THOT 4
2 DAY
NOVEMBER
INTRODUCTION
ANALYSIS OF EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
Chapters 1-7:
THE REAL GOSPEL
Chapter 8:
THE REAL CHRISTIAN
Chapters 9-11:
THE REAL JEW
(i)
(ii)
their position
their problem
ch 9
ch 10
(iii) their promise ch 11
Chapters 12-16:
THE REAL LIFE
I will endeavour to follow this analysis throughout the daily devotions, seeking to
stress the ‘reality’ which Paul presents in this wonderful and inspiring epistle.
Reality, in the realms as outlined above. Teaching to challenge all of us as to the will
of God for this world, and also for your life and mine.
So, let’s go, and please God, we will learn together, more of our wonderful,
magnanimous, amazing God as we consider ….’the real Jew’.
November 1st
(iii)
THE REAL JEW - their promise
Romans 11v1
“I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an
Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.”
What an opening question to this month’s devotions! “Hath God cast away His people?”
Recall, of course, we are still in the section dealing with being ‘a real Jew’. Though Paul
is addressing the Romans he is answering their dilemma - one which still divides modern
theology - has God abandoned the Jewish people?
In this 21st century we cannot escape the news bulletins which predominate on the
Middle East in general, and Israel in particular. The frequent skirmishes and the
resultant casualties trouble all of us, but we cannot escape the necessary answer to Paul’s
question.
He is neither shy nor reticent in declaring his viewpoint - “Oh, no, not at all!” God has
not set aside His chosen people!
Now it would be easy to accuse Paul of discrimination here since he goes on to parade
his Jewish lineage; but we must recall that he is now - not a real Jew, but a real
Christian. So let us proceed from that standpoint. As a believer he is adamant God has
not deserted the Jew, nor should I! God has thus ‘promised’!
November 2nd
(iii)
THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v2
“God has not cast away His people which He foreknew. Wot ye not that the
Scripture saith of Elijah? How he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying
……..”
Again Paul is emphatic - God has not nor ever will discard His chosen people.
It is also noteworthy that such emphasis is based on the Scriptural knowledge that God
knew His people from the beginning.
Five times in the NT the word ‘foreknew’ occurs and it is quite categorical in its insistence
that the Lord God did ‘foreknow’. This does not mean that He ‘foreordained’ them, for
that presents an entirely different aspect. It is God being fully aware of His plan, by which
He knows whom He destines.
To the Romans then Paul introduces, for clarification, the prophet Elijah, who complains
eagerly to God concerning the Jews [1 Kings 19].
His complaint, and hence Paul’s point, will be amplified in our future devotions.
November 3rd
(iii)
THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v3
“Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, and digged down Thine altars; and I am left
alone, and they seek my life.”
Paul continues to use Elijah’s discussion with the Lord - as recorded for all Jewish
people to read in 1 Kings 19.
Elijah defiantly explained to God that these Jews had committed all kinds of dastardly
deeds, including stoning the prophets and knocking down all holy altars. Hardly the
work of ‘real’ Jews, argues Elijah.
Then he gets all upfront and personal in his heated diatribe with the Lord by selfishly
suggesting that in the whole of the land he alone is the one standing.
Then, as if to press home the salutary position, he states that he is also on the wanted list
- dead or alive; preferably dead.
Paul, in writing to the Romans, is setting out the tragic scene in order to guide these
children of God forward to a clear understanding of God’s innovative concerns and plans
for His chosen people.
Many may say that God has cast His people aside, but Paul continues to lead them to a
position of agreement that this is not so, nor ever will be!
November 4th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v4
“But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to Myself seven
thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.”
So now Paul is ready to press home, with careful dignity, that God has the matter of the
Jews, not only in His hands but in His heart.
He invites these Romans to get inside the matter with their intellect and anticipate, as it
were, the response of the Lord God - ‘do you remember, he asks them, how God
replied’?
Rhetorically, Paul does not await an answer but distinctly asserts that God contradicts
Elijah by informing him that indeed there are seven thousand still functioning truly on
His side - ‘real’ Jews. Real Jews who have not stoned the prophets nor pulled down the
altars but have tenaciously followed the Lord God.
And Paul uses a definitive word to categorise such Jews; he says that God has “reserved”
these Jews who have not bowed the knee to Baal.
“Reserved!” What a glorious concept and insight to the heart of Almighty God toward
His own dear people.
November 5th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v5
“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the
election of grace.”
Now comes the promise applied to that very day - “this present time”.
The promise of God to His own people is wrapped tightly, exclusively and
deliberately with twin unbreakable cords.
First, there is a “remnant”. No matter how faithless the Jewish people of Paul’s day
(and our day) may appear to be, God will never be left without His witness. There is
always a remnant for God! He will never forsake or cast away His own. Whatever
the dire conditions and circumstances of the world and its antagonism there will
always be that nucleus of ‘real’ Jews.
Second, there is “the election of grace”. There are those who have not turned away
from God , but rather have experienced the saving grace of God in choosing them for
His purposes and His glory. God is ever gracious and the result of that grace He has
chosen them to be His children and His witnesses.
Such are ‘real’ Jews!
November 6th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v6
“ And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.
But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
Anticipating a potential question Paul pinpoints his use of the word “grace”. These
‘real’ Jews have been chosen by God but under the operation of divine grace.
They were not chosen because of their works and their diligent keeping and observance
of the law. Had it been so, reasons Paul, then it would not have been the kindness and
goodness of God which achieved such status for them, but their own efforts and works.
And if it were to be founded on the ‘sand’ of works then that would negate the
‘foundation’ of the sovereignty of God’s grace.
Paul further reasons, that if ‘works’ were the key to a right relationship with God then
the free gift of God would no longer be free - for it cannot be free when it has been
earned.
Paul is guiding the thought patterns of these Christian Romans towards the greatness of
the Almighty God Who doeth all things well. The God, through Jesus Christ they have
come to love and to serve.
November 7th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v7
“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election
hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (hardened)……”
Having arrived at this ‘station’ in the thought process Paul then moves forward into
deeper aspects of God’s deliberate policies for the Jewish people.
Paul explains to the Romans that the majority of Jews have not found the favour of God
for which they were striving.
A few - the remnant - have; those being the ones God has selected purposefully for His
glory. They have received and enjoy the favour of God.
However, and here Paul uses an interesting concept, the remainder have been ‘blinded’,
or as the AV margin suggests - ‘hardened’.
This matter of ‘hardening’ is exclusive to Paul in the NT, and he has used it already in
9v18, in the context of Pharaoh and in the arena of God’s sovereignty in His selection of
His people.
Paul insists that this ’hardening’/’blinding’ process is the divine working of Almighty
God as He goes about achieving His ultimate glory. This is God, Paul reminds his
readers.
November 8th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v8
“…….(according as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes
they that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.”
To further amplify this marvellous outworking and planning of God, Paul proceeds to
explain from Scripture his viewpoint.
Quoting Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Paul uses great expertise and wisdom in
constantly reverting back to Scripture - (not a bad practise for us today!) - in order to
settle these delicate issues. Literally, Paul remarks that the Lord God in His sovereignty
has put the Jewish people to sleep. So sound asleep that they neither see nor hear nor
understand.
Paul insists that the Jewish people, in the main, do not grasp the message of the Christ
which he preaches.
But Paul is not unduly moved by this rejection because it has occurred throughout OT
times, and regrettably he adds, even “unto this day”.
How sad that a chosen people do not hear, see or understand the vital message of their
promised Messiah.
November 9th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v9
“And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them;”
Because he addresses the Christians in Rome, who have a worldwide influence because
of their military prowess, Paul focuses in on King David as his next witness for his
defence of God’s standpoint.
Quoting Psalm 69v22 Paul says that the King experienced the same thinking. The case
for the Lord’s correctness and righteousness continues to develop.
David argues that God’s people should not misread the blessings which a benevolent and
gracious God has poured out upon them. They should not equate bountifulness with
blessedness.
In fact, reasons David, and hence Paul, that their good food and lavish life-styles have
stealthily deluded them into believing all was well between them and their God.
Dramatically, Paul of the NT joins David of the OT in reasoning that the Lord might and
should let these good things rebound on them and crush them.
Hard thoughts! True thoughts! So relevant to out own day!
November 10th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v10
“Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back
always.”
