God Has A Faithful Remnant in Israel. Romans 11:1-6
“1) I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2) God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3) “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4) But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5) In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. 6) But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” Romans 11:1-6
Even though the majority in Israel rejected Jesus as the Messiah and the religious leaders were foremost in putting Him to death, Paul is arguing that God has always had a faithful remnant in Israel. He used Elijah as an example. When he was running for his life from Arab and complaining to God that he was all alone, God assured him that he still have 7,000 who had not bowed down to Baal.
In the same way, Paul recognized that there was a faithful remnant in his day. His underlining theme was that God kept His promise to Israel.
There are many today that argue that the church is now spiritual Israel. God is no longer bound toHis Old Testament promises made to the nation of Israel. But Paul is arguing that God has always kept His promise to the nation of Israel, and will do so in the end times. The natural olive branch will come back.
I encourage you not to overly spiritualize the Old Testament and do not doubt Gods promises to the nation of Israel. They will return to the Messiah and He will keep every aspect of His Promise to Israel.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
