The Riches of Grace

 DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

THE RICHES OF GRACE

Rom 11:7-12

7 What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, 8 as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day."   9 And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. 10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."  11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!

NIV

This seems a difficult passage in the argument of Paul. He asked the question after making that great truth about grace. That been chosen to be saved through grace is no longer works, for if it still was by works, then grace would be no longer grace. Now, he tells the Jews a little history lesson about their self-satisfied, overconfident, and comfortable position they felt was being the chosen people of God. It is likened to men sitting around a banquet, feasting on the best of everything, and falling into a fancy sense of security which is their ruin, and the enemy can come right in and overtake them. They had become callous to the voice of God. Paul says that God caused their callous hearts. Yet, if they were his chosen people, whom he loved dearly, why would he make their hearts callous, or unless for the reason for them to know they were now in the dark, unable to see him or his truth. The law, which they wanted to appear to obey fully, was indeed their downfall, for grace is the only way to live, and they chose works. However, theirs is not a permanent loss, the Hope of Israel is and will again be the hope of Israel. Of course, we would never question the plan of God, for who are we but his creation. Can the created question the Creator, no, can the clay tell the potter how to create it and for what use? No. Yet, because of the trap Israel fell into and became blinded and callus, which is another point. It seems right to understand that when we break a bone, a callus forms about the break during the healing process. However, it has been determined that the callus covers the bone and makes that portion of the bone less sensitive. That was at the core of what happened to Israel. Still, it was God’s plan so that the “Good News” would come to the Gentiles. Once again, we are faced with the truth that God so loved the world, which meant all the people of every nation. Israel will not be a loser in this divine plan of God. But because they stumbled it meant greater riches for the world, and their temporary loss means riches for us Gentiles. God has never nor will he abandon his people. He has promised that he would be with us even unto the end. Israel’s eyes and ears will be opened some time, someday and when that happens, all the riches they will bring into the Kingdom of God. What a blessing that will be when we all see our Jesus face to face, but in the meantime, let us enjoy this grace as we live out his plan for us, his purpose for us, as his royal priesthood and a holy nation, in this world. We are the richest of all, as we have received His grace.