The words of Paul here are so provocative and poignant. It cannot be easy for Paul,
himself a Jew by birth, to berate his own native people in this way. But he loves them!
He prays for them! He desires that they become followers of Jesus Christ but they
deliberately and stubbornly reject His offers.
So Paul continues his salvo, repeating the thoughts of verse 8, that their eyes should be
darkened and dimmed so that they remain sightless, in accordance with God’s
designated plan for their future and for His exclusive glory.
To miss Paul’s insistence that God is the Master of the Jewish dynasty and their future
would mean a dramatic injustice to the absolute authority of God in all matters eternal whether, as here, in the case of the Jews, or alternatively, in the realm of the Gentiles.
Then, in an astounding, additional insertion Paul offers the prospect of the rebellious Jew
being so overloaded by his own perceived ‘weights’ of rightness that he walks with a
bent back under a heavy load.
November 11th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v11
“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather
through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to
jealousy.”
An interesting follow-up is advocated by Paul today as he again reverts to the crucial
question of God’s apparent rejection of the Jew.
He depicts a man stumbling and falling to the ground and assuredly repeats that the ‘fall’
is not a ‘knock-out’ but a mere slippage. God forbid, says Paul, that anyone should dare
interpret such a stumbling as a final rejection by God.
But rather, the message here has the amazing punch-line that this stumbling opens up the
divine opportunity for the gospel to be advanced to the undeserving Gentiles.
The anticipated reaction of the Jews is to cause them embarrassment and jealously, and
provoke them out of their false complacency.
They genuinely believe, states Paul, that they are ‘the’ people and no one else comes
near. Get real, argues Paul.
November 12th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v12
“Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the
riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?”
As we continue our devotions in this section Paul has opened to us yesterday the
panorama of God’s foreknowledge and strategy.
Paul suggests that the ‘stumbling’ by the Jewish people regarding the Messiah has now
opened the door of opportunity to the Gentiles.
Now if the whole Gentile world becomes rich as a result of this stumbling by the Jews
over God’s offer of salvation, and their subsequent turning it down; Paul then suggests
the thought of the greater richness and blessing it will be to the whole globe when,
later, the Jews also come to Christ.
We watch the news broadcasts; we scan our national newspapers on a daily basis and
are absorbed by the amount of coverage such a little land-mass called Israel can
provoke.
How blessed we are when we understand, as Paul here insists, God has neither
forgotten nor forsaken them.
November 13th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v13
“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I
magnify mine office:”
Since the church at Rome is obviously and thoroughly congregated by both Jews and
Gentiles Paul, to use our expression, needs to ‘walk on eggshells’.
The need for delicacy and grace is obviously apparent. He has thus far in the chapter
been off-loading his words and thoughts to the Jews - whilst bearing in mind the Gentile
pew-sitter. So he refreshes their attention by declaring with some straightforwardness
and astuteness that he has been designated as God’s selected envoy to them.
It would appear from the closing reference of Paul to his “office” that he is evidently
proud to hold such an esteem position under the hand of God, and he is not ashamed or
abashed to inform the world of this special calling.
Paul here is not setting aside the Jews from his role, no more than God is setting them
aside from His divine plans.
When you visit many countries throughout the world and preach the Gospel, what a
delight it is to tell the same message to all - this is Paul’s vision.
November 14th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v14
“If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might
save some of them.”
Paul’s burning desire to see his native people saved is never far from his thoughts and
feelings. So quickly from yesterday’s devotion in verse 13 he reverts back to his central
theme for this chapter, namely, the ‘promise’ of the Lord to the Jew.
Tenderly he explains to both Jews and Gentiles in the congregations at Rome that the
subtle plan of God in sharing the gospel message with the Gentiles is to provoke a return
by the Jews to Christ.
Should the Jews see their privileges being shared with those they consider highly
unworthy perhaps, argues Paul, it might cause some of them to reflect and come to
salvation in Christ.
This all-knowing and majestic God so loves and is so ‘married’ to these Jews that He
will cause them to search their hearts and discover are they ‘real’ Jews.
That is Jews, who see beyond the religious rituals and legalisms and, who seek the true
and living God Who sent into their own land and into their own streets His own Son.
