“Those who were Chosen Obtained it”

(Romans 11:1-10 NASB) "I say then, God has not rejected His people, (the Jews) has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. {2} God has not rejected His people whom He FOREKNEW. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? {3} "Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED THY PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN THINE ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE." {4} But what is the divine response to him? "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL." (The children of Israel were prone to serve Baal. See Nu 25:3 Jg 2:14; 3:7. Jeremiah reproached the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem with "building the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt-offerings unto Baal," Jer 19:5.) {5} In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a REMNANT according to God's gracious choice. {6} But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. {7} What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen (from among the Jews) obtained it, and the rest were hardened; {8} just as it is written, "GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY." {9} And David says, "LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM. {10} "LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER (laboring to gain God’s favor by works) ".

A brief review of Romans one through ten will soon make clear Paul’s central theme, which is justification by faith alone in Christ alone. Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome to make certain that its leaders and members understood and then taught the truth about salvation by faith. Paul makes clear the fact that a sinner cannot be saved by works, ceremony, ancestral connection, baptism, or circumcision. These are all errors common to works based religions like Judaism. But Paul insists that if a sinner is to be saved it will be through a whole-hearted faith and commitment to Jesus Christ the Lord without trusting in anything else. Paul has been careful to give credit where credit is due by helping his readers understand that the sinners faith in Christ and the resulting salvation caused and brought to pass by God setting His love on the sinner not the other way around. Whether Jew or Gentile we must never forget that we love Him because He first loved us.

In short Paul has proven his case. Sinners can only be saved from the coming wrath of God by trusting in Jesus. If the Jew was to be saved he or she must turn by faith to the very one they crucified. But, instead, they rejected Him and continued trying to gain true righteousness by the works of their own hands. It wasn’t that they lacked opportunity. For God had stretched out His arms to Israel for centuries but in stubborn obstinacy and blindness they rejected and killed their only hope of redemption.

In light of Israel’s rebellion Paul now asks this question, “Has God rejected the Jews so that none of them will ever be saved?” The answer takes up the whole of chapter eleven. I hope to deal with this wonderful portion of scripture in four lessons breaking up the chapter as follows. Verses 1-10, then 11-24, 25-32, and finally verses 33-36. Verse thirty-two is the theme verse for the chapter.

(Romans 11:32 NASB) "For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all." The glorious nature of this text will come to light as we move through the chapter. But for now we deal with verses one through ten.

Paul’s first argument against the idea of the total Divine rejection of Israel is a simple but powerful one. (Romans 11:1 NASB) "I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin." Paul was a Christian Jew. If there was no more evidence than this it was certain proof that God had not cast off Israel entirely. Paul, a Jew, had been saved, therefore God has not cast off all Jews. That Paul was a pure blood Jew is made clear in, Philippians 3:4-6 NASB. "although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: {5} circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; {6} as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless."

Paul was a direct descendant not only of Abraham, but of Abraham Isaac, and of Jacob’s son, Benjamin. Therefore, he could call himself a Jew of Jews, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Jew if there ever was one. I, says Paul, am living proof that God has not rejected every single person in the nation of Israel. So, even though the vast majority of Jews want nothing to do with Christ, one must not conclude that God has rejected the entire race.

Paul continues making his case in verse two. (Romans 11:2-4 NASB) "God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? {3} "Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED THY PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN THINE ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE." {4} But what is the divine response to him? "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL." (See I Kings 19:1-18)

We read this morning, in our bulletins, about this event in Elijah’s life. He was the despondent, rejected, persecuted, preaching, prophet of God. He had witnessed Israel’s corporate rebellion against his Father and, therefore, prayed against them. “Lord they have killed they prophets, they have torn down your altars and I alone am left and they are seeking my life.” Elijah had preached his heart out. He had given up his life for truth, for God, for his people, but to no apparent good. AS FAR AS HE COULD SEE, he was the last of the God fearing men in all Israel and would have God judge that wicked nation.

{4} But what is the divine response to him? "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL."

These words reveal what Elijah, or any other minister of the Gospel, could discover with his five senses. That among the rebellious millions were seven thousand men who God had set aside for Himself. They were men whom God preserved and would continue to preserve from permanent unbelief and idolatry. These were men chosen by God to be saved at the appointed time. The thing that set these apart form the rest was God’s “Foreknowledge.” "God has not rejected His people whom He FOREKNEW.”

This word speaks of God setting His love upon a people and in consequence of that love making certain determinations about them. To be quite specific, God set His love upon these seven thousand people and determined not only that they would not go off into permanent rebellion and idolatry like the rest, but that they would be saved from the wrath to come by faith in the coming Messiah. All those whom God foreknows He saves. Let me say it again since it is an uncommon statement and so very important. All those whom God foreknows He saves. A momentary revisiting of Romans eight will help confirm this truth.

(Romans 8:28-30 NASB) "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. {29} For whom He FOREKNEW, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; {30} and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." This golden chain of events always results in the salvation of the individual. If God “foreknows” a person, in the way our text uses the word, that person will in time be saved. For God will bring it to pass.

This word, “foreknow,” does not refer to God’s Omniscience, the fact that He knows all things and all people in all ages and places. If this was how Paul used the word foreknowledge in our texts we would have to believe in universal salvation. For God does indeed have foreknowledge in the sense of knowing all things at all times, God is Omniscient. But this cannot be what Paul means for in both Romans 8:28-30 and our text in Romans eleven Paul declares that God saves all He foreknows. But we know that God does not save all men, therefore, this cannot be the meaning of the word. This word “foreknow” has a special meaning and application that reaches beyond the Omniscience of God. This word has to do with God setting His love upon a people, His elect from every nation under the sun, and then ordaining all things necessary to their salvation in time. Let me read Romans 8:28-30 again. “For whom He FOREKNEW, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; {30} and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."

Paul point is this. That although the vast majority of Israel may have rejected God and He them, “God has not rejected His people whom He FOREKNEW.” You see there is the Nation as a whole and within that nation there is a group of people who God foreknew in the sense that He intends to save them. They are the elect Jews within the nation of Jews.

Paul has taught this repeatedly, the truth and fact of Divine election. He has used the Old Testament scriptures to show that in the darkest of times, spiritually speaking, God always has a people set aside and kept by grace for Himself who He will be saved in time. He now brings his discussion of past events into the present saying, in Romans 11:5-6 "In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant (a small part of the greater whole) ACCORDING TO GOD'S GRACIOUS CHOICE. {6} But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, (as the Jews and many today believe) otherwise grace is no longer grace."

There was a remnant in Elijah’s day, and, says the apostle, there is a remnant today. In every age there is a remnant of man that will be saved ACCORDING TO GOD’S GRACIOUS CHOICE. These are men and women who will be preserved from the damnation due them. How so? By the electing, imposing, and saving grace of God. By the work of God the Holy Spirit in their hearts raising them from the dead and giving the gifts of faith and repentance toward Christ.

Romans nine and verse sixteen must never be far from our minds when we are talking about the salvation of sinners. (Romans 9:16 NASB) "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." The “it” in question is salvation and everything that has to do with salvation. Salvation does not depend on the exercise of man’s will or the putting forth of effort, rather, salvation is of and by and through and because of God’s Gracious Choosing. The saved are not the objects of God’s mercy because of something He saw in them but because He foreknew them, loved them before time began and determined to save them in spite of their sin. That is why and how sinners have been and will be saved. God sets His love on the ungodly sons and daughters of Adam and then does all things necessary to save them. This is the meaning of the word foreknew in our text.

Paul chooses his words very carefully so that when a Jew finds himself believing in Jesus for salvation he will not think he has somehow earned the position. Paul wants it understood that there are no works involved anywhere in salvation. It is all of grace lest any man should boast. Yes some Jews were being saved but their salvation then as now was based on God’s gracious choice of them not their presentation of works to Him. For “the just shall live by faith.” Lets continue in verse seven.

(Romans 11:7-10 NASB) "What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, (Israel as a whole was seeking acceptance with God. The problem was they were seeking it the wrong way, through works or keeping the law, or doing good deeds. Therefore, they had not found or obtained salvation simply because it cannot be had in that way.) but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; (Those who were “foreknown”, who God set His love upon in eternity past, those chosen for salvation obtained salvation. The rest, whose minds were set on pleasing God by works, had their hearts hardened all the more.) {8} just as it is written, "GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY." {9} And David says, "LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM. {10} "LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS (that is, continue trying to please God by the works of the flesh. . . ) FOREVER ."

“What then?” Paul asks in verse seven. What conclusions must we come to in light of what our Brother has taught us? We must conclude first of all, that what Israel was and continues to seek to this day has not and will not be obtained. One cannot find acceptance with God on the basis of works, law keeping, baptism, ancestry, church association, or anything of the like. Anyone who seeks God through anything or anyone but Jesus Christ the Lord will perish in their sins. Therefore, all those who adhere strictly to the tenants of Judaism then or now will perish in their sins because it is a religion of works. So, the first conclusion is that what Israel was seeking for they did not and will not obtain. Paul made this very clear in Romans 9:30-33 where he said, "What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; {31} but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. {32} Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, {33} just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." All the prophets up to and including John the Baptist pointed the Jews to Jesus but they stumbled over the idea of a suffering Savior and refused to put their faith in Him. That is why they would never obtain acceptance with God.

There is a second conclusion that must be drawn. Those Jews who were chosen by God for salvation did obtain what the entire nation was seeking but could not obtain. They obtained this salvation, this acceptance with God, by submitting to His way of saving sinners. Which is by faith in His beloved Son Jesus Christ who is the Lord. But the thing we must focus on and think carefully about is the phrase, “Those who were chosen obtained it.” Those who were chosen were saved from the wrath to come. Not those who worked the hardest, or lived the best. Not the man who willed it or the man who ran the fastest but those who were chosen by God for salvation, these and these alone, were saved by faith in Jesus. These did not stumble over the great cornerstone, these were not offended by a crucified Savior.

Those whom God foreknew obtained a true righteousness by faith and were saved. Why these and not the rest? I don’t know the answer to that question but I do know that as concerns the people loved by God in eternity past that He does all things necessary for their salvation. That it is all of grace without human contribution is made clear in Romans 8:29-30. "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; {30} and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." Notice the glaring absence of human involvement. The elect or chosen of god will be called, caused, and enabled to come to faith in Jesus the Lord. They are, therefore, justified and assured of eternal life.

Paul’s treatment of the Jews salvation and rejection in Romans eleven helps us understand a text like Matthew 22:14 where we read, "For many are called, but few are chosen." In other words, the Jewish nation, as a whole, was called to greatness, much usefulness, and privilege, but only a few of them were chosen to eternal salvation. “Many were called to fill the purposes of God in many ways but few were chosen to inherit eternal life. That is the meaning of Matthew 22:14. The rest, Paul declares in verse seven of Ramans eleven, were hardened. “those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened.”

As uncomfortable as the idea may be to some we must take these words to mean exactly what they say. God hardened the hearts of these people beyond the hardness already present in them because of sin. These were not men and women anxious to go to God through faith in Christ. Quite the contrary, they were rebels at heart, murders of the prophets, and of Christ. They had the opportunity to repent but they refused. In Romans 10:21 we read, "But as for Israel He says, "ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE."

The Israelites were a hard-hearted people. They had hardened their own hearts against God and His Christ, therefore, God hardened them all the more. Even those destined to be saved were not completely immune to this hardheartedness. Consider the apostle Paul. We know that he was one of God’s elect, one whom God loved before the world began, yet he once hated Christ and had Christians put to death. Praise God the hardness in the hearts of God’s elect people is temporary. For the rest, however, the news is not as good.

(Romans 11:8 NASB) "just as it is written, "GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY."

This “spirit of stupor” resembles a deep sleep in which one is insensitive to what is going on around him. This person has eyes, i.e., a mind, but cannot see or understand the truth. He has ears but cannot hear or understand the truth. This was the case with the majority of Jews in Paul’s day and is the case with millions of Jews and Gentiles today. Paul continues in verse nine.

(Romans 11:9 NASB) "And David says, "LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM."

This statement speaks of the confidence and comfort the Jews found in God’s kindness toward them. On a day-to-day basis He provided food for their tables which they mistook for love and Divine favor. The Bible tells us that God provides food, shelter, and clothing for His bitterest enemies. Such common grace was not a sign that God was happy with the Jews neither is it a sign that He is happy with a Gentile like you and I. Yet they believed that it was. Paul addressed this misunderstanding in the second chapter of this book.

(Romans 2:4-6 NASB) "Or do you think lightly of, (take for granted and interpret wrongly) the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? {5} But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, {6} who WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS." In other words, God’s care for and kindness toward the unbeliever is not a sign of approval but of God’s mercy toward the sinner giving him time to repent. But the Jews believed that a full table of food meant that God was happy with them therefore, that table was a stumbling block, something that stood between them and the truth. This misunderstanding of God’s kindness kept them from seeing their need to flee to Jesus.

Verse ten continues the description of judicial hardening. (Romans 11:10 NASB) "LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER." God willed then and now that that many thousands among men not understand the gospel of unmerited favor by faith in Jesus the Lord. God willed that they continue to bend their backs in an effort to earn their way to Heaven. God willed that they carry the burden of making ones self perfect according to the law of God. Which of course will lead them into hell. For no man has ever or will ever be justified by the works of the law. For the just shall live by faith in Christ alone. God has shut many out of the kingdom but not all for those who are chosen obtain eternal salvation. And who are these people? How do you identify the Elect of God? How do you know if you are among those God intends to save? Well, you will not and cannot know in any way but one. When you have run to Christ for the salvation of your soul you will have settled the question but not until then

Do you want to be made right with God today? Do you desire the forgiveness of your sins and heaven forever? If so you must turn from your stubbornness, turn from your disobedience, leave your unbelief behind and trust in Christ for salvation. Believe in Him now, do it today lest God harden your heart against His Son forever. You and I have no guarantee that we will be concerned with our sins tomorrow or ever again for that matter. God may curse us with more stubbornness than we have at this moment in our lives so that we will never again have any inclination to repent. There is such a thing as God hardening the hearts of men for their continued sin and rebellion. Therefore, each man must consider the conviction of his sins today as a great blessing from God. Such a man should flee to Jesus immediately while there is time and opportunity. For when it comes to eternal matters tomorrow may not present the same opportunities as today does. Therefore, I beg you to heed the instruction and promises found in chapter ten of this letter. Where we read,

(Romans 10:8-13 NASB) ". . . . . . THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, {9} that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; {10} for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. {11} For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." {12} For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; {13} for "WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." Those who were chosen by God for salvation will obtain it. But they will not obtain it unless and until they call upon Him for His grace and mercy.

(Isaiah 55:6-7 NASB) "Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. {7} Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon."