18. Elijah was a prophet during the reign of Arab and Jezebel (some of most evil rulers of Northern Kingdom). Jezebel threatens Elijah. He escapes and is hiding in a cave, feeling quite despondent. God asks him, “What’s up?” Elijah, feeling sorry for himself, explains to the Lord “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword." (1 Ki.19:10) Elijah has lost hope for Israel. Not only has Israel chosen to no longer worship God, they are attacking those who do. The situation is hopeless!

V. 4 - “But what is the divine response to him?” - God says, “Not quite so fast, my friend!” “I have a plan,” God says, “to save a remnant who are faithful.” For example see Isa 10:21-22; Jer 23:3; 31:7. Of the millions of Jews in the northern kingdom, God is going to save a remnant of faithful believers - 7000. God’s plan is not thwarted. He is not deterred. (See: 1 Ki. 19:10-18).

V. 5 - “In the same way then” - Paul has equated the attitude of the Northern Kingdom under Ahab and Jezebel with the Jews of his time! Led by Ahab/Jezebel, the Jews rejected the teachings and commands of God. They rejected, by imprisonment and murder, the messengers sent by God. After repeated warnings and repeated rejections, God honored their decision. The northern kingdom was decimated by an invading army and carried off into oblivion and exile.

“there has also come to be at the present time a remnant” - Paul knows full well that not every Jew is drawn to and accepts Christ. He goes into a synagogue in every town he visits. He tells them of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Some turn to Christ as Savior - a remnant. Many rise up in opposition to the Gospel message. (See: Matt 22:14; 2 Pet 1:10; Rev 17:14).

Unfortunately, this is true of Jews and Gentiles, alike. Jesus died for all, but only many will be saved.  (See: 2 Cor 5:14-15; Matt 22:14) Look around: is every church filled to capacity? Is every person in your town or city a believer in Jesus Christ as Lord? This is not to abandon people to the fate of eternal separation from God. See the conclusion of the parable about the rich man and the poor man Lazarus: “He replied to him, 'If they do not respond to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’" (Luke 16:31) It was true at the first Easter. It is true today.

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Rom. 10:18-21 - Rhetorical Questions

18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; "THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD."
19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, "I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION, BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU."
20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, "I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME."
21 But as for Israel He says, "ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE."

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But, But, What if ...

Paul continues with his concern for the Jews. Here he deals with some typical questions that allow people to avoid the question of who is Jesus. Objections like, “What if the Jews hadn’t heard of Jesus?”, or “What if the Jews didn’t know about Jesus?”

V. 18 - “surely they have never heard, have they?” - First, how can the Jews be held responsible for their rejection of Jesus if they haven’t heard of Him? On the face of it, this seems to be a silly objection. How could the Jews not known? Go back in their history - Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, the Prophets - all of these received the promise of a Messiah. The record of the Torah, the historical books, and the prophets all promise of salvation through a savior sent by God. The Jews have the written word to study and learn about God’s salvation for them.

"THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH..." - Quoted from Psa. 19:4, in which we are reminded the heavens, the stars in the night sky, tell of God’s glory. The Psalm goes on to tell us the ‘testimony’, the ‘precepts’, and the ‘commandments’ of the Lord warn us, reward us, and keep us from ‘presumptuous sins’. The TV show “X-Files” has the tag line, “The Truth is Out There.” The truth of Jesus has been there all along. Obstinance and arrogance has kept them from acknowledging Jesus as Lord, Jesus as Messiah and savior.

V. 19 - “surely Israel did not know, did they?” - Secondly, how can they be held responsible if they didn’t know Jesus came to be the Messiah? This is more immediate and personal. During the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, Jeremiah warned them of what was coming. In fact, the Jewish leaders asked Jeremiah to tell them what the Lord said. After Jeremiah told them the Lord was going to send them into exile with the Babylonians, the Jews rejected the message and refused to believe it. History is repeated here.
The Jewish leaders were enraged whenever Jesus claimed to be from the Father, to be the Messiah. They knew the meaning of His claims. They refused to accept Him.

“First Moses says, "I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS ...“ Quoted from (Deut. 32:21, in the ‘Song of Moses’) in which God warns Israel concerning their rebellion. They are rejecting God, by being perverse and faithless, provoking God.
God is telling Israel if they reject Him, He will turn to other people - people who are not a chosen nation. God is saying He is more than a tribal god. He will be God of people all over the world, every nation, every ethnicity. The Jew will be upset. They will be jealous of these believers. In essence saying, “Who are you to take our God, to worship our God!?” The Israelites will think they have lost the specialness of exclusivity. They could not (would not) see that God wanted to save the whole world, to be the God of all nations and people.

V. 20 - "I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME... " (Quoted from: Isa. 65:1,2) - Paul’s apostleship and ministry in a nutshell: Gentiles coming to believe in God through Jesus Christ. Nowhere in religions elsewhere around the world is a god who loves people enough to save them. We don't need to save ourselves.  We cannot. He can and He does.

“... I WILL ANGER YOU” - Look at the response of the Jewish leaders to the church. Anger and hate, fear and revulsion. The leaders were alarmed that the followers of Jesus were upsetting the whole world. (See: Acts 6:12-13; 7:54, 57; 9:12; 17:5-6)

V. 21 - "ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE." (Quoted from: Isa. 65:1,2) - God has beckoned them. He has called upon them. He was warned them. He has chastised them, up to and including diaspora and exile! Look back to Deuteronomy, chapter 28. Verses 1-14 starts off with “If you will diligently obey the Lord your God…”, cataloging the blessings that will come to the Jews. However, verses 15-68 list the calamities that will befall them if they are disobedient! The prophet Isaiah in Isa. 48:18 gives us Gods’ lament, “If only you had listened to my commands!” Several statements in Jeremiah indicate the destruction coming upon the Israelites are because they turned away from God, refused to listen, and disobeyed. They were repeatedly warned. God pleaded with them to return to Him.

Had they heard God was going to save the world through them? Yes, they heard. Did they know God was going to send a Messiah? Yes, they knew. They had all the advantages for which anyone could ask. They chose to go their own way.

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