In last week’s passage, we learned about the tragedy of rejection. We learned that some of God’s chosen people, the Israelites had rejected God and His ways; they had rejected Jesus the Messiah.

Well, in today’s passage, Paul is going to circle back to that reality and then ask what the state is of the Israelites.

Also, while discussing this topic, Paul addresses the Gentiles and how they should react towards this newfound blessing that they have of being able to receive the mercy of God through Jesus.

Today’s sermon is entitled, “The Great Reach of the Mercy of God.”

Before we dive into this passage, let’s pray together and ask God to speak to us.

(prayer)

Sometimes when you learn a new topic, you need some clarifications in order to really understand it. Well, Paul wants us to understand more about this reality of Israel’s rejection and the offer of salvation to the Gentiles.

So, as we look at this passage, we’ll see three clarifications regarding the relationship of God and the mercy that He shows to the Jewish people as well as the non-Jewish people.

First, let’s see that . . .

I. Israel is not extinguished (11-16)

Remember how Israel came to be. It all started with God choosing Abraham from the land of Ur and then He grew them from Abraham, through Isaac, through Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel.

Israel was the apple of God’s eye. In God, they were victorious.

God’s people thrived under King David and King Solomon. They were respected, they were feared, they were thriving!

Then, Israel continued to reject God and His ways. They suffered at the hands of the Assyrians, they suffered at the hands of the Babylonians, they suffered at the hands of the Persians, they suffered at the hands of the Romans, and they rejected Jesus the Messiah.

Was it over for Israel? Was the flame they once possessed now extinguished? No!

Listen to what Paul says. Look at

Romans 11:11-16

11 I ask, then, have they stumbled so as to fall? Absolutely not! On the contrary, by their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their transgression brings riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring!

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Insofar as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if I might somehow make my own people, jealous and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brings reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 Now if the firstfruits are holy, so is the whole batch. And if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Do you remember Paul talking about the Jewish people stumbling?

In Romans 11:8-10, he speaks about them being stupid, blind, deaf, trapped, and burdened.

InRomans 9:33, he speaks of Jesus being a stumbling block for the unbelieving Jews.

Now, Paul asks the question of whether or not they have stumbled so badly that they have fallen and they can’t get up.

In other words, is all hope lost for the Jews? Is their flame extinguished?

Notice Paul’s characteristic reply in verse 11. Paul says, “Absolutely not!”

The Jews have not fallen so far that they cannot be recovered. Their flame has not been extinguished. They have not fallen past the reach of God’s great mercy.

Paul points out how God worked good through the rejection of the gospel by the Jewish people.

Since the Jews rejected Jesus, God offered the gospel to the Gentile world.

Then, Paul points out that if God can work through Israel’s failure, imagine how He can work through their repentance.

He says in verse 12, “ . . . how much more will their fullness bring!”

Paul even explains that by God taking the gospel to the Gentile world, some of the Jewish people will grow jealous of God’s love and blessings being shown to others Then, they will come back to God and His ways. Then, they will seek the righteousness of God through