The Restoration of Israel and Its Surety

Paul’s Attempt, Restoration of Israel
Romans 11: 13–15

Introduction

The callous on a man’s heart does not have to be final. Every man can repent and turn to Christ and be restored to God. This is the message of this passage. The callous on Israel’s heart is not final. There is to be a restoration of Israel. Many in Israel are going to return to God and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

I.   Proof 1: God has counteracted Israel’s stumbling over Christ (vv. 11-12).

II.   Proof 2: Paul tried to stir the Jews to be saved (vv. 13-15).

III.   Proof 3: the forefathers, that is, the patriarchs, passed down a heritage of holiness (v. 16).

Romans 11: 13–15   Paul’s Attempt, Restoration of Israel

Proof two is Paul’s attempt to stir the Jews to be saved. Paul was God’s primary minister to the Gentiles in the first century. Paul magnified the ministry and gloried in God’s call, and he stressed the fact every chance he could. Why? Paul had two purposes.

1.   He wanted to arouse the Jews to envy; that is, he wanted to stir them to look at Christ, and to see what Christ had done for the Gentiles. He wanted to stir men to look at the lives of believers and to see the wonderful change Christ had wrought. Thereby, Paul hoped that some Jews would be saved.

2.   Paul wanted to hasten the day for Israel’s restoration. He knew there was to be a restoration; therefore, he knew that every time he was able to reach a Jew for Christ, the callous on Israel’s heart would soften a little more. The more he could soften the callous, the sooner the restoration would take place. Note the question of Paul:

Rom 11:15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

a.   The reconciliation of the world has a twofold meaning. It means...

•   that all men, both Jew and Gentile can now be reconciled to God. All men can now have peace with God and possess the peace of God (see Peace, Rom. 5:1; Reconciliation, Rom 5:10; Jn. 14:27).

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

2 Cor 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

Col 1:20 And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

•   that all men, both Jew and Gentile, can now be reconciled to each other (see Eph. 2:13-18).

Eph 2:16 And in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

b.   Paul believed strongly in the restoration of Israel. The very fact that he asked the question indicates his belief. He firmly expected Israel to be restored, and he expected their restoration to bring such a great revival to earth that it would be like the world moving to “life from the dead.”

c.   The phrase “life from the dead” is interpreted several ways.

=>  Some say it refers to the resurrection of the dead, to the climax of human history when Jesus Christ shall return to deliver the whole creation from corruption and to rule and reign over the world (see Rom. 8:21). This, of course, would mean that believers are not resurrected until the restoration of the Jews to God.

=>  Others say it is merely figurative language. When the Jews are restored, it will be like a resurrection, like gaining life from the dead.

Whatever the interpretation, the restoration of Israel will be a most glorious event, an event so glorious that it will be like a true resurrection. It will lead to a new world, a world of righteousness that will benefit all involved. The scene is that the most glorious blessings will be poured out upon the whole world and everyone in it.

Jer 24:7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Ezek 37:10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet — a vast army.

Luke 15:24 ‘For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Rom 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Eph 1:18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

Eph 2:4-7 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

1 Tim 1:14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ♣

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The Restoration of Israel and Its Surety
Romans 11: 28–32

Introduction

Israel’s history is a surety. God loves man with an infinite love, and God’s love is unchangeable. Therefore, any person can be restored to God if the person will call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Christ to save him. This is clearly seen in the history of Israel. Israel’s restoration is a surety and, as such, stands as a prime example of the unchangeable love of God toward man.

I.   Surety 1: God’s great revelation about the Jews (vv. 25-26).

II.   Surety 2: the promise of Scripture — God’s Deliverer, Jesus Christ, shall turn Israel and take away their sins (vv. 26-27).

III.   Surety 3: God’s pleasure with Israel’s forefathers (vv. 28-29).

IV.   Surety 4: the believer’s mercy and witness to the Jews (vv. 30-31).

V.   Surety 5: God’s holiness and mercy (v. 32).

VI.   Surety 6: God’s glorious plan for the world (vv. 33-36).

I. Romans 11: 28–29   God’s Promise to the Patriarchs

The third surety is God’s pleasure with Israel’s forefathers or patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).

1.   The statement “they [the Jews] are enemies on your account” sounds as though God predestined Israel’s rejection. However, God does not cause sin (Jas. 1:13-14); God does not cause people to reject His Son and His will. What the statement means is this: the word “enemy” (echthroi) has both an active and passive meaning. It means either hostile or hated by, and it means either hating or being hated. It is possible that in this particular passage it is to be read both ways. The Jews were hostile to God; they had refused the offer of God’s righteousness in Jesus Christ, and they had refused to be the missionary force for God’s Son. Therefore, they had aroused God’s displeasure. They hated God; consequently, God was displeased with them.

Note that God did what He had to do. He turned to the Gentiles. Israel had refused to be the missionary force for God’s Son, so God had to turn to the Gentiles. Among the Gentiles, God found a receptive people. The Gentiles accepted the offer of God’s righteousness in Jesus Christ, and they have become the missionary force for Christ to the world. It is critical to remember something, however: this does not mean that every Gentile is saved. Most are not, but a fair number of them have accepted and still do accept Jesus Christ. We must remember this: in this passage God is speaking nationally, not individually.

