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Timothy: Romans 11:1-10
The Remnant of Israel

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1 I say then, Did not God thrust away His people? Let it not be! For I also am an Israelite, out of Abraham’s seed, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 “God did not thrust away His people” whom He foreknew. Psa. 94:14 Or do you not know what the Scripture said in Elijah, how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying,

3 Lord, “they killed Your prophets,” “and they dug down Your altars,” “and only I am left, and they seek my life.” 1 Kg. 19:10

4 But what does the Divine answer say to him, “I reserved to Myself seven thousand men who did not bow a knee to Baal.” 1 Kg. 19:18

5 So then, also in the present time a remnant according to election of grace has come into being.

6 But if by grace, no longer is it of works; else grace no longer becomes grace. But if of works, it is no longer grace; else work is no longer work.

7 What then? What Israel seeks, this it did not obtain, but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

8 even as it has been written, “God gave to them a spirit of slumber, eyes not seeing and ears not hearing” until this day. Isa. 29:10; Deut. 29:4

9 And David said, “Let their table become for a snare and a trap, and for a stumbling block,” and a repayment to them;

10 “let their eyes be darkened, not to see, and their back always bowing.” LXX-68:23, 24; MT-Psa. 69:22, 23

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Dear God, my Beloved Father, I thank You for this new day that You have given me. Each passing day brings me joy and excitement, knowing that the day of Christ’s coming to take the Church out of the world is getting closer. I am grateful that You have allowed me and my fellow believers to reflect on the Eternal Living Word of God every day. May the Word of God sanctify us and make us ready for the coming of Christ. I pray that Christ will give new strength to my weak and aging body, and I ask the Holy Spirit to grant me wisdom as I meditate on the Word of God. I thank Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Father, I would like to present my understanding of Romans 11:1-10.

Dear Father, I understand that from verses 1 to 4, it talks about Your faithfulness to the covenant You made with Abraham. Even though the Israelites, descendants of Abraham, often rebelled against You, You did not abandon them. You knew in Your foreknowledge that there would always be Israelites who had faith in You and were faithful to You. I understand that the number of 7,000 Israelites who remained faithful to You during the time of the Prophet Elijah is a symbol of those Israelites who have remained faithful to You throughout all ages.

Dear Father, verses 5 and 6 help me understand that those Israelites who remain faithful to You in each stage of Israel’s history do so because of Your mercy. You give them the opportunity, the means, and the help they need to remain faithful to You. You preserve them because of Your mercy, calling them, choosing them, and keeping them. From there, they do good works to honor You. This also applies to all who believe in the Gospel.

Dear Father, I understand verse 7 to mean that the term “Israel” in this verse generally refers to the Israelite nation, although it includes some who believe in You, obey You, and accept the Gospel. Most of the Israelites seek to be declared righteous by obeying Your law, but they cannot achieve this. The simple reason is that no one can perfectly obey Your law until they are renewed. In contrast, those who do not rely on obeying the law but accept the Gospel of Salvation are declared righteous by You, regardless of whether they are Jews or Gentiles. And for those who were not chosen, their hearts have hardened, no longer able to understand the Gospel of Salvation. Because they have become too proud, relying on their strength to be called righteous, or because they only want to live a life that satisfies their every desire of the flesh. I believe that You did not choose those who You knew would not give up their sins.

Dear Father, I understand verse 8 as follows: Because of the faithless and hard hearts of the Israelites, You abandoned them to the indifference of their spirits. Their spiritual eyes were blind, unable to see the truth of Your Word. Their spiritual ears were deaf, unable to hear words of rebuke. This is the general condition of most Israelites until the time of Paul and even until today when Your judgment is about to be unleashed upon the whole world.

Dear Father, I understand verses 9 and 10 as follows: These are words of rebuke from the Holy Spirit, through King David, directed at the faithless Israelites. These words also apply to anyone with a hardened heart who does not accept the Gospel. Their delight in sin only increases their punishment, causing them to sink deeper into sin. Their minds will remain blinded, unable to discern the truth. The burden of sin will always weigh heavily upon them.

Dear Father, I am grateful that You have shown mercy to me and have chosen me to be saved. I am thankful that You have given me the Eternal Living Word of God, which helps me to understand Your love deeply for those who truly believe in the Gospel and to know the future glory and blessings that You have planned and prepared for those who belong to You.

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Timothy Christian Huynh
04/02/2023