The Mysterious Plan of Salvation

To the uninformed and un-converted Jew the book of Romans must be, at the very least, disturbing. For in it the Holy Spirit undermines and overthrows the whole of Judaism. The theme of Romans is, “Justification by Faith,” the proving of which requires that the futility of human works be clearly shown. By the time one gets to the eleventh chapter this has been done again and again. Paul makes it clear that there is nothing a sinner can do to make himself acceptable to God. Therefore, Judaism and all other works based religions are false religions that lead to hell. Naturally the question comes to mind, “Does this mean that all Jews have been cast off by God? Does this mean that people of Jewish decent cannot be saved from the wrath to come? Paul answers these questions with a resounding; “No,” it does not mean that at all.

In Romans nine and ten Paul made it very clear that although God will not and never has intended to save every person of Jewish descent He has determined to save a remnant of that nation just as He will save a remnant of every nation. The first ten verses of chapter eleven emphasize this truth once again. Let’s review this text on our way to our new material.

(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. (I am a Jew, God has saved me, therefore . . .) {2} God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. (The word foreknew speaks of God setting His love upon a people with the intent of saving them by faith in Christ. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew in this sense.) 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." (In other words, God had set His love upon seven thousand people out of the millions in Israel. These He had kept from idol worship and, in time, He caused them to love and worship Him. He did not do this for all the Jews but for a remnant only.) {5} In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. (election and foreknowledge) {6} But if it is by grace, (If God’s choice of these people is free and un-earned) it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. {7} What then? That which Israel is seeking for, (by works) it has not obtained, but those who were chosen (foreknown, elected) obtained it, and the rest were hardened; (Those who were chosen from among the Jews to be saved obtained salvation by grace when they believed in Jesus. Those who God did not choose to save hardened their hearts against the truth and God added to that hardness.) {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."

There is a remnant of Jews that will be saved even though, for the moment, God has given them a spirit of stupor, i.e., He has hardened their hearts. We now enter our new material.

(Romans 11:11-24 NASB) {11} “I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? (The Jews have not been entirely cast off have they?) May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. {12} Now if their transgression be riches for the world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! {13} But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I MAGNIFY MY MINISTRY, {14} IF SOMEHOW I MIGHT MOVE TO JEALOUSY MY FELLOW COUNTRYMEN AND SAVE SOME OF THEM. {15} For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, (the Gentiles) what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? {16} And if the first piece of dough be holy, the lump is also; and if the root be holy, the branches are too. {17} But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, {18} do not be arrogant toward the branches; (the Jews who were broken off) but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. {19} You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." {20} Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; {21} for if God did not spare the natural branches, (The Chosen nation Israel) neither will He spare you. {22} Behold then (See you’re your own eyes) the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. {23} And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. {24} For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more shall these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?”

The person who reads Romans eleven and doesn’t come away somewhat slack-jawed and speechless hasn’t read it carefully enough. For what we see here is God’s plan of salvation for both the Jew and Gentile. It is strange to say the least. For what we learn from these scriptures is that, “. . . God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all.” (Romans 11:32 NASB) In other words, God has caused all of His elect people to be locked up in the prison of disobedience and sin so that at the right time and in the appointed way He could be seen having mercy on them all to the glory of His power and grace. It is about these elect prisoners of sin that Paul speaks in verses eleven and following.

With the words of our text we move from the discomforting consideration of spiritual hardening to an understanding that the hardening itself was and is part of God’s plan of salvation for both Jew and Gentile. The obstinate disobedience and subsequent divine hardening of the vast majority of Israel, including the elect, was the means by which the gospel message came to the Gentiles so that the elect among the Gentile nations could be saved. God’s rejection of the Jews and embracing of the Gentiles would make the Jews jealous which jealousy would become the means of the salvation of the elect among the Jews. Thus all Israel, the elect from every nation, would be saved. (Romans 11:11-14 NASB) I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! BUT BY THEIR TRANSGRESSION SALVATION HAS COME TO THE GENTILES, TO MAKE THEM (the Jews) JEALOUS. {12} Now if their transgression be riches for the world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment (salvation) be! {13} But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, {14} if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.”

You see Paul knew that Israel had not been cast off entirely. He knew that some of them would be saved for there is in every age and in every people a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. Those who are chosen for salvation will obtain it. But Paul also understood that if he was to ever see the salvation of his people he must turn from the Jews and take his message of reconciliation to the Gentiles. For this was God’s plan.

