Introduction, v. 1a
“Hath God cast away His people? God forbid!”
The Personal Testimony, v. 1b
A. “I am an Israelite and God saved me!”
B. Paul’s salvation experience is a picture of how Israel will be converted at the Second Coming of Christ, 1 Timothy 1:16.
1. Now, they are in rebellion and unbelief.
2. They will see Him whom they pierced, Zechariah 12:10 and Revelation 1:7.
3. They will repent and be saved.
4. Paul said he was “born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:8). As a Jew, he saw Christ and was saved long before his people would have the same experience.
The Historical Testimony, vv. 2-10
A. In Elijah’s day, God reserved 7000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal, vv. 2-4.
B. God has a remnant of saved Jews in the church now by grace. God has never forsaken His people.
C. The vast majority of Israel today is blind, vv. 5-10.
The Dispensational Testimony, vv. 11-24
A. Through Israel’s fall, God was able to commit all people to disobedience, and have mercy on all, especially Gentiles, vv. 11-14, 32.
B. The restoration of Israel will bring resurrection to the world, v. 15.
C. The Parable of the Olive Tree
1. This is not about the salvation of individual Christians, but the position of Jews and Gentiles in the plan of God.
2. Israel is the olive tree that failed to bear fruit.
3. God broke off some branches and grafted in branches of a “wild olive tree”–the Gentiles.
a. Normally, one grafts in good branches into the poorer stock. This is “contrary to nature,” v. 24.
b. God grafted in the weak Gentiles into the good stock of Israel’s religious privileges.
c. This demonstrates the goodness and severity of God: His goodness in saving Gentiles; His severity in cutting off rebellious Israel.
4. Gentiles dare not boast, for God can cut them off too!
The Biblical Testimony, vv. 25-36
A. The Mystery of Israel’s blindness
1. Israel today is blind to the work of God.
2. “The fulness of the Gentiles” refers to the number of Gentiles that will be saved during this church age.
3. When the body of Christ is complete, He will rapture the church.
4. The seven-year Tribulation, “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7) begins.
5. At the end of the Tribulation, the Deliverer will come, and the believing remnant will enter into His kingdom.
B. The New Covenant with Israel, see Jeremiah 31:31-34, v. 27.
C. Biblical Summary, vv. 30-32
1. Gentiles at one time rejected God (Romans 1:18), but are now saved by faith.
2. Jews today are in unbelief, but will one day receive mercy.
3. God committed both Jews and Gentiles to unbelief and sin, that He might be able to save both through grace, v. 32.
Conclusion, vv. 33-36
After reviewing God’s gracious and wise plan for both Jews and Gentiles, is it any wonder Paul broke out in a hymn of praise to the Lord!