“Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong. I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness. And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.” Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone. Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.”
Romans 11:22-36 NLT
There is a large number of questions about the nature of God, and by extension, the nature of man. It is a mystery in many ways. One of those distinct ways is in the nature of providence and blessing. There is no greater a demonstration of this then in the relationship of God with the Jewish people. Here we see how complex Gods plan is. Called a mystery by Paul, we see that it is a plan of redundancies. His desire is for his people, but it is also for the world. The world needs the Hebrew people to understand this desire, but in choosing them to portray it, they become entitled to it and withhold it from the gentiles. This, of course, finds it removed from them and given to the gentiles anyway. The effect of this is now that the Hebrew nation would not feel entitled to it anymore and thus be respectful of it. It is a master plan of tactical strategy to be sure. The important point to remember is that God is too clever for man’s goals and agendas. He will use man’s own folly to his benefit, if it suits his purposes. To this end, there is really only one fate to consider. This is the fate where God succeeds. Despite our best efforts, God’s plan will always triumph despite the finite will of finite men.
God’s Plan for Israel: God’s plan for Israel is complex and multifaceted, involving both their own salvation and the salvation of the world.
God’s Strategy: God’s strategy involves using Israel’s own actions and choices to ultimately achieve His purposes, even if they initially seem to contradict His ultimate goals.
God’s Sovereignty: God’s plan will ultimately triumph over human efforts and desires, demonstrating His sovereignty and omnipotence.
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