Divine Mystery
Opening Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for not leaving me in ignorance, for giving me Your Word to show me Your purposes.
Read Romans 11:25-36
[25] I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, [26] and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. [27] And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” [28] As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, [29] for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. [30] Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, [31] so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. [32] For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. [33] Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! [34] “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” [35] “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” [36] For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What similarities exist between the Gentiles and Jews (30,31)?As you might imagine, commentators have a field day with this portion of Romans! What does it mean that “all Israel will be saved” (26)? Does it refer to all the individuals that make up the nation, Israel in a more abstract sense, or a new Israel–the Church? If it means all Jewish individuals, does that cover them throughout history or just the ones alive at the second coming? How can Paul say that God loves them all “on account of the patriarchs” (28) when he has just spent a very long time arguing that their belief in Jesus is what matters, not lineage? There are multiple and conflicting answers to all these questions, none of which is definitive. It is enough to make a person’s head explode! Thankfully, we are rescued by a sudden change of pace–a worship song, right there in the middle of all the confusion. And it sharpens our focus. Many things may look blurry from where we stand, but one thing is crystal clear: God knows what he is doing.
Apply
Use the doxology in verses 33 to 36 as your own song of worship. Revel in the mystery of the great God who has revealed himself.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I am a work in progress. Continue Your holy and transforming work, so that I might grow in Your likeness.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.