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Bible Study Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (30-8-78 Strandtown Baptist Church)
Basic problem – fact of unbelieving Israel. Shows that
God is not under obligation to save Israel if she has rejected His terms of
salvation by faith. Their refusal of God’s terms was predicted by the
prophets. But God’s long-suffering towards Israel was not exhausted. Holds out
hope of glorious future for Israel. Present situation is not final. Blessedness
of Gentiles will provoke unbelieving Israel to emulation, and therefore to
regain lost fellowship with God by faith. Israel’s restoration to be
associated with marvellous blessings to the world.
So far blessing on Jews is
confined to godly remnant amid national degeneracy. But to be more widespread
blessing in future days. God hath not cast away His people whom He foreknew (Romans
11:2), i.e. not just foresight, but note with pleasure “loved”. Historical
analogy –at the time of Elijah there was also a godly remnant unknown to
entire nation, 7000 who had not bowed knee to Baal (11:4). And now, says Paul,
there is a remnant related to God on basis of grace and not works. Through this
remnant God makes provision for the future. Meanwhile, the rest are hardened –
a statement which is corroborated by quotations from Isaiah 29:10, Deuteronomy
29:4 and Psalm 69:22-23. The majority are therefore still seeking righteousness
by works. But there are the few who are enjoying salvation through grace by
faith. Hardening of heart of the majority was because of their sin and
rebellion.
Much about God is seen in
vv1-10. The Apostle Paul builds a monument of Divine mercy. We need not despair
of the hardest case. The Jewish nation is a monument of Divine faithfulness to
His promises regarding the Jews, despite their sin. The godly remnant is a
monument of Divine mercy. (In most corrupt countries, God has some true
followers. God is never without His witnesses.) Rebellious majority are monument
to Divine justice (Warnings about becoming over familiar with divine truth, i.e.
“Gospel-hardened”).
But though this is the present situation of the great
majority of the nation, a great change is coming. This temporary hardening is,
in fact, in preparation for future restoration. Israel’s ruin is not final or
permanent. God’s over-ruling of the situation is in evidence. Fact of Gentile
salvation is, in turn, intended to stir the Jews, and to cause the Jews to wish
for and accept the same Saviour. Israel’s restoration must lead to
super-abundant blessing. If, by the fall of the Jews, the world received the
Gospel, how much more will the world be blessed through the return and
restoration of Jews to Christ. Reception back again is to be of infinitely
greater value to the world than their fall – indeed the restoration of the
Jews will be life from the dead (v15). Therefore wholesale salvation of
Jews to bring spiritual revival to the church.
Two metaphors in v.16 about the
restoration of the Jews – (1) the first fruits and the lump, and (2) root and
branches. The patriarchs were the first fruits from whom the lump (i.e. the
people) descended. They made pledge of consecration of the whole nation. So
again Abraham was the Root, and the Branches were his descendents. He made
earnest promise of great future for his race.
In summary, therefore, the
problem of human sin in relationship to God is still with us.
1.
God’s promise and human sin. In the Old Testament, there were promises
of the Messiah with spiritual blessings. But alas Jews not accept the promise.
So today.
2.
God’s providence and human sin. God used Israel’s rejection to cause
Gentiles to be saved. Then He used that to stir up Jews to awareness of need.
3.
God’s purpose. God over-ruled deepest iniquity to bless the whole
world.
4. God’s power. Sin is not to be victorious. But if we wait long enough we may see divine power is not really thwarted. Grace is, in the long run, omnipotent. Though evil is great, sin’s power is limited. In spite of appearances to the contrary “The Lord God omnipotent reigneth”.
