Romans 11:1-2a I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew.
God did not reject Israel even though they have refused to listen to and accept the gospel. Paul’s own life as a Jew is a prime example. God had given Paul a new life, salvation, hope, eternal life in Jesus Christ. Paul’s testimony and that of other believing Jews should speak loudly to all people. Paul is an ethnic Jew, from Abraham and the tribe of Benjamin (see Philippians 3:4-6). He more than qualified to be part of the select people of God. But as he says in Philippians, this heritage was worthless compared to knowing Jesus Christ. Paul hoped that other Jews would come to believe, know, and experience this themselves. God did not reject the Jews but will continue to woo them through the testimony and miracles of other people. Verse 2 is difficult to interpret. Who are God’s people? Is that political Israel, ethnic Jews, Jews by name only, faithful and Orthodox Jews? There is no way to know, since Paul is expressing his deep hope here. We must trust God’s word through Paul to be inspired, but there still are uncertainties about how to interpret this chapter. I am always hesitant about people who make certain claims about Israel today or that God has different plan for Israel than for the church. There is one people of God. These people are those who trust God in faith. It has always been that way. Paul’s prayer is that the Jews will come to trust in God’s plan of salvation.
For older posts, click here.