November 15th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v15
“For if the casting away of them be the reconciliation of the world, what shall the
receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”
This ‘stumbling’; this ‘falling’; this ‘casting away’ by God of His people the Jews is
temporary, insists Paul over and over again. He has reinforced time and time again that
there is an unbreakable and unshakeable union between the two, which is eternal.
So again Paul reiterates his belief that the plan and purpose of God is to make them
jealous of what the Gentiles have now received so that they will return in salvation to the
Messiah.
And how wonderful it will be when that glorious event is enacted - Jews seeing the light
of the Gospel - and becoming real Christians (a process Paul has spent the last chapter
outlining).
The only expression which crosses Paul’s fertile mind as he seeks to explain the wonder
of such an occurrence is - “life from the dead”.
How rich is that expression used throughout Paul’s educational epistles, to teach us that
such a ‘miracle’ is the work exclusively of God’s Holy Spirit.
November 16th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v16
“For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the
branches.”
Paul now seeks to catch the insight of his Jewish readers in these Roman congregations.
He knows they know their Scriptures, hence his use of Abraham, Isaiah, Jeremiah, King
David and others in his despatch to them.
From that standpoint, of the OT patriarchs and prophets, he insists that these were “holy”
men of God, true followers of the Lord who in faith saw the glorious plan of their
Almighty God, without its fulfilment. (Hebrews 11 presents the ‘supporting cast’ to Paul’s
presentation).
Now, says Paul, since they are “the first-fruit”, and they are “holy”, hence their children
will also be holy.
Then Paul plants the basics in these dear believers mind (pardon the pun ‘plants’) for he
then reckons that if the “root be holy” it is axiomatic that “the branches” are also holy.
Again he is endeavouring to get to the root (again I ask to be pardoned for the pun) of
chapters 9, 10 and 11 to stress the details and validity of the real Jew.
November 17th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v17
“And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert
grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive
tree.”
Paul now enters a beautiful scenario here as he paints a remarkably candid picture of the
mind of God and His unerring plans.
Some of the ‘branches’ of Abraham’s tree, some of the Jews, have been disconnected
from the tree - ‘broken off’.
But we Gentiles, who were part of a ‘wild olive tree’, have been grafted in. How about
that!
And as such we share two amazing gifts - we are partakers of the ‘root’ of the tree, and we
are benefactors of the rich nourishment of this special ‘olive tree’ of God; just the same as
the ‘real’ Jew.
Paul will deal further with this delightful concept in our future devotions, but suffice for
today to bask in the glorious sunshine of this wonderful grace of our God.
Unsaved we were part of a wild olive tree, but in Christ we are ‘partakers’ of the true Vine
and its fruitfulness.
November 18th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v18
“Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the
root thee.”
In a stern warning to Gentiles who been engrafted to God’s tree Paul advises caution as to
their seemingly over-lording other branches.
He stresses the reality of the situation by telling these born-again Gentiles that they are, by
their boasting, displaying the evidence that they are ‘branches’; and branches do not
support the ‘root’ but rather the root supports the branch.
How delicate Paul handles this matter in a country where the congregation consists of both
Jews and Gentiles.
Always the diplomat, always the tactician and the peacemaker, Paul advocates the
delightful purposes of God in expanding the Gospel to the whole world, to both the Jews
and the Gentiles.
We, as Gentiles, are branches in His eternal tree and must be careful not to see the Gospel
merely for us. But that we are included is a most special privilege and honour.
November 19th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v19
“Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.”
Paul now takes the matter down through another layer of clarity.
Saved Gentiles, he presumes, will glory in the fact that God has deliberately removed
certain branches to make way for them and hence they assume for themselves a higher
status in God’s economy.
Not so, insists Paul.
Tomorrow Paul will explain further on this matter, but today the lesson in our devotion is
crystal clear. The first choice of God is undoubtedly His chosen people Israel. His
promises of eternity remain solidly and permanently in place.
The Jews have not been forgotten, nor have they been cast off. God will do His work with
them in His own way and in His own time - the book of Revelation specialises on this
matter, and today, we as Gentiles must be ardent in our prayers for the nation.
November 20th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v20
“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not
high-minded, but fear.”
Paul continues his note of caution to the Gentile believers in the church at Rome.
