In Romans 11:1-15, Paul gives five reasons why it is evident that God has not forgotten his people the Jews.
- One of the reasons why God begin saving some of the Gentiles is that He desires to make Israel jealous. God is reaching Gentiles because, ultimately, He wants to reach the Jewish people.
- The Old Testament promises of worldwide blessing hinge upon the restoration of Israel to God.
- If the first Jews (the patriarchs, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob) could be made holy by God, then God is able to make Jews holy after thousands of years have passed. Therefore there is hope for Israel.
- Paul uses the figure of an olive tree. The natural branches of the tree are broken off and unnatural branches are grafted on. Jews who become Christians today are “completed Jews,” but Gentiles who become Christians become spiritual Jews.
Beginning in Romans 11:25, Paul explains the restoration that is coming to Israel.
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