God’s Mercy is for Everyone (Day 25)

Read Romans 11:25-36
 
   Some say the phrase “and so all Israel will be saved” means that the majority of Jews in the final generation before Christ’s return will turn to Christ for salvation. Others say that Paul is using the term Israel to refer to the “spiritual” nation of Israel, which is comprised of Jews and Gentiles who have received salvation through faith in Christ. Thus, “all Israel,” or all believers, will receive God’s promised gift of salvation. Still others say that “all Israel” means Israel as a whole will have a role in Christ’s kingdom. The Jew’s identity as a people won’t be discarded. God chose the nation of Israel, and He has never rejected it. He also chose the church through Jesus Christ, and He will never reject it either. The privileges and invitation of God given to Israel can never be withdrawn. This does not mean, of course, that all Jews or all church members will be saved. It is possible to be Jewish or to belong to a church without ever responding to faith. But just because some people have rejected Christ does not mean that God stops working with either Israel or the church. He continues to offer salvation freely to all. Still others say that the phrase “and so” means “in this way” or “this is how,” referring to the necessity of faith in Christ.
   In this passage Paul shows how the Jews and Gentiles benefit each other. Whenever God shows mercy to one group, the other shares the blessing. In God’s original plan, the Jews would be the source of God’s blessing to the Gentiles (Genesis 12). When the Jews neglected this mission, God blessed the Gentiles anyway through the Jewish Messiah. He still maintained His love for the Jews because of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But someday all faithful Jews will share in God’s mercy. God’s plans will not be thwarted: He will have mercy on everyone (Isaiah 60). 
 
   Verse 33 is a prayer of praise to God for the wisdom of His plan. Although God’s method and means are beyond our comprehension, God Himself is not arbitrary. He governs the universe and our life in perfect wisdom, justice, and love. 
 
   No one has fully understood the mind of the Lord. No one has been His counselor. And God owes nothing to any one of us. Isaiah and Jeremiah asked questions to show that we are unable to give advice to God or criticize His ways (Isaiah 40; Jeremiah 23). 
   All of us are absolutely dependent upon God. He is the source of all things, including ourselves. He is the power that sustains and rules the world that we live in. And God works out all things to bring glory to Himself. The all-powerful God deserves our praise.