He explains that the reason for the removal of certain branches was their defiant
unbelief.
Then he assesses the Gentiles engrafting by assuring them they are part of God’s tree
only because they have believed through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The basis of
their connection is faith, not any merit or endeavour on their part.
Therefore Paul issues two recommendations to them. One is that they should not be
‘high-minded’; the other is that they should ‘fear’.
Do not become proud, arrogant or conceited; on the contrary, they should stand in awe
of the Person of God, the plan of God and the provision of God.
This is all His doing and it is marvellous in our eyes.
November 21st
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v21
“For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee.”
The ‘caution’ of Paul issued in yesterday’s devotion becomes a ‘warning’ today.
Think this through, argues Paul. If God saw fit to remove certain parts of His tree and
‘spared them not’; you Gentiles need to take on board the reality that He wont spare you
either, if you live a life of unbelief.
Paul here is not advocating a ‘saved and lost’ strategy, whereby a saved Gentile (or for
that matter, a saved Jew) falls into a realm of unbelief and is removed by God.
No, Paul is summarising the condition generally where Gentiles are not inordinately
protected from God’s dealings any more than Jewish people are.
Both sets of peoples are subject to the majesty and infallible workings of Almighty God,
and this timely reminder to the Gentiles will harmonise relationships in the assemblies
across Rome.
November 22nd
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v22
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell, severity;
but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also
shall be cut off.”
Attention is drawn by Paul to this remarkable combination which alone characterises
God - ‘goodness’ and ‘severity’.
It would be useful for us in this devotions to momentarily pause and reflect, as no doubt
Paul was encouraging those at Rome so to do.
God alone combines goodness and severity! He alone can do so because He alone is
God.
His severity extends on those who constantly and consistently disobey Him and find no
place in their heart for His purposes.
His goodness, on the other hand, extends widely to those who continue to obey Him,
follow Him and put Him uppermost in their lives.
The balance is sternly set out, in that, to remain disobedient and unheeding to God’s
voice renders those peoples liable to God’s judgment.
November 23rd
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v23
“And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able
to graft them in again.”
Paul now lifts our attention to the plight of the Jew in these matters.
So, today and tomorrow in our devotions, he produces what we in Northern Ireland call
‘a level playing field’. He will set the balance of Jew and Gentile adequately in place.
Paul’s reasoning is that if the Jews leave behind their unbelief (that is the crunch issue
here) and turn back to God, He will graft them back into His eternal tree.
God is marvellously able to accomplish this. There is no doubting His ability, nor His
desire to achieve all this.
Tomorrow in our devotions Paul will ably demonstrate this principle, but today we
should reflect on the greatness, pre-eminence and enormity of our amazing God.
November 24th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v24
“For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted
contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the
natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?”
How diplomatically Paul then addresses both Jew and Gentile and addresses the whole
complex issue.
He explains that Gentiles have been cut out of a wild tree, and contrary to the laws of
nature, were engrafted to the good olive tree.
Therefore, it should not be considered illogical that this same almighty God would again
lift these natural, but broken off branches, and re-graft them into His good tree.
No doubt this would be an unusual exercise to engage in, but this must be viewed in the
light of our God’s deep desire to see Israel saved (Paul echoes this sentiment as he began
chapter 10).
After all, these branches were originally part of the good olive tree, and God is even
more desirous to put them back again.
November 25th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v25
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye
should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel,
until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”
Paul reaches what is the abiding principle in this deep discussion and debate.
He wishes to unwrap fully what he entitled a ‘mystery’. Well, it was that until this godly
man under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration opened the curtains and let us see; to see the
hand of God at work.
So he writes to the saved Jew and Gentile in Rome so that both sets of believers will not
in any form feel superior of the other.
In essence, states Paul, God has temporarily set aside the Jewish nation - (Paul calls it
‘blindness in part’) but it should be noted this is ‘temporary’, not permanent, nor
replacement.
This period of ‘blindness’ will occur only until God has finally dealt with the Gentiles (which Paul, and others, call ‘the times of the Gentiles’).
Whenever those Gentiles have finally come to Christ, God will then turn again to His
righteous dealing with the Jews.
