11:29
“For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable”. This verse is sometimes quoted completely out of context and misapplied. I have heard it used to imply that when God gives some ministry gift to someone it is irrevocable. This is not a proper use of this verse. It is referring to Israel, that is the clear context, and it is referring to God’s call of Israel. The Greek word translated irrevocable actually means “without regret”. God called Israel and the Old Testament is full of promises regarding Israel. God does not regret calling Israel, and has no regrets about doing so, nor of making any of the promises. The call and the promises will be fulfilled, and there will be a faithful Israel.
11:30,31
The context and application of the previous verse is made even clearer, as is the whole of Paul’s argument in chapters 9-11. Anyone who feels superior to Israel, or anyone who says “Israel rejected Christ therefore they are no longer part of God’s plan” has no grounds whatsoever for doing so. We Gentile believers were once disobedient, but we have now received mercy. God used Israel’s disobedience in taking the gospel to the Gentiles. Israel was (and still is) disobedient in rejecting Christ, but God will show them mercy as well. There will come a day when they repent and believe. And God will use His mercy to the Gentiles as part of the process in bringing this about.
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