Hope

SCRIPTURE:
Romans 11:33-36 CSB - Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.
 
OBSERVATION:
In Romans chapter 11, Paul gives his final answer to the question of whether God has rejected the Jewish people.

The answer takes the form of two questions:

1) Has God rejected His people?
2) Have they (Jews) stumbled to fall?

To both questions, Paul gives a resounding answer: "Absolutely not!"

In addressing these questions, Paul gives us hope—hope that God is not finished with His chosen people. If He is not finished with them, surely He will not cast off those of us who are not natural branches but have been grafted in by His mercy.

Remnant of grace

There are Jewish believers—those who have come to know Jesus as the Messiah and have received His grace.

Romans 11:5-6 NKJV - Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Grafted In

Because of this temporary blindness, we, as the wild olive branches, have been grafted in – we have been shown mercy, a people who do not deserve it.

Romans 11:19-24 NKJV - You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in."  Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

Fulness of the Gentiles

When the time of the Gentiles draws to a close, God has a plan for Israel: All Israel will be saved.

Romans 11:25-26 NKJV – For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

This is the answer to the question raised in Romans 9–11: What about Israel? God is faithful, and His callings and election are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).

APPLICATION:
May this section give us hope for Israel, for others, and for you and me! He is faithful – it’s His nature. He is able to save. He saved you and me. He can save even the most ungodly, unrighteous, and evil among us.

Romans 11:36 NKJV - For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Keep praying for Israel and the lost. Pray for their eyes to be opened. God is faithful. He is the God of Hope.
 
PRAYER:
Father, please open the eyes of Israel—Your chosen people—to see the finished work of salvation in Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Lord, save us, we pray. As You open the eyes of Your chosen people, open the eyes of those around us—our families, loved ones, and friends—who need You. Let Your mercy and grace continue to bring salvation, for You alone are worthy and Your faithfulness never fails.