MSB ROM Chapter 11

A Remnant Chosen by Grace

I ask then, {did} God vvv reject His people? vvv Certainly not! I am an Israelite [myself], vvv a descendant of Abraham, from [the] tribe of Benjamin. 2 God vvv did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. vvv Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel, saying,[fn] 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I [am] the only one left, and they are seeking my life [ as well ]”[fn]?

4 

[And] what [was] the divine reply to him?“I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who {have} not bowed [the] knee to Baal.”[fn]

5 

In the same way at the present time there is a remnant vvv chosen by grace. 6 And if [it is] by grace, [then it is] no longer by works. Otherwise, grace {would} no longer be grace. But if [it is] by works, [then] it is no longer [by] grace. Otherwise, work {would} no longer be work.[fn]

7 

What then? What Israel was seeking vvv it failed to obtain, but the elect [did]. The others were hardened, 8 as it is written:

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,

eyes that vvv could not see,

and ears that vvv could not hear,

to this very day

9 

And David says:

“{May} their table become a snare and a trap,

a stumbling block and a retribution to them.

10 

{May} their eyes be darkened vvv vvv [so] they cannot see,

and their backs be bent vvv forever.”[fn]

11 

The Ingrafting of the Gentiles

I ask then, vvv did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery?[fn] vvv Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation [has come] to the Gentiles to make [Israel] jealous 12 But if their trespass [means] riches for [the] world, and their failure [means] riches for [the] Gentiles, how much greater [ riches ] {will} their fullness [bring]!

13 

I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch {as} I am [the] apostle to [the] Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in the hope that I may provoke my [own] people {to jealousy} and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection [is the] reconciliation of [the] world, what [will their] acceptance [be] but life from [the] dead? 16 If the first part [of the dough] [is] holy, so [is] the whole batch; if the root [is] holy, so [are] the branches.

17 

Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among [the others] vvv to share in the nourishment of the olive root 18 {do} not boast over those branches. If [you do, remember this]: You {do} not support the root, but the root [ supports ] you.

19 

You will say then,“Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. {Do} not be arrogant, but be afraid. 21 For if God {did} not spare the vvv natural branches, {He will} certainly not[fn] spare you [either].

22 

Take notice, therefore, [of the] kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in [His] kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And if they also vvv do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them {in} again. 24 For if you were cut from vvv vvv a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into [one that is] cultivated, how much more [ readily ] {will} these, the vvv natural [branches], be grafted into [their] own olive tree!

25 

All Israel Will Be Saved

vvv I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that vvv 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.

27 

And this [is] vvv My covenant with them

when I take away their sins.”[fn]

28 

Regarding the gospel, [they are] enemies on your account but regarding election, [they are] loved on account of the patriarchs. 29 For vvv God’s gifts and [His] call [are] irrevocable.

30 

For[fn] just as you [who] formerly disobeyed God vvv have now received mercy through their disobedience, 31 so they too vvv have now disobeyed, in order that they too may receive mercy through the mercy [shown to] you.[fn] 32 For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.

33 

A Hymn of Praise

(Isaiah 40:9–31)

O, [the] depth of [the] riches

of [the] wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable [are] His judgments,

and untraceable His ways!

34 

“Who has known [the] mind of [the] Lord?

Or who has been His counselor?”[fn]

35 

“Who has first given to God,

that God should repay him?”[fn]

36 

For from Him and through Him and to Him [are] all things.

To Him [be] the glory vvv vvv forever! Amen.