Romans 11:16-24 The Witness Of The Patriarchs

Paul takes up the patriarchs as witnesses that God is not done with Israel.  In Numbers 15, we read "a lump of dough was offered to God as a symbol that the entire lump belonged to Him ... The basic idea is that when God accepts the part, He sanctifies the whole ... God accepted the founder of the nation, Abraham, and in so doing set apart His descendants as well.  God also accepted the other patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob, in spite of their sins or failings.  This means that God must accept the 'rest of the lump' -- the nation of Israel," my commentary said.

There is also an illustration of grafting a branch from a wild olive tree onto a domesticated olive tree.  Usually, it's the other way around.  The branches get their sustenance and support from the root.  Israel is the root and the Gentiles are represented by that wild branch, now being supported by those same roots.  Those Jews who failed to believe were branches broken off the tree.

My commentary noted particularly that "Paul was not discussing the relationship of individual believers to God, but the place of Israel in the plan of God."

The church is not part of this illustration, it says, because "in the church, there is no difference; believers are all one in Christ Jesus."

As to Israel, "No matter how far Israel may stray from the truth of God, the roots are still good.  God is still 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.  He will keep His promises to the patriarchs.  This means that the olive tree will flourish again!"

Father, thank You for Your wisdom and Your promisekeeping.  Continue to show me more about Yourself!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford