the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Romans 11:16-36
To illustrate the position with regard to Israel and the Gentiles, the apostle takes up the picture of a good olive tree which represents the Jewish people. Some of the branches have been broken off "because of unbelief" (v. 20) and in their place the branches of the wild olive of the Gentiles have been grafted in. Now everyone knows that a gardener always does the opposite. He grafts on to the wild stock the cutting of the species he expects to cultivate. This introduction of the Gentiles "contrary to nature" (v. 24) on to the trunk of Israel emphasizes the immense grace which has been bestowed upon us, who are not Jews, as part of the benefit of the promises made to Abraham. For us to boast about this would have great and serious consequences! (v. 20).
The moment will come, after the rapture of believers, when apostate Christendom will be judged in its turn; after this all the remnant of Israel will be saved by their great Deliverer (v. 26).
Thus the Gentiles had no rights originally; Israel had lost theirs; all then were in the same helpless state, without any other resource than the mercy from above. And the apostle breaks out in worship in the face of these unfathomable counsels, these "depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God" (v. 33).
