Romans 11:25–32 (NKJV)
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” 28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
“For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” (v. 30-32)
Today’s text destroys the false understanding which professes that God cannot put the Jews in hell because they were His chosen people and they had to disbelieve in order for the rest of the world to be redeemed. God’s Word (through Paul) makes clear that the same mercy that was poured out upon the Christians in Rome is the same mercy that was always there for the Jews—beginning with the promise (Genesis 3:15) and going still to this day! The descendants of Israel were meant to be the firstfruits of God’s gracious promise of life and salvation. The promise was given in the beginning, prophecy after prophecy took place pointing forward. And then the promise and the prophecies were fulfilled as Jesus Christ was sent to them to bring them holy glory, but they fell to pride and unbelief. All the saints of the Church are to carefully consider the warning that is in those who fell. God’s glory and salvation do not come from who we are or what we do. They come from our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom the Father is well pleased in all things and who gave Himself as the great sacrifice for our redemption.
Rejoice that God’s Word of truth was brought to your ears to bring about repentance and belief within you. You now have the mercy seat of Christ Jesus to bless to—just as it was promised from the beginning!
Let us pray: Lord, grant to Your faithful people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
