The Remnant — Andrew Forrest

Paul explains in Romans 11 that God is not through with Israel yet, despite the fact that so few Jews have accepted the gospel.

Today’s Scripture: Romans 11:1-10

11:1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Paul makes the point that it’s not that no Jews have accepted Christ, and he puts himself forward as a prime example to prove his point! He references the Old Testament story of Elijah to state that God always has a remnant of the faithful. (I find this point very encouraging.)

7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
    eyes that could not see
    and ears that 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 for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
    and their backs be bent forever.”

Paul cites Old Testament verses to make the point that although the elect have responded in faith to Messiah Jesus, the rest have been blind and unable to see what’s right in front of them.