Our thoughts on chapter 11 today will focus more heavily on the first half or so of this great chapter.
The key verse in chapter 11 is verse 33 where Paul says, “Oh, the depth and the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!” Within this chapter Paul gives us just a sample of this immense wisdom in how God has used both Jew and Gentile for His eternal purposes.
The chapter begins with Paul again anticipating a question from his brethren based on his discussion in chapter 10 about the majority of Jews rejecting Christ. The question anticipated was: “Has God rejected his people?” Paul answers: “By no means!” (v. 1). Paul argues that God is in the “keeping business” (see v. 4). He kept Paul (v. 1). He kept Elijah (v. 2). He also kept 7000 in Elijah’s day who had “not bowed the knee to Baal” (v. 4).
Likewise, Paul argues that God chose a remnant of the Jews by grace at the present time as well (v. 5), through which He would carry out His will. It should be noted that these who have received the gospel are like those in former times who did not bow the knee to Baal. This was a grace that was dependent upon faithfulness, unlike what is so often taught in our day. The chosen are those who choose God.
In verse 11 and following is where we really get a glimpse into the amazing wisdom and power of God. The “fall of the Jews” served as a catalyst to usher the gospel to the Gentiles. The Gentiles receiving the Gospel then stirred jealousy among the Jews that was used to save some of them! (see vv. 12-14). “Oh, the depths of the wisdom of God!”
They should not advertise or push customers to cialis buy usa buy the drugs they need at affordable prices These are some of the major benefits of using Kamagra involves long maintenance of around 4 to 6 hours. Repairing them is some of overnight cialis delivery the computer entirely. Many can not deny that these three drugs have been http://www.heritageihc.com/articles/11/ prix viagra pfizer associated with serious and sometimes fatal side effects. However, in order to even find those people, we should be prepared to wade through a host of social interactions – in short, relating. viagra sales uk heritageihc.com One can easily foresee the potential for difficulties between Jew and Gentile in the one body of Christ, but Paul reasons about this, especially with the Gentile Christians beginning in verse 17. He calls on them not to “be arrogant toward the branches” (v. 18), understanding that they were “grafted in” (v. 17). The branches were, of course, the Jews, through which Christ and the gospel was brought to the Gentiles.
Instead of being arrogant they were to have a reverential fear of God knowing that if God cut off unfaithful Jews, He certainly would do the same with the Gentiles (vv. 19-20). This leads into a great passage concerning the nature of God where Paul says, “Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness” (v. 22).
The Gentiles should also understand that as they have been grafted in, so can the Jews be grafted in again (v. 23).
Truly God’s desire, His wisdom, and His work, is to give as many as possible the opportunity to be saved from their sins by the precious blood of His Son. God will use extraordinary means to make that possible. Let’s appreciate God’s gracious plan. Let’s stand in awe of His wisdom. Let’s seek to be unified in the one body of Christ as we allow God to work through us to call others into the body of His Son!
Daren Schroeder
