7 What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,

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

17 Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root,

19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.”

25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, 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 remove godlessness from Jacob.

33 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

— Romans 11: 11:7, 15, 17, 19, 25-26, 33, 36

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

God works to save sinners. God worked through the rejection of Jesus by most of His chosen people to reach the Gentiles with the gospel. God also uses the Gentiles’ embrace of the gospel to provoke Israel to jealousy, so that He may do a great work among them too. In the process, God will keep promises He made to Israel, showing He keeps His word to us about deliverance for those who embrace Him. In the book of Romans, Paul offered a triumphant conclusion: “In this way, all Israel will be saved.”

Ultimately, history is God’s story – the story of Jesus and God’s choice of Israel for Himself. The meaning of history is centered on God’s faithfulness of carrying out His salvation plan to save people who are created with His own image and likeness. God works in all things to perfect and glorify His people so they can live with Him forever. This tremendous thought should cause us to burst out in glorious praising doxologies to God. (Inspired by BSF’s Study of Romans)