I. Has God Cast Away The Jews?
A. No, He Has Not Cast Away the Jews
1. V. 1a- No, God has not cast away the Jews V. 11:1a
2. The “chosen people status” was taken from them for a time, because of unbelief.
Matthew 21:43 Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
Acts 1:6, 7 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
3. Israel was not “cast away”, neither totally nor permanently.
B. Proofs That He Has Not Cast Away the Jews Vs. 1b-6
1. V. 1b– Reason #1– Paul was proof that God had not cast away the Jews
2. V. 2a- Reason #2– God foreknew them in regards to salvation
a. This speaks of more than just knowing about them ahead of time.
b. It speaks in the aspect of God foreknowing them regarding salvation
c. What God had determined to happen, will still happen. See 11:29
d. God’s plan for Israel would not change
3. Vs. 2b-4- Reason #3– God had historically preserved His people.
a. Elijah felt defeated and alone.
b. Opposition caused Elijah to think God had forsaken Israel
c. God reminded Elijah that He reserves and preserves people for Himself.
4. Vs. 5, 6- Reason #4- Paul proved that there was (still is) a believing remnant
a. What was true in Elijah’s day was true in Paul’s day, and true today.
b. Those saved are according to the election, according to the grace of God.
c. Grace is unmerited favor. Election is by grace and not by works.
d. Grace and works are mutually exclusive. Salvation comes via grace.
e. Ephesians 2:8, 9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.
If a debt has been entirely paid, there is nothing left to pay and no need to pay. That debt is forgiven.
f. 1 John 2:1, 2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
2And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Grace is not something that is added to our good works, to make up for what we didn’t get done. Within the rebellious nation of Israel, God still called some unto Himself through faith in Christ.
II. Israel’s Spiritual Condition
A. They Did Not Obtain What They Sought V. 7
1. V. 7a- Israel sought righteousness by works. See Romans 9:30-33; 10:2-4
2. V. 7b-The elect obtained righteousness by faith. Romans 9:30
3. V. 7c- Self-righteous Israel was blinded
a. Blinded- literally- hardened, as if having a thick callous
b. Those within Israel who were elected, came by faith, the rest were hardened.
c. Regarding Israel, there was a national choosing.
d. God bestowed His favor in a way that was unmatched by any other nation.
e. God manifested Himself to them, that they might accept Him as their God.
f. Secondly, within the nation, there were those God elected unto salvation.
g. Paul has told us that not all are saved just b/c they are part of the nation.
h. If not for an elect remnant, Israel would have been totally judged. See 9:6-8
i. Most of the Jews of Paul’s day sought righteousness by their own works.
j. Spiritual pride caused blindness regarding their inability to save themselves.
k. They accepted God’s special national favor, but thought they deserved it.
l. They believed that nationality and good works guaranteed salvation.
m. The result was the rejection of Jesus Christ, God’s method of paying for sin.
B. They Became Spiritually Blind V. 8
The result of self-righteousness is spiritual blindness.
1. Quotes from Isaiah 6 & 29, and Deuteronomy 29.
2. Jesus quoted these verses regarding the unbelieving Jews of His day.
3. They chose to not believe, and so God has responded by making them “sleepy”.
4. People are away from God because they choose to be.
5. Why spiritual blindness? Insincere, mechanical religion. Honoring man more than God.
6. Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, But
have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men…
7. They did not love God. Their hearts became hardened, and their minds blinded.
C. They Became Ensnared By Intended Blessings Vs. 9, 10
1. Quote from Psalm 69
2. A Messianic Psalm speaking of those who would reject Jesus
3. Table-snare, trap: That which should have brought comfort became a judgment.
4. Backs bowed down– slavery, captivity.
5. Warren Wiersbe– Their “table to become a snare” means that their blessings turn into burdens and judgments. This is what happened to Israel: their spiritual blessings should have led them to Christ, but instead they became a snare that kept them from Christ. Their very religious practices and observances became substitutes for the real experience of salvation. Sad to say, this same mistake is made today when people depend on religious rituals and practices instead of trusting in the Christ who is
pictured in these activities.
6. Israel failed as a nation due to self-righteousness and the rejection of Jesus.
7. Does this mean that as a nation they are forever doomed to disqualification from the promises of God? No. God has not forsaken Israel.
WHAT APPLICATIONS DO WE MAKE?
1. God is sovereign. He graciously calls sinners to Himself.
2. Apart from the call of God, no one could ever be saved.
3. Salvation is all of God, and the grace He extends to sinful people.
4. Salvation is not of works. Grace isn’t added to what man fails to do.
5. God is not finished with Israel, and with the Jewish people.
6. He will restore them to social, political, and spiritual prominence.
7. Israel doesn’t deserve it, but because God is gracious, and will show Himself mighty on their behalf.
8. Therefore, we watch the Middle East, and we look for the battle described in Ezekiel 38 & 39.
9. When God defeats Russia and the Arab nations, then Israel and the entire world
“…shall know that I am the Lord their God”. That phrase appears 11 times in Ezekiel 37-39.
10. There will be a national revival throughout Israel.
11. God’s calling is irrevocable.
12. Israel has failed as a nation, and is in a condition of spiritual blindness.
13. Though they are religious, they are actually apart from God, and rejected their Messiah, Jesus Christ.
14. Nevertheless, God will again be merciful and gracious to them.
15. He will rescue them from the next war.
16. He will rescue them from the nations that gather for the Battle of Armageddon.
17. Jesus will physically return to Israel, and there set up His kingdom for 1000 years.
18. God restores sinful, rebellious people.
19. People that have rebelled and are in a spiritual stupor are not beyond the reach of God.
20. James 4:6-10 6But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
7Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up