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4000 E.
Collins Rd. “Preaching
the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)” |
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NATURAL
AND WILD OLIVE BRANCHES (Romans
11:16-24) 8/24/08 Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor I.
HOLY ISRAEL
WILL NOT BE ABANDONED BY GOD (16) A.
Paul is still
arguing that God’s promises to Israel have not failed. He also is arguing that
God has not abandoned Israel, thus proving God is a faithful and a covenantal
God. B.
The next
argument begins with two illustrations; the first fruits of the harvest and
the root and branches. 1. The first illustration comes from Nu 15:18-21 when
God commanded Israel to offer a first fruit of their harvest (and other first
fruits - Ex 23:19; 34:26; Le 2:12; 23:10; Nu 18:12, 13; De 18:4). The point
was that if the first part was sanctified, made holy, and offered to the
Lord, then the entire offering was holy to the Lord. 2. The second illustration comes from the root and
branches of a tree, particularly an olive tree (Ge 8:11 - first mention; De 6:11- flourishing land; 2Ki 5:26 -
revenue; Ps 52:8 - symbol of peace). It carries the same idea as the
first illustration. 3. The first fruits and the root refer to the
patriarchs of Israel and especially to Abraham. Israel would be the whole
lump and the branches. C.
Paul’s point
was that the promises were made to Abraham, who was set apart unto (hágios - made holy or set
apart) God, therefore the promises
were also made to Abraham’s offspring (Israel). Even though God allowed the
rest to be hardened (Ro 11:7b), He would not ultimately abandon Israel,
because in Abraham, they also were set apart. II.
NATURAL
BRANCHES WERE BROKEN OFF AND WILD BRANCHES WERE GRAFTED IN (17) A.
There is a
contrast between the “natural branches,” which is Israel, and the “wild
branches,” which are Gentiles. B.
Some of the
natural branches, the ones who were not part of the believing remnant (Ro
11:7a), were “broken off” (vs. 17). 1. God had warned His people (Israel) of the
consequences of idolatry and unbelief (Je 11:16-17; Mt 21:43). 2. Paul will explain that his analogy is “contrary to
nature” (vs. 24) in the sense that grafting is a manipulation of natural
processes. It is also contrary to the normal process of grafting because
ordinarily a natural branch is grafted into a wild shrub. 3. The wild branches were grafted into the domestic
olive tree and became “partakers” (sugkoinōnós
- joint partners) of the rich root. 4. It is generally agreed that the “root” refers to the
patriarchs, especially Abraham (Ro 4:11). It is here where the Gentiles
partake of the Abrahamic Covenant (Ge 12:3 cp. Ga 3:6-9). III.
WILD BRANCHES
MUST NOT BE ARROGANT (18) A.
Even though
Gentiles have been grafted in, Paul commands them not to be arrogant (pres mid imper -katakauchaomai - attitude of
superiority. Literally, it is “you must not keep on being arrogant”). Believing Gentiles are not to think of themselves
better than Israel. B.
Paul’s reason
is that the root supports the wild branch and not visa versa. It is the
commonwealth and promises of Israel of which the Gentiles partake (Ro 11:17;
Ep 2:12). C.
In addition,
the Gentiles have no reason to boast in their own salvation because they were
charged as sinful (Ro 3:9) and were called by God (Ro 8:28, 30; 9:11, 24-26). D.
Salvation is
from the Lord (Jon 2:9) via the Jewish people (Jn 4:22) and the Gentiles were
outsiders who have been brought in (Ep 2:13). In a manner of speaking, the
term “wild branches” is a pejorative term. IV.
WILD BRANCHES
CAN ALSO BE BROKEN OFF (19-22) A.
Paul
anticipates an erroneous Gentile argument that states that Israel was broken
off for the purpose that (hína -
conjunction, purpose) Gentiles might be grafted in (19). B.
In one sense,
Paul agrees (kalṓs - very
well, that is true) for the sake of the argument. Israel was broken off
because of their unbelief. C.
However,
believing Gentiles only stand by their belief and not nationality. Therefore,
they are no better than the Jews and are not to be conceited (hupsęlà - lofty attitude).
Rather they are commanded to “keep on having” godly fear (pres imper - phobéō, fear, Eng.
phobia, vs. 20). Previously Paul argued that the purpose for the
salvation of the Gentiles was to make Israel jealous (Ro 11:11, 13-14). D.
Why should
Gentiles maintain an attitude of godly fear? Paul argues, if God did not
spare the natural branches, there is less chance of Him sparing the wild ones
(21). In other words, there is no partiality with God (Ro 2:11) and He will
judge righteously with reference to the Jew or Gentile. E.
God is a
righteous God and exercises all of His attributes. He is a kind and merciful
God as well as a God of justice with righteous indignation against sin (22). 1. The believing Gentile has nothing to boast about in
his salvation because salvation is through God’s kindness (chrestótęs - gracious
attitude, goodness), mercy, and
grace. 2. On the other hand, those from Israel who fell
through unbelief are dealt with by God’s severity (apotomía - lit. steep
terrain) of justice. 3. The Gentiles must persevere in their belief
(“continue in His kindness”). This does not mean that the believer must
maintain his salvation or he will lose it. Rather it means that a genuine
believer will continue in his faith and not become apostate. If he does, he
was not a true believer and “will be cut off” just like Israel. This is why
believing Gentiles must have reverential and godly fear. V.
NATURAL
BRANCHES WILL BE GRAFTED IN AGAIN (23-24) A.
It is at this
point that Paul returns to his main theme of Israel’s future restoration
(23). B.
Israel’s
restoration is predicated on their belief. When Israel recognizes her
Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, it is at that time that she will be grafted
in. C.
Whether or not
this can be done through natural horticulture is beside the point (dead
branches cannot be grafted in). For Paul declares, “God is able” to graft
them back in a spiritual sense. D.
In this
spiritual sense then, Paul argues that if it was possible for wild branches
to be grafted in, it will be easier for the natural branches to be grafted
back in (24). VI.
OBSERVATIONS
AND APPLICATIONS A.
Arrogance Is
Not Wise or Becoming of Believers B.
God Does All
Things For His Glory Not Ours C.
Do All To The
Glory of God |
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