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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