Note for 20241112 - Romans - Part 13 - Divine Purpose

 

Romans - Part 13

Divine Purpose

The Audio Version of today’s note is advised.

The House of Bread · Voice Note for 20241112 - Romans - Part 13 - Divine Purpose

Romans 11:1-36 KJV

[1] I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, [3] Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. [4] But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. [5] Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. [6] And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. [7] What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded [8] (according as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. [9] And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, And a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: [10] Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow down their back alway. [11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [14] if by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. [15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? [16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.  [17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; [18] boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. [19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. [20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: [21] for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. [22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. [23] And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. [24] For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? [25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, And shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: [27] For this is my covenant unto them, When I shall take away their sins. [28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. [29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. [30] For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: [31] even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. [32] For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. [33] O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! [34] For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? [35] Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? [36] For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.11.1-36.KJV

Note for 20241112

I wonder... does this chapter answer questions you might have had regarding Israel?  Throughout the period of the early apostles, as well as what we have seen in the Gospels, the Jews acted in a hostile type of way. We have read about the trouble that came from the synagogues wherever the Gospel of Jesus was preached. But, we must not stand in ignorance of who Israel is to GOD, even His elect. 

Romans 11:28 KJV

[28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.11.28.KJV

Then, I remember the words of Christ, "...love thine enemy." Israel might still be the enemy of the Christian, we might see more of that, as we approach the end of this era. But, a child of GOD, should not stiffen his muscles against the beloved of GOD. Not, should we take it upon ourselves to become the judges of Israel, for Israel has One Judge, and He is the Most High GOD. Even so is He our Father in Heaven, Whom He adopted in Grace and Mercy.

What does this all mean, how can we speak about it in a simple way? GOD'S will be done, His Kingdom come. Just as David would not strike Saul, so will I not strike Israel. If they are filthy, then GOD will wash them clean. If they are guilty, then GOD will judge them. And if we are forgiven, who were found in sin; then may God do the same for His own. Does that mean that we ignore the pursuit of the Christians that has been in effect even since the cross of Christ? No, we acknowledge it, we see it and we forgive. Shall they yet pursue us in times to come? Can they change their ways before they recognize Christ as their Saviour? When they see Christ Jesus, for Who He is, then shall they be saved and we'll be joined together. For now, we wait for their blindness to come to an end, even as we know from the scriptures, how they might have to suffer more, before they will come to their senses. But, it will not be by my hand. No, for that, GOD elected a different branch, even the King that will come from the North.

How does the news read to you now, on this day? What is the report? And in a common speech, in a flat way, I ask you: do you think it wise to stick your nose in God's business? Shall mam stand in pride and meddle with GOD'S Plan? The answer, of course, we find in the Word of GOD as always. The whole world will rise up against Israel, but not me. No, not I; for GOD is the Judge of ALL. I was not called to rise against Israel. I was called to share the Gospel of the Salvation of mankind by faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. Though I may be considered a Gentile according to the old division, in Christ I am grafted in by the New Covenant, even by the Blood of the Lamb of GOD. There is then no more division in Salvation between the Jew and the Gentile. No, the division is by faith, in belief; and both of that can be changed in an instant, making enemies new found friends, even brothers and joint heirs of Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Have you seen the Divine intervention of GOD yet? Can you perceive it coming in the due season? Do we trust our eyes, or do we trust in the Word of GOD? By faith we are called to live. In this world, each has their natural enemies. Tell me, who has indignation against the Holy Covenant? See the true enemy, both of the Jew and Gentile. The true enemy hates Israel and the church of Christ. Until our Lord Jesus Christ returns, it will serve the Christian well to be mindful of Israel. You cannot beat a blind man for his inability to see. Israel is still standing in blindness now, but in the appointed time, as Paul writes here, their blindness will come to an end. Even when the number of the Gentiles are fully come in. See verse 25 again.

With Paul then, I stand in amazement at the Wonder of GOD'S divine plan. His will be done, for His Grace is sufficient for both you and me. I trust the Lord my God. He will save whom He pleases, just as He saved a sinner like me.

To GOD be the Honour, Glory and Praise. Hallelujah.

Shalom

The House of Bread

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App (Expanded from verse 19)

Psalm 68:19-24 KJV

[19] Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. [20]  He that is our God is the God of salvation; And unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death. [21] But God shall wound the head of his enemies, And the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses. [22] The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea: [23] That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, And the tongue of thy dogs in the same. [24] They have seen thy goings, O God; Even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.68.19-24.KJV

Then also this…

Psalm 68:18 KJV

[18] Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; Yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord GOD might dwell among them.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.68.18.KJV