Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for Nov. 1

KINDNESS

Romans 11:11–24

Romans 11 deals with the ultimate restoration of Israel. God is not through with Israel.

Paul is talking about a literal future for the literal nation of Israel. He gives testimony to that truth and also references the Prophet Elijah. In Elijah’s case, he thought there was no one who believed in God. However, God told Elijah that there were 7,000 people who had not bowed the knee to Baal. God has a remnant in Israel.

Rejection (11–16)

Paul builds a case that the rejection of the gospel by the Jews opened the door for the Gentiles, and they believed and were saved. Since God kept His promise to the Gentiles, He would indeed keep His promise made to Abraham all those years before. Isaiah 11 and 60 both indicate that the Gentiles will share in the future Kingdom. The Church enters into the conversation as a place where believing Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ. Today, Israel is cast away, but one day Israel will rise again. Paul calls that time “the fullness of the Gentiles” (v. 25).

What do you believe about the eyes of the Jews being opened?

Grafted (17–22)

Paul uses two examples to prove his point that God isn’t finished with the Jews. The first metaphor is a lump of dough. If a portion is holy, then all of the dough is holy. The illustration echoes the Feast of Firstfruits during which the priest would offer a sheaf of wheat to the Lord as a reminder that the entire harvest belonged to God.

Because God accepted Abraham and made the promise to him, this indicated that God would accept his progeny, Israel.

The second illustration was the olive tree as a symbol of Israel. In this case, the roots support the entire tree. God made covenants with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and that promise to the roots will ultimately save the entire tree — Jews and Gentiles. Paul describes Gentiles as being grafted into the tree. However, their being grafted in did not remove the Jewish branches. In Paul’s illustration, the Gentiles are identified as wild branches. It is a mistake for some to think that the Church has replaced the Jews in the eyes of God.

All believers in Jesus Christ should have an attitude of humility and gratitude. Have you known people who have a kind of spiritual arrogance about being “chosen” by the Lord?

Restoration (23–24)

Although Gentiles entered the Kingdom, it was not because of their good works but because it was God’s plan. And another part of God’s plan (as shared in 1 and 2 Timothy and Revelation) is that some in the Church will fall away and become apostate. After that, Israel will be saved. God is a faithful Promise Keeper. What does this chapter teach about the church’s support of Israel?

Chapter 11 concludes with this wonderful doxology: “Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”