The Remnant of Israel
Bible Text: Romans 11:1-2 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2004, Romans
INTRO
Overview of Romans 1-8. JUSTIFICATION
Overview of Romans 9-11. VINDICATION
The controlling issue of these three chapters is: WHY are most Israelites lost? Answer: First, because of God’s sovereignty (9:6-29). Second, because Israel is responsible for their own unbelief (9:30-10:21).
Now in chapter 11 Paul will address a new issue, namely WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN ABOUT GOD’S RELATIONSHIP TO ISRAEL NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. Answer: They are not rejected TOTALLY NOR FINALLY.
Chapter 11 has three sections:
1) Israel is not rejected totally (vv. 1-10).
2) Israel is not rejected finally (vv. 11-32).
3) God’s plan results in praise to God (vv. 33-36).
11:1-10 has three parts:
1) Rhetorical question (1a)
2) Answer and support from remnant theology (2a-6)
3) The remnant contrasted with “the rest” (7-10).
A. AN IMPORTANT QUESTION ABOUT ISRAEL (v. 1a).
1) Rhetorical question. “I say” – introduces a rhetorical question (cf. 10:18,19),
See how 11:11 uses the same to begin another new idea.
a) “then” or therefore – draws an implication from what Paul has been saying in chs. 9-10.
b) The question is very appropriate. The idea here is “has God totally rejected Israel? Is He finished with the Jews?”
B. PAUL’S FIRST ANSWER (v. 1b-2a).
1) This question expects a negative answer. Followed by strong negative response, “May it never be” (#9 in Romans so far).
2) Paul’s first evidence (v. 1b-2b).
a) Personal (v. 1b). As a Jewish man, Paul makes the obvious point that if he is saved, then God has not totally rejected His people.
– Israelite
– a descendant of Abraham –
– of the tribe of Benjamin –
A critique of the ANGLO-ISRAELISM view.
b) Conclusion: “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew” (v. 2a).
Who is in view? Some say the whole nation of Israel is in view others say it is the remnant in Israel. The latter view is to be preferred in my opinion for these reasons:
(1) Foreknowledge is used in Romans only here and in 8:29 where it is limited to the elect who are predestined to life. Cf. Acts 2:23; 1 Pet. 1:20.
(2) Foreknowledge is surrounded by “remnant” verses.
(3) In v. 5 he speaks of a “remnant according to God’s gracious choice.” Jer. 31:7 Proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save Thy people, The remnant of Israel.’
(4) The hardening of the rest.
Thus, the people whom He foreknew were the ones He chose from all eternity, according to His sovereign pleasure.
Thus, HAS GOD REJECTED HIS PEOPLE? NOT THE PEOPLE WHOM HE FOREKNEW, AND I AM EXHIBIT #1, THAT GOD IS STILL SAVING A REMNANT AMONG THE JEWISH PEOPLE.
CONCLUSION