The Jews would witness with their own eyes the blessings once promised to them being given to the Gentiles. They would see in them the peace that passes all understanding. The peace that only comes through faith in Jesus Christ the Lord. The elect Jews would then become envious and wish to emulate the Gentiles who had trusted in Christ. This envy would have as its source - God the Holy Spirit who would turn that envy into real repentance and faith toward Jesus for the salvation of all the elect Jews.

This strange plan of salvation is designed to bring glory and praise to God. Fact is, everything God has done and is doing is for His glory. All things and events are meant to reveal something of the majesty of God. The bondage of God’s elect people to sin, self, and the devil, is no exception to the rule. Rather, it is part of God’s self glorifying plan. (Romans 11:33-36 NASB) “For God has shut up all (the elect from every nation) in disobedience that He might show mercy to all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! {34} For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? {35} Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? {36} For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” Our great God intends to bring glory to Himself and He is in the process of doing just that.

Lets take a look at this Jew, Gentile, jealousy thing being worked out in scripture. (Acts 13:44-49 NASB) “And the next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of God. {45} But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. {46} And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. (Here is God’s plan unfolding. The Jews harden their hearts to the truth. God hardens them further in judgment. Paul turns from them to share the Good News with the Gentiles. The seeds of jealousy are planted.) {47} "For thus the Lord has commanded us, 'I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU SHOULD BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH." {48} And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; AND (Are you ready for this?) AS MANY AS HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO ETERNAL LIFE BELIEVED. (This speaks of the elect among the Gentiles.) {49} And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.”

(Acts 18:4-6 NASB) {4} “And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. (Jews and Gentiles) . . . . . {6} And when they (the Jews) resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads! I am clean. From now on I shall go to the Gentiles." The plan is unfolding!

(Acts 28:23-31 NASB) “And when they had set a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. {24} And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. {25} And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, {26} saying, 'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; {27} FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; LEST THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I SHOULD HEAL THEM."' {28} "Let it be known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen." {29} And when he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.” The Jews were quite upset with the idea that the kingdom of God would be extended to Gentile dogs.

But it was the obstinate rebellion of the Jews that brought this extension of the kingdom to pass. Their sinfulness resulted in the gospel being taken to every tribe, people, and land, on the face of the earth. This was not by chance or luck but by order from the throne of God! This is His plan of salvation unfolding. This is God working all things together for the good of His elect people, saved and, as yet, unsaved!

Romans 11:12 “Now if their transgression be riches for the world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!” Which is to say, “If Israel’s sin has blessed the world so, how much richer shall it be when God calls unto Himself the remnant of Jews, the elect of the nation Israel?”

Surely we begin to see why Paul is so excited about his work. Why he magnifies his ministry to the Gentiles. He preaches the Gospel to them and rejoices in the salvation of those ordained to eternal life. But he also rejoices in the knowledge that success among the Gentiles will make his countrymen jealous which jealousy will be used by the Holy Spirit to turn them to faith in Christ! In this way “some of them” the elect within the nation, “will receive life from the dead,” (verse fifteen). (Romans 11:15 NASB) “For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”

In verse sixteen and following Paul uses two illustrations to support his contention that the elect Jews will be saved in time. (Romans 11:16-21 NASB) “And if the first piece of dough be holy, the lump is also; and if the root be holy, the branches are too.

Paul first compares Israel’s remnant or spiritual Israel, to a large lump of dough. The “piece” of dough, described as holy, represents the first believing members of the lump, the fathers of Israel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and whoever else believed in their day. Remember what was said of Abraham, “righteousness was accounted to him because of his faith.” Elsewhere we are told that we are sons of Abraham not by blood but rather by faith in Jesus the Lord. He and men like him were a holy portion of the whole elect lump. They were like the first fruits of a harvest offered to God representative of and promising more to come. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other godly ancients promised the salvation of the whole elect lump, or remnant. Paul argues that, if a piece of the dough is holy the whole lump is or will be also. All who follow in the footsteps of believing Abraham are true sons of Abraham and part of the whole, holy lump of dough. The next illustration is set out in more detail. It has to do with a root and branches. “. . . if the root be holy, the branches are too.”

{17} But if some of the branches were broken off, (he speaks of those in Israel who were rejected because of unbelief) and you, (the believing Gentiles) being a wild olive, were grafted in among them (This tells us that not all Israel was rejected or “broken off” for the Gentiles were grafted in “among them”, i.e., the saved Jews.) and became partakers with them of the rich root of the olive tree, {18} do not be arrogant toward the branches; (that were broken off) but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. {19} You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." {20} Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; {21} for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you, (if you do not believe in Christ.)”

There are many opinions as to the identity of the root in this illustration. I believe we must allow a mingling of ideas here. The root and source of eternal life is of course God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. However, we might also speak of Israel and the Church. Of Israel because the Gospel came to her first and we received the words of life from her. The church might also be considered a “root” because she is the body to whom Christians are joined by faith in Christ and it is from, in, and through, the church that the Gospel goes forth today. I believe the illustrations used allow the mingling of these ideas.

At first all the branches in Paul’s illustration are Jewish. This is the chosen nation of Israel as a whole. Everyone in that nation claimed to be worshippers of the true God. All claimed to be God’s children, they were all in the visible church, they were joined to the root, but they were not all true believers. Not all had faith, therefore, they were broken off the tree, severed from the source of life as it were. They were rejected for their sin and hardness of heart. The believing remnant in that age remained but the rest were broken off. The Gospel was then taken to the Gentiles and all who believed were grafted into the source of life, the root that is Jesus, and they became part of the visible church. The unbelieving Jews were cut off, the believing Gentiles were grafted in and now Paul issues a warning to the Gentiles, to us.

{18} do not be arrogant toward the branches; (Do not look down on the unbelieving Jew. Do not become anti-Semitic. Don’t look upon the Jew with contempt, pride, or prejudice.) but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, (You have not saved yourself by being somehow better or smarter than the Jews who were cut off. It is not you who supports the root. . . .) but the root supports you. {19} You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." {20} Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand (only) by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; (To fear in the sense here meant means to lean wholly on God and His sovereign grace for salvation claiming no merit of your own. In the true fear of God there is no room for conceit or arrogance only praise, humility, and thanksgiving. Be careful and fearful in this sense . . .) {21} for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you . . .” If Israel’s national election meant nothing to God when they would not believe you can be certain that your presence in the visible church means nothing if you do not have faith. The sinner stands or falls before God by faith or the lack of it.

That is the theme of the whole book, “The Just Shall Live by Faith.” “Sinners are joined to the Root by faith alone in Christ alone.” Therefore, there is no room for boasting. If you are in the Root that is Christ the Lord, you are there by the grace and mercy of God through a faith given to you by Him. The only appropriate response is praise and thanksgiving, never pride.

(Romans 11:22-24 NASB) “Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. (Without faith it is impossible to please God!) {23} And they also, (the unbelieving Jews) if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. {24} For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more shall these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree? {25} For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in . . .”

God’s plan of salvation is very mysterious and complicated! He intends to save a people from among the Jews and the Gentiles. But He does not do so in a direct fashion. Rather, He has determined to save them in a way that will display His wisdom and power, His grace, and His wrath to all. So He locks His sheep up in the prison of disobedience. This was brought to pass by the fall. Then He sends His Son to redeem them. He came first to the Jews but they did not recognize Him. They would not believe Him and they crucified Him. Neither would they receive Christ’s ministers. Why is that? Well, on the one hand, it was because they were sinners and had hardened their hearts. On the other hand it is because God hardened their hearts. Yes He would let some of the Jews out of prison and into His kingdom of light and life but first He would use their rebellion to facilitate the salvation of the elect Gentiles. When they were all released from the prison of disobedience then God would save the elect of Israel. Those who had been broken off would be grafted back in when they believed in Jesus.

{25} For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this MYSTERY, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel UNTIL THE FULLNESS OF THE GENTILES HAS COME IN;”

(Romans 11:33-36 NASB) “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! {34} For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? {35} Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? {36} For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

Here are some things to remember from today’s lesson. One, the Jews have not been cast aside forever. Rather, they have been divinely hardened for the sake of the elect Gentiles who are now being saved. When all the Gentiles that God intends to save have been saved He will finish His work among the Jews. There is a remnant among them that will be saved in God’s good time.

Second, remember this; God uses many things even sin to accomplish good for his people, even their salvation. This is the truth found in Romans 8:28. The man of faith understands that though the events in his life seem meaningless, out of control, even evil, God is behind the scenes working all things together for our good. This knowledge enables the Christian to be truly thankful for all things, even mysterious ones.

Thirdly we must remember that pride and prejudice have no place in the Christian’s life. For he is where he is and what he is by the Sovereign Grace of Almighty God. “It is not you who supports the root but the root supports you.”

Fourth, and finally we must never forget that the only hope of experiencing God’s kindness in salvation is to come to Him by faith in Jesus the Lord. Our standing in Christ is by faith alone. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved from the wrath to come.”