Israel's Inclusion

We have asked the question has God rejected the church. The answer to that question is the same answer that Paul gave to the Jewish nation when he said has God rejected his people. The answer of course is a firm no. God has not rejected the church or the nation of Israel, but rather we have abandoned him. So then we ask the same question again that the apostle Paul asked. If it is by grace and not by works – what then? But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day." And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever." So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? Romans 11:6-15

God has used the hardened heart of Israel to be able to bring salvation to the entire world and not just to the Israelites alone. Through their rejection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the door was open so that we might have eternal life. All of this was by God’s gracious choice. Now Paul poses a most interesting question at this point. He says that if Israel’s rejection of Jesus has brought this much glory and honor to God as people of strange nations and tongues, then how much more glory will God get when Israel is fully included. Their rejection of Jesus meant reconciliation for the entire world, which was absolutely glorifying to God the Father. God by an act of grace and mercy reconciled the world to Himself, showing himself to be a loving Father who will forgive. What greater glory can God receive than that of millions and billions of people turning from idols and pagan practices to worship of the one true and living God?

However more glory, God will yet receive. A quick reading of the book of Revelation shows that God will work out his divine purpose for the nation of Israel before the end comes and heaven and earth are recreated. When Israel is fully included then these words will ring true and bring such glory and honor as never before seen. One day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This gospel will be preached as a testimony among all nations and then the end will come. God still is working out His plan. He is still seated on the throne and running the universe. Glory to God in the highest!