Romans 11:11-16 When God blesses the non-believers
Romans 11:11-16
11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
Background
Paul seeks to put the transgression of the Jews into perspective of God’s overall salvation plan for the world. Although the transgression of the Jews did appear to have “diverted” God’s blessings to the Gentiles, but the ultimate salvation of the Gentile world will require the restoration of the Jews. In other words, the Gentile believers and Jewish believers are inseparable parts of Christ’s body. Another lesson we could learn is in the way that God stirred wayward Israel into serious soul searching by blessing the Gentiles and withholding His blessings from the Jews. This is also the way that God has been working in the modern day Christian community.
Observation
11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they?
Israel has rejected the good news as preached by Jesus, by the Apostles as well as the Evangelists. The good news calls the hearers to turn away from self-centered living, and from the pleasures of sin to the living God. The good news opens up the blessings of heaven that brings health, peace and prosperity to the people. However, they could not acknowledge their sinfulness and surrender every part of their life to God. Hence, they stumble over the good news of Jesus Christ and fail to obtain the blessings they desired. Paul asks the question: is their stumbling irreversible? Does God have another plan to turn the people from their stubbornness?
May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.
The answer is Yes! By turning to the undeserving Gentiles and saving them, God stirs Israel into jealousy. Thus, God provokes Israel into asking the question: what did the Gentiles do right that cause them to receive God’s blessings? Jesus Himself mentioned the lack of contrition among the Jews, and that causes Elijah to provide for a widow in Zarapheth (a Gentile) during the three and a half years of famine. Jesus also mentioned Elisha who healed none of the lepers in Israel, but reached out and cleansed Naaman who is a Syrian (a Gentile).
God’s strategy in turning His people back to Himself is to bless those who are unlikely candidates of His grace.
12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!
If the transgression (of the Jews) results in riches for the world, then how much more their repentance will result in greater prosperity for all: how much more will their fulfillment be! Paul asserts that Israel’s rejection of the gospel is not permanent, but when they do come around, the whole world will be saved by their repentance. By this, Paul is speaking concerning the end times, where the Jews will see Jesus returning as the Victorious One and acknowledge Him as their Messiah.
13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. In as much then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.
Paul is called as an Apostle to the Gentiles to preach the gospel to them. By fulfilling his ministry to the Gentiles, he is indirectly provoking Israel into serious soul searching that would turn them back to God: I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. When the Jews see the Gentiles receiving the gifts of the Spirit, being healed of sicknesses and prospering in every way will start them wondering concerning their position before God.
15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
Paul speaks about the inevitability of Israel being accepted as a member of God’s Kingdom. Israel’s acceptance into the church will culminate on the day where all believers will resurrect with glorified bodies: life from the dead. “The first piece of dough” and “the root” refers to the Jewish people. “The lump” and “the branches” refers to the rest of the world. It is necessarily for the Jews to be saved because salvation is first preached to the Jews (since the days of Abraham to Jesus), where it spreads to the rest of the world. Because of God’s faithfulness, salvation must return to the Jews before the end comes. Today, there are only about 10,000 Jewish Christians out of 8 million Jews in Israel, but we will one day see Israel publicly acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah.
The conversion of Israel involves two things: the repentance of the Jewish people to towards the truths as found in the Law, and the recognition of Jesus Christ as the sacrificial Lamb and Messiah that takes away their sins forever.
Truth
1. No member is truly independent in Christ’s body, the demise of one part will affect the whole. Hence, we must always seek to restore one another so as to experience a greater blessing for all. Having said that, we must not criticize other churches or rejoice if other Christians suffer for their wrong doing supposing that we could benefit from their transgression. Paul teaches the Gentile believers not to rejoice over the transgressions of the Jews, but to look to their restoration that is able to bring the ultimate salvation to the world.
2. When believers start to behave selfishly and arrogantly, God turns to non-believers and blesses them. This is to stir His people into jealousy and to reexamine the foundations of their faith: true faith is a matter of the heart, not of the mind alone. When non-churchgoers start to be blessed more than churchgoers, here is a signal to God’s people to repent. Instead of murmuring about God being unfair, let us observe and learn from them.
3. Believers must observe and learn from non-believers as to what causes God’s blessings to come upon them? Blessings does not come out of a vacuum, the people who are blessed must have done something right. We are reminded that God is fair and just, He blesses those who walk in the ways of righteousness regardless of their religion. Hence, believers must humble themselves to observe and to learn what the non-believers have done right.
4. We must not react in a controlling way when our children misbehave, but turn our efforts outwards to other children who need help. By turning our attention outward, our children will begin to understand that the world does not revolve around them. Not only that, they will also learn that obedience leads to reward, and disobedience leads to pain.
Applications
1. Think of a successful person and write down a list of the qualities that causes him to prosper. Write down a list of your core qualities as well as the qualities that you wish to develop in yourself. Approach your mentor to help you develop those qualities.
2. Ask God to put in your heart a child (who is not your own) whom you could pray for on a regular basis. Ask God to show you how you could be a blessing to this child.
Dear God, I pray for my brothers in Israel that You preserve them from harm. Continue to impress upon them the hope that is found in You and cause them to turn to You. I pray for my non-believing friends that You bless them and make Yourself real in their lives. At the same time, help me to learn from them the wisdom that gave them their blessing. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.