Today, Paul wraps up the section in his letter devoted to the question of God’s commitment to his chosen people, Israel.

Today’s Reading: Romans 11:25-36

25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:

“The deliverer will come from Zion;
    he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them
    when I take away their sins.”

Paul is here directly speaking to Gentile Christians in the Roman Church, and he says that the reason why relatively so few Jews have become Christians is because God is temporarily pivoting away from Israel to reach out and include the Gentiles. But, supporting his point from the Old Testament, he makes the startling claim that “all Israel will be saved.” How or when this will happen, he doesn’t say.

28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Paul uses strong language to make the point that God is using the Jews to provoke the Gentiles to faith, and will then use the Gentiles to provoke the Jews to faith, because he is committed to the Jews as his chosen people, and because God uses bad things for good.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Paul wraps up the end of this section of the letter with a doxology—”word of glory”.

What a good way to wrap up today’s post!