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4000 E.
Collins Rd. “Preaching
the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)” |
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THE
HARDENING OF ISRAEL (Romans 11:7-15)
8/17/08 Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor I.
ISRAEL’S
REMNANT DID NOT EXPERIENCE HARDENING (7-10) A.
The Chosen Remnant
Received Salvation (7a) 1. Paul just finished his explanation of God’s sovereign
election of a remnant (11:1-6). a) Just as God kept for Himself a remnant in the days
of Elijah (11:2-4), so God has kept a remnant of Israel to this day (11:5). b) The remnant is a result of God’s grace (11:6)
through foreknowledge and election (11:1). 2. The concept of God’s grace through foreknowledge and
election is difficult. It spawns many questions regarding God and His ways.
Paul anticipates these questions (“What then?” tí oún) and clarifies with
two propositions: a) #1 - Only the chosen remnant of Israel received
salvation (7a) b) #2 - The rest of Israel were hardened (7b). 3. A paradox exists with Israel. Even though Israel is
seeking (pres ind
- epizêtéō)
salvation to this day, they have not obtained it (epitugchánō - hit upon it). 4. However the “chosen” (eklogế - choosing out,
selection, election) remnant of
Israel obtained it. This means that Israel’s remnant is a direct result of
God’s election and grace. B.
The Rest of
Israel was Hardened (7b) 1. Those who were not chosen were hardened. Recalling
Paul’s teaching on God’s hardening of Pharaoh’s heart in Ro 9:17-18,
hardening is the result of God withholding His grace from an individual. In
other words, God did not create evil in Pharaoh’s heart, rather God gave Pharaoh
full reign to act with his evil nature. 2. Hardening (passive
form) for Israel meant that, except for the chosen remnant, God gave
Israel full reign to act out their natural inclination. All men who act out
their natural inclination reject Christ. If there is going to be salvation
for anyone, it must come as a result of God’s divine election and
intervention. C.
Scriptural
Support (8-10) 1. Paul does not give his opinion; rather he declares
this view by quoting from OT Scripture. Isa 29:10 (cp. De 29:4) speaks of a
deep spiritual sleep or stupor (same word as Adam’s physical sleep cp. Ge
2:21) that the Lord brought upon His people. They had not listened to His
Word through the prophets, so God gave them over to their spiritual blindness
and deafness. Paul applies this same divine judgment to Israel during the
time of the church (Ro 11:8). 2. Psalm 69 is one of David’s prayers for deliverance
from persecution. It is also is a psalm that contains a messianic reference referring
to the soldiers mocking Jesus by giving him vinegar to drink (vs. 21 cp. Mt 27:33).
Verse 22 and 23 were a prayer for judgment against the enemies of the Lord.
Their “table,” which suggests peace and safety will bring judgment. This
judgment will bring blindness and decrepit spiritual life. Paul applies it to
Israel, who rejected its Messiah, saying they have been judged by the Lord.
Therefore they are spiritually blind and decrepit (Ro 11:9-10). II.
ISRAEL’S
HARDENING IS TEMPORARY (11) A.
Israel did not
Fall Beyond Recovery (11a) 1. Even though Israel was hardened, Paul states that
they were not hardened permanently. Paul’s response to this idea leads to his
final use of the expression, “absolutely not!” (mế génoito). 2. Israel stumbled but it will not result in a complete
falling away. The Greek literally reads, “they
did not stumble so that they might fall.”
Israel is in a state of stumbling but will not completely fall away. B.
Salvation to
the Gentiles makes Israel Jealous (11b) 1. In God’s sovereign plan, Israel’s rejection of
Christ led to pre-planned offer to the Gentiles. Therefore, salvation was not
only offered to His chosen people, but to all non-Jewish (Gentiles) people as
well. Gentiles are to be ever indebted to God for salvation, even though it
came through Israel’s transgression. 2. However, God in His wisdom has a far greater purpose
in the Gentiles’ salvation. His ultimate purpose is to make Israel jealous (parazêlóō - provoke to action) and return to Him. III.
HARDENED ISRAEL
WILL EXPERIENCE GREAT RESTORATION (12-15) 1. Paul’s Ministry was to the Gentiles (13) a) Paul identifies that the audience to whom he is
writing are the Gentiles. b) In addition, he reiterates that his call from God is
to the Gentiles (Ac 9:15; Ga 1:16; 2:7-8; 2Ti 4:17). 2. Paul’s Heart was for Israel (14) a) Even though Paul was the apostles to the Gentiles,
he would always preach the gospel to the Jews first (Ro 1:16). When he
entered a city, he would first visit the synagogues (Ac 13:14; 14:1; 17:10;
18:4). b) Because Paul had a heart for his fellow Jews, his
ministry to the Gentiles was extremely important. Paul’s motivation to
convert the Gentiles stemmed from his zeal to make his kinsmen according to
the flesh jealous and return to the Lord (cp Ro
10:19). 3. Israel’s restoration will be Life from Death (12,
15) a) God’s wisdom is beyond human comprehension (a point
that Paul is leading to in Ro 11:33-36) when it comes to God’s plan with
Israel. b) God sovereign wisdom can take the transgression of
His people and turn it into the riches of salvation for the world. c) Furthermore, God’s sovereign wisdom can take
Israel’s failure and turn it into the riches of salvation for Gentiles. d) If God’s sovereign wisdom can reconcile the Gentiles
who were not His people, imagine how great it will be when God reconciles His
people Israel. e) Their rejection of Christ will turn into acceptance
(próslêmpsis - act of receiving) of Christ and their spiritual death will turn into spiritual life. IV.
OBSERVATIONS
AND APPLICATIONS A.
God’s Sovereignty
is Never Surprised B.
God’s Sovereignty
Applies to Salvation C.
God’s Sovereignty
Turns Transgression to Treasure |
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