Introduction
Revelation 2
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Revelation 3
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
Revelation 3
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
When you read the above passages, how do you feel about your church and what it would mean if it were spat out, or Christ came against it, or your lampstand were removed? What is your responsibility?
Have you ever reflected on why God ordained the Believers in Jesus Christ to collect into a community referred to as the Church.
If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your sacrifice, saviour and Lord ie you are a Christian, what is the need to belong to a church community? I’m saved so why this community thing of the church?
Well as we delve into Romans 11, I pray you will be challenged to reflect on your view of the church community and God’s sovereignty and actions over it and your role in its corporate functioning and activities.
Today we will look at God’s dealing with Israel community/nation and next Week the Gentile peoples.
Background and context
In Chapter 1 -8 Paul deals with the INDIVIDUAL’s fallen condition, both Jew and Gentile, i.e.: everyone and the Gospel as the one and only power of God unto Salvation from that fallen state.
There is a distinct change is focus when it comes to Ch 9-11
Some statistics to consider –
• “Jew” – 10x in Ch 1-3 and 3x in Ch 9-11 . Nil in other Chapters
• “Israel” – 13x in Ch 9-11 Nil elsewhere in Romans
As a generalisation, in Romans Paul uses the term “Jew” when referring to an individual personal context, but Israel has a “Nation”/group connotation. Other than the 13x it is used in Romans it only occurs some 10x in all the other Epistles together.
Chapter 1 – The gospel is for all individuals as all need the Gospel.
Chapter 2 – A Jew is one who has both outward connection (birthright, Circumcision etc) but also inward (circumcised heart by the Spirit)
Chapter 3- When it comes to the individual, we all stand equal before God – Jew or Gentile irrespective of the heritage and advantage the Jew had.
In Chapters 9-11 we see the dominant use of the term Israel – which is a much more a nationalistic term.
I see in the Scriptures, TWO steams in God’s dealing with mankind. In His sovereignty and grace, God works at an INDIVIDUAL personal level leading to men’s everlasting state ie. Everlasting life or everlasting death. He also, however works at a GROUP level with peoples and communities and nations (and CHURCHES as we read) with respect to their general life, wellbeing and faithfulness. We see God dealing with Israel, Babylonians, Assyrians, etc. in the OT. In the New Testament (current era) it has separated into the Church and all other peoples. Is there a Beyond the Church era??
HEY YOU MAY ASK, WHAT ABOUT THE NATION OF ISRAEL? They are called God’s people in the OT. Paul hears this valid query and addresses this in Chapter 9-11.
SO, In Chapters 1 through 8 Paul has dealt with the personal and individual standing of men before God and the Gospel as being God’s power for salvation, first to the Jew and then to the Gentile as individuals. The Gospel is God’s plan for the redemption of man from his fallen state and nothing can stand against it.
Ch 8 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In Galatians 3v28,29 Paul writes – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave[g] nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” Ie through Abraham all the peoples of the earth would be blessed (Gen 12v3).
However In Ch 9-11 Paul changes tack and is now clearing up the question relating to the promises made to Israel as a nation, as a people. So now Paul speaks about God’s dealings as so far as nations and groupings are concerned specifically Israel and the Gentiles– this to address the National Israel question. This is about God’s dispensational dealing with Collectives or Communities to fulfill His will.
I can hear the – “WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?”. – I did give a hint when I started by highlighting that Paul moved to use the term “Israel” in these chapters rather than “Jew” – even when referring to himself. This has a “Nation of Israel” implication, as understood in the OT.
It would be almost superfluous for Paul to begin to deal with the Jews as individuals again as that is clearly stated and argued in Ch 1-8. Clearly he is dealing with the Nation Israel issue.
This is an important perspective if we are to read these scriptures with the correct context screen. So, let’s consider some support for my statement other than just the use of Israel -
In Rom 9 (demonstrating God’s sovereignty) Paul quotes three OT examples to show God’s sovereignty – but over what/who? Individual – well yes, (that’s been covered in Ch 1-8 so why re state the point?) BUT if we read the context it is as much if not more about the nation or people they represent than the individual. Its God’s sovereignty over Nations -
1. Jacob and Esau – Gen 25 22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?”[b]So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you[c]shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other,
the older shall serve the younger.”
The decisions in life made by the representative, Esau would determine God’s favour.
2. Moses - Ex33v12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” (from every other people – that’s the crux of Moses request – Israel nation versus other nations)
17And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
So, referencing v15 and16 – “distinct from every other people” “it depends not on human will…but on God who shows mercy on whom I (he) will show mercy”
3. Pharoah – Ex 9v16 -15 For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. 16 But for this purpose I have raised (idea of allowed you to become who you are) you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
If you read the account, this was the 7th plague and yet most of the Egyptians opposed God and did not do as he advised ie, to take livestock and slaves under shelter. Pharoahs heart reflected the nations heart.
In each instance, God does not OVRER RIDE the decision of men but he OVER RULES the outcome by his sovereign will to fulfils His purposes. In Ex 9 God makes it clear that he could have wiped the Egyptians out (Verse 15) – Pharoah makes his decisions. Pharoah’s decisions stand, but God acts (more plagues) that the outcome is what God determines. It’s not about Pharoah, but about the nation of Egypt and God’s sovereignty over them.
Consider the impact on the individual when God acts on the Nation -
God’s people in Exodus are taken out of Egypt. The righteous/faithful and the unfaithful – because Moses had found favour in God’s eyes. Good’s mercy is “to whom he wills” – in this case all of the nation of Israel. They experience blessing
Now later, that whole generation of “adults” dies in the wilderness (except for Joshua and Caleb) as punishment for unfaithfulness to/not trusting God – including Moses and others who were faithful in the group. Moses NEVER reaches the Promised land despite his petition for God to allow him to do so. (Well he did – Transfiguration with Jesus (Matt 17v1-8). So Moses was caught up with Nation Israel’s misfortunes due to their lack of trust in God, yet he did trust God. It almost feels unfair unless you see the “two programs” that operate interwoven with God as sovereign of all.
This paradigm occurs throughout the Old Testament. The prophets were subjected to the same fate. So Paul starts in Rom 11 almost as a response to Ch 10 v 20-22 (20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,
“I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” No wonder there might have been the question about Israels standing before God - A. Israel’s Present Situation (11 v 1-10)
Paul asserts that God has not rejected “His people” in an emphatic way – possibly echoing Ps94v14 (14 For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;) with FOUR pieces of evidence –
a. Personal – V1b “I am an Israelite myself” (Notice he does not say “Jew” but “Israelite” outlining his natural Israelite credentials).
b. Theological – V2a “as his people whom he foreknew” – to foreknow and rejection are mutually incompatible. The linking of “his people” to “Israelite” connects this foreknowledge to the nation and not just a remnant. This is his covenant people Jer 33v19ff (25 Thus says the Lord: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, 26 then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.”)
c. Biblical Evidence – V2b-4 God overrules man’s decision and keeps a remanent that is faithful to uphold Israel as his people. God has never rejected His people. Even when appearances would suggest that they are rejected, God has been faithful in upholding his promises to David to maintain his line.
d. Contemporary – V5 – even then despite the majority/national rejection of the Gospel, a remnant chosen by grace in the face of the nation’s hardening of their heart.
Again notice the continuation of the link that this is God’s grace-remnant to show that His people have not been “rejected”.
There is no works – Paul emphasises this. This is God showing mercy to whom he wills even as he said to Moses. He Over Rules the hardness of the Nations hearts as identified in the leadership ie Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes.
WHAT THEN? – Paul has to move away from the generalising of what Israel’s circumstances are historically and states the current situation ie they have failed in obtaining the righteousness they sought by doing it their way and their current standing as a Nation in that other than the elect remnant all others have hardened hearts (and fallen short of the glory of God).
Just as Pharoah and Egypt had hardened their own hearts and finally God harden their hearts that they would not see or hear truth, so to Israel as a nation has its heart hardened. In fact the Quote from Isaiah 29 goes on to indicate that it is like being given a sealed book which seal they cannot open. Reminds one of Revelation where the lamb is the only one worthy of opening the seals. Paul then emphasises the depravity of their condition in that they are so comfortable in their own self righteousness that they do not see the calamity that will overtake them.
WOW! How low can you go –
B. Israels Future Prospects (11v 11,12 & 25-32)
Verse 11 – Is the stumble a fall – fallen beyond any repair – NO says Paul. WHAT FALL?? How glorious is Gods grace Overrule the foolishness of men and to bring Grace to bear to fulfil His will –
The fall is not total as seen earlier on, nor it is final. “How much more will their full inclusion mean”.
a. Israels fall has brought salvation to the Gentiles (Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles – initiated late in the program – who would have thought it??)
b. This salvation of the Gentiles will make Israel jealous and lead to her “fullness” taking place. c. Israel’s restoration and fullness will bring even greater blessings to the Gentiles.
WE WILL PICK THIS UP NEXT WEEK WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PRESENT WITH THE GENTILES I want to close off by looking at the parting shot as it were with God’s work with the nation of Israel –
C. The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation – (11v 25-32)
1. “Brothers” – speaking to Jew and Gentile believer who potentially see themselves above Israelites not believing – they are grace-remnants or “New Gentile heirs-of-the-Promise “. 2. This hardening of Israel is partial/temporal – it is only until the fullness of Gentiles has come in. Harvest quota filled - then Israel will also have its fullness come in.
3. Their opposition of the Gospel has made them enemies of God (that benefitted you as it allowed you in to the free gift of the Gospel).
4. Notwithstanding this they are loved on the basis of the promises to their forefathers. They cannot refuse God’s calling and so all Israel will be saved.
5. God’s mercy is to all and all need His grace as all are disobedient and have fallen short of the glory of God.
Conclusion
It would appear to me that we in our modern evangelical world have become very “me-centric” and we can be increasingly “individualistic” and “single centred”. We see only the work of the Spirit related to the individual and not the broader work that involves the Church community.
I see a great danger in minimising and reducing the importance and relevance of the Spirit’s work through the Church community to be the light, salt and balm to the people with us and those around us which we cannot be on our own.
Like the Israelites, the doing of religious circumcision and sacrifices become our table of w have lost the blessing and value of the community or corporate standing before God. We take the fellowship and Blessing of th Gospel that is available in the church community for granted.
God instituted the Church community.
We can also be blind to the blessings of the Community and we in our comfort can be unseeing and unhearing.