Lesson 438

(Lesson 438)(10-27-12) Romans 11:20-36, "For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."

This lesson very much speaks to the same issues that have been covered in our last few lessons. Paul reiterates that through the fall of the Jews, the Gentiles have been given salvation, and further, through those Gentiles whom have obeyed God and accepted His grace, the Jews have another chance to regain their "God's chosen" status alongside the Gentile believers.
In the final portion of this lesson, Paul makes it very clear that neither the Jews of his day, nor people of today, have the right to challenge the mind, or reasoning of God.
We must all always remember that God's will is just that, its His will! God cannot be doubted or questioned. I don't understand why He chose to cause the Jews to fall just so the Gentiles could inherit eternal salvation, but He did and I will ALWAYS be thankful for it, and will NEVER question WHY He did it. ~