November 26th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v26
“And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the
Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”
Adeptly, Paul guides his readers, and us, to Psalm 14 and Isaiah 59 in order to clarify all
doubts which may surface with this definitive matter.
The Lord Jesus Christ - the “Deliverer” will return from His current abiding place in glory
and deliberately confront the Jewish people.
He knows their ungodliness and their wickedness, but when He comes the second time
they will look on Him Whom they have pierced and crucified and many will respond by
turning from their unbelief.
By so doing the land and people of Israel shall be saved.
This verse by Paul is an ‘executive summary’, as it were, of much of the book of
Revelation, where John, being lifted up to Heaven is shown the outworking of this verse
and our devotions.
November 27th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v27
“For this My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”
Quoting Jeremiah (and Hebrews) Paul reminds both Gentiles and Jews that the key word
between the Lord God and the Jews is the unbreakable, indestructible, indissoluble
‘covenant’.
The Lord explained to Jeremiah that this covenant was initiated, manufactured and
completed by Himself. Paul jumps on this particular bandwagon and reinforces it to the
church in Rome. This is God’s covenant!
And then Paul reaffirms that it is to “them” - the Jews. How wonderful is the continuing
strategy and determination of God - He has promised this, so it is guaranteed, He will
fulfil it.
As we consider this devotion today how our hearts must be thrilled at the sheer warmth
and dependence we can place on our God, not only for today but for tomorrow.
It must also be observed, according to our verse, that the purpose intertwined in this
covenant is in order to obtain a perfect and eternal relationship with them and their God.
November 28th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v28
“As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the
election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.”
Wonderfully, Paul presets the topic here for the last five chapters of his book; he reverts to
his static theme - the gospel.
At present the Jews, Paul asserts, do not favour the gospel message. They actually are
“enemies”! They hate it! And the focus of that enmity and hate is extended to the Gentiles
who have been so privileged as to act by faith in their acceptance of the claims of Jesus
Christ.
However, the Jews positively remain in the purposes of the Lord God.
“elected”!
They are
But that election is crucially linked, as Paul here stresses, to the promises God made in
love to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is for their sake that the covenant and election
principles remain actively in place.
God does not forget their efforts of faith. They stepped out when there was nothing
underfoot to rest on; they accepted and believed tenaciously that what their God said, their
God meant. How can we beat that?
November 29th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v29
“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”
Do you ever, when you read something, wish that you had thought of it first?
Today’s devotion falls delicately into that category. It is one of the most heart-warming
concepts in the whole of Scripture.
What God gives and what God promises are never withdrawn.
Grasp the truth of this statement for every avenue of your Christian experience.
What God has promised you in your salvation will never be rescinded - irrevocable.
What God has promised you in your service for Him will never be withdrawn; your gift
from Him is simply and beautifully yours, and that until He calls you home.
When Paul gets to verse 33 (which is outside our remit for November) he sums up all this
with wonderful language - “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God.”
November 30th
(iii) THE REAL JEW - their promise (cont)
Romans 11v30
“For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy
through their unbelief:”
To the Gentiles Paul stresses that there was a time in their lives when they also did not
believe in God. They were determined rebels to the cause and the ways of the Lord.
And they should not forget that salient fact.
But when the Jews refused the goodness of God, it was then that God opened the way, in
His mercy, for Gentiles to gain access to the benefits of salvation.
Paul continues in the next verses to demonstrate that the rebellious Jew will, one day,
share that same mercy of God.
God has, reckons Paul, balanced the books, as it were, so that all, regardless of
nationality, are classified as sinners in His sight.
Paul can only exclaim, in the light of all he has shared with us in chapters 9, 10 and 11,
that our God has depths which are unfathomable - depths of wisdom and knowledge.
CONCLUSION
I add the closing verses of chapter 11 for your perusal v31: “Even so have these also now not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy
through their unbelief.”
v32: “For God hath concluded [shut them all up together] them all in unbelief, that He
might have mercy upon all”
v33: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are His judgments. And His ways past finding out!”
v34: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counseller?”
v35: “Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?”
v36: “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things; to Whom be glory for
ever. Amen.”
These verses then conclude the section dealing with ‘the real Jew!’
(December) will commence our devotions on ‘the real life’.
Chapter 12