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"...Life from the dead?"

Text: Romans 11:15

A COMPLEX SPIRITUAL HISTORY

Any study of the history of the nation of Israel would reveal a very complex spiritual dimension. The understanding of the following text would require some knowledge of the history of Israel.

“For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world,
what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”

Romans 11:15

1. Their casting away

The “casting away” of Israel took place on the following occasions:-

a) Historical

i) The fall of Israel under the Assyrians in 722 BC.

ii) The fall of Jerusalem, Judah under the Babylonians in 586 BC.

Israel and Judah were cast out of their homeland by the Lord Himself. The land of Israel would be desolate for 70 years. This was the punitive judgment of the Lord upon Israel for having forsaken Him and for turning to idolatry (Cf. Jeremiah 10).

b) Spiritual

This time period is more difficult to gauge with any complete certainty. However, the following texts will shed some light on the subject of being “cast away”.

i) The rejection of Jesus as the Messiah (Cf. Matthew 27:22-25).

ii) The rejection of the Gospel (Cf. Acts 13:46-47; Acts 18:6).

The Jews had rejected the Gospel and had persecuted those who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ! The consequence was their being “cast away” spiritually.

2. The reconciling of the world

The Gentiles were being welcome into the kingdom of God with open arms! The message of salvation preached by the apostle Paul and others of the same persuasion, was well received (Cf. Acts 13:48-49). The world (that is, “the Gentiles”) would be reconciled to God through salvation!

3. Their acceptance

Paul nursed the hope that there would be some Jews who would accept his message of salvation in Christ! Their acceptance of the gospel of Christ would result in having “life from the dead”. Paul hoped that his fellow Jews would somehow be “provoked” to return to God for salvation and eternal life!