Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
11:1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an
Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
11:2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what
the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?
11:29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
11:30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy
because of their disobedience,
11:31 so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to
you, they too may now receive mercy.
11:32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful
to all.
This section should be read through to the end of the chapter. As I understand this passage, it is the culmination of Paul's survey of salvation history. This is about the unchanging God who acts towards all people in mercy. All have been disobedient. All stand in need of mercy. The Good News is that God's plan to save cannot be thwarted by human disobedience. In fact as seeming injustice can be used by him to achieve his ultimate purpose. FF Bruce and Paul Achtemier's commentaries are very helpful. A Canadian in Scotland.
Another thought. . .even Paul is grasping around the edges trying to understand it all. This is a mystery. Our God is unfathomable in the wealth of his wisdom and knowledge. To be able to trust that God is in control even when it seems that he is not - even when things seem to be (or are) unfair - is to have faith in a God (who is not cute and cuddly to be put in a box) who is all-powerful, all- knowing, but most importantly MERCIFUL. A Canadian in Scotland.
KatinPA, I don't know about the CEV. You might want to read all of chapters 9-11, which revolve around the subject of the Jewish people and God's plan and Paul's outlook and feeling about the division that has arisen by the majority of his own people's rejection of Christ. I agree with Canadian in Scotland that the emphasis here seems to be God's mercy and the wonderousness of that character. I may use this passage to encourage everyone in interfaith dialogue. -AEA
Paul tells us that God’s gifts are irrevocable and that we receive his mercy. In the next few verses he praised Gods rich glories. I too agree that the emphasis is on God’s “mercy and the wonderousness of that character.” I will preach at 3 small churches, and will have Baptism for an infant at one of the churches. I think I will use three points.
First, from the United Methodist hymnal, the idea that there exist spiritual forces of wickedness, evil powers, and personal sins that we are to reject, renounce, and repent from. We are all born into a world of sin.
Second, we need unity in our communities to build a society in which to rear our infants. We need to work together to pay taxes to hire teachers and buy school buses. We need to have volunteers in the church to teach Christ to our young. We need to avoid divisions whether they are denominational, ethnic, or racial. By this, we can renounce some of the evil in the world.
Finally, the hope for the future of society is represented by our children. But, greater than that is our hope in Christ. The life we live on this side of the river is only the vaguest of reflections of the wonders of our eternal life. The hardships and difficulties stemming from the forces of wickedness, evil, and sin cannot separate us from the love of Christ. Neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height not depth, nor anything in creation, will be about to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In His name, Leon
