The Bigger Picture Romans 11:25~36
25
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
26
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27
And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
28
As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,
29
for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.
30
Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,
31
so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you.
32
For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
33
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
34
"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
35
"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV ®. COPYRIGHT ⓒ 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Unfathomable Mercy (11:25-32)
Just as God had mercy on the Gentiles, He will again have mercy on the rebellious Israelites. There is a future for Israel if it does not persist in unbelief, for God’s hardening of their hearts is only “in part” (v. 25). Although what Paul means by “all Israel” is debatable, it is certain that God has not abandoned His people for His gift and call are irrevocable (v. 29). We were once rebellious but found mercy in God’s eyes; so too will the Israelites?no one deserves God’s mercy, but He will have mercy on all, both Gentiles and Israelites (v. 32). God knows our wicked hearts, and He knows how depraved we are. His mercy is a free gift for us, not something that we have earned. We cannot do anything good without God’s mercy; we must constantly rely on Him, for He alone is our hope and goodness.
God’s Mysterious Ways (11:33-36)
God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isa. 55: 9). Although some mysteries are revealed, we certainly cannot fathom the profound reality of God’s mysterious thoughts. Paul concludes his thoughts regarding the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles with a joyful exclamation of praise: how rich and deep are the wisdom and knowledge of God (v. 33)! Paul is not expressing frustration. Rather, he is humbly acknowledging that human knowledge is myopic; at the same time, he is expressing thanks to God for revealing some of His truths to humanity. This should be our attitude as well. We have confidence and assurance that God Himself first chose to reveal Himself to us; we ought to be faithful stewards of His revelation. We must also remember that not all of the mystery is revealed to us, and His wisdom is unfathomable.
- God’s mercy is a free gift. Do you freely show mercy and kindness to your fellow brothers and sisters and towards outsiders?
- Do you listen to God’s voice when you pray, or do you insist on your own ways with God, hoping that He will listen to your list of wishes? Do you trust that His ways are higher than our ways?
Almighty God, I know Your ways are higher than my ways, but so many times I rely on my own wisdom and knowledge. Give me Your heavenly wisdom, and help me rely on You. Thank You for Your free gift of mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