=>  A few Jews do accept Christ as the Messiah, but the number is small. The number is so small that God can say that Israel as a nation has rejected Christ.

=>  A far greater number of Gentiles accept Christ as their Saviour. However, as is clearly evidenced by the unholy lives of most Gentiles, the majority reject Christ; but the number who do accept Him is fairly large. It is large enough for God to say that the Gentiles as a community do accept His offer of salvation in Christ.

Thought 1. The point is that God is speaking nationally, not individually. And we must remember this, for it is absolutely essential for everyone to make a personal decision to receive Christ and to follow Him by living a pure life.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

2.   The statement “they [the Jews] are loved on account of the patriarchs” shows that God still loves Israel. As a people they are still very precious to Him. How can this be when they have been so hostile to God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and against the missionary force of God’s Son? There are two reasons why God still loves Israel.

a.   The forefathers or patriarchs of Israel were a godly people, a people of unusual faith in God. (See Rom. 11:16; also see Israel, Seed of Abraham, Rom. 4:l-25.) There were people such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Ruth, Elijah — the list could go on and on. As Scripture says:

Heb 11:32-38 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated — the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

Such godly men and women knew God — knew Him personally and intimately — and God would never forget a people who loved Him so greatly. Keep this in mind as well: godly people are a praying people, a people who pray for their families and neighbours, for their nation and world. And God hears and answers the prayers of His people. God would never turn His back upon Israel for this reason alone.

b.   There is a second reason why God still loves Israel: God Himself is unchangeable in His gifts and calling. God called and promised some very special gifts to the patriarchs, the forefathers of Israel, and God is unchangeable; therefore...

•   every purpose for which God called Israel shall be fulfilled in the lives of many Jews.

•   every gift God promised Israel shall be given to many Jews.

The point is striking. God does not change His mind. He is constant, immutable, unchangeable. He shall perfectly fulfil His calling and gifts to Israel.

Psa 33:11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Psa 102:27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

Psa 135:13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, through all generations.

Psa 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

Mal 3:6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”

Heb 1:12 “You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Rev 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

II.   Romans 11: 30–31   Mercy and Witness of Believers

The fourth surety is the believer’s mercy and witness to the Jews. These two verses are speaking historically. Very simply, history shall be repeated.

=>  In times past — before Christ ever came — the Gentiles did not know and obey God, but the Jews did.

=>  Eventually, the Jews rejected God which is ultimately seen in their killing God’s Son, Jesus Christ. They, too, failed to believe (obey God).

=>  Therefore, God turned to the Gentiles.

Now note: if we came to know God through the unbelief of the Jews, how much more shall the Jews be shown mercy through the mercy of the Gentiles! To word the matter another way...

•   if mercy resulted from unbelief, how much more shall mercy result from mercy?

•   if mercy to the Gentiles came through the unbelief of the Jews, how much more shall mercy to the Jews come through the mercy of the Gentiles?

The point seems to be this: we truly know the mercy of God through Jesus Christ our Lord; therefore, we want the world to experience the same mercy and forgiveness of sins. In particular, we feel indebted to the Jews, the people through whom God gave us His Word, His Son, and His promises. Therefore, Scripture predicts that the evangelistic efforts to reach the Jews will someday bear fruit. The Jews will be reached by the mercy of God; they shall believe and obey Jesus Christ as Lord. The Jews shall be restored into the favour of God.

Thought 1. Every believer who knows the mercy of God should share the mercy of God. God hates exclusiveness, prejudice, partiality. The world desperately needs the gospel, the Jew as well as the Gentile, and God demands that His mercy be shared with the world.

John 20:21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

2 Cor 5:19-20 That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

III.   Romans 11: 32   Mercy and Holiness of God

The fifth surety is God’s holiness and mercy. The word “bound” (sunekleisen) means to shut up in a place, to close up, to lock up. This is an unusual idea: God has taken men, both Jews and Gentiles, and shut them up to disobedience (apeitheian). This is the judicial judgment of God (see Judicial Blindness and Rejection, Rom. 11:7-10; Rom. 1:24; Unbelief, Judicial Judgement, Jn. 12:39-41). It is the picture of God using sin and events for good. God takes sin and works it out for the good of the world. Man has chosen sin, choosing to go his own way in life, so God allows man to do his own thing. God locks man up in his own world of selfishness, allowing man to roam around in his world of sin. Why? So that man’s true nature of sinfulness will be clearly seen, and thereby cause the honest and thinking man to seek God. God wishes and will have mercy upon all, both Jew and Gentile; but before men can come to God, they must confess two things:

=>  that they are sinful and dying creatures in desperate need of God.

=>  that God exists and that He will have mercy upon the person who diligently seeks Him.

Now note: all men, both Jew and Gentile, are shut up in their world of sin. Why? That God may have mercy upon both. The holiness and love of God assures that the Jews will be saved and restored to the mercy of God. All that is needed is for the Jews to begin seeking God. God will have mercy upon any who genuinely seek Him.

Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Deu 4:29 But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

2 Chr 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Psa 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.

Prov 8:7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

Jer 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Lam 3:22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fail.

Joel 2:13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. ♣

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