Romans:11

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* I ask has God rejected his people ? Certainly not ! I also am an Israelite , a descendant of the seed of Abraham , of the tribe of Benjamin . * God has not rejected his people whom he first knew . Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah ? How he made intercession to God against Israel ? * »Jehovah , they have killed your prophets , and torn down your altars . I am left alone , and they seek my life .« (1 Kings strkjv @19:14 , 18 ) * What does God say in answer to him ? »I have reserved to myself seven thousand men , who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal .« * Even so at this present time there is a remnant chosen according to God ’s grace . * If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works . Otherwise grace is not grace . But if it is of works then it is not by grace . Otherwise works are no longer works . * What then ? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks . The chosen ones have obtained it , and the rest were blinded . * It is written , »God has given them the spirit of slumber , eyes that they should not see , and ears that they should not hear to this very day .« (Deuteronomy strkjv @29:4 ) * David says , »Let their table be made a snare , and a trap , and a stumbling block , and recompense to them . * »Let their eyes be darkened , that they may not see , and bow down their back always .« (Psalm strkjv @69:23 ) * I ask : Did they stumble and fall ? Certainly not ! But rather through their fall into sin salvation has come to the nations . This will provoke them to jealousy . * Now if their fall into sin means riches to the world , and their decrease means riches of the nations how much more will their full number mean ? * I speak to you people of the nations . For I am the apostle to the nations and I glorify my ministry . * If by any means I may provoke those who are of my flesh , and might save some of them . * If their rejection means reconciliation for the world , what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead ? * If the first piece is holy , the lump is also holy . If the root is holy , so are the branches . * Some of the branches are broken off . You , being a wild olive tree , were grafted in among them . Therefore you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them . * Do not boast against the branches . But if you boast , you do not support the root , but the root supports you . * You will say , »The branches were broken off , that I might be grafted in .« * They were broken off because of unbelief ! You stand by faith ! Do not be conceited but be reverent . * God did not spare the natural branches and he will not spare you ! * Observe both God ’s kindness and severity . Severity is for those who fail to continue . But kindness is for you as long as you continue in his kindness . Otherwise you will be cut off . * If they do not continue in unbelief they will be grafted in . For God is able to graft them in again . * If you were cut out of the olive tree that is wild by nature , and were grafted contrary to nature into a garden olive tree : how much more could these , which are the natural branches , be grafted into their own olive tree ? * I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret , lest you should be wise in your own conceits . Blindness has happened to Israel , until the fullness of the nations comes in . * In this way all Israel will be saved . As it is written : The deliverer will come out of Zion and will remove ungodliness from Jacob . * For this is my covenant with them , when I shall take away their sins . * Concerning the good news , they are enemies for your sakes . With reference to the chosen ones , they are beloved for the fathers ’ sake . * The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable . * In times past you have not believed God . Yet you have now obtained mercy through their unbelief : * Even so these also do not believe now . Through the mercy shown they also may obtain mercy . * For God has stopped all disobedience so he might show mercy to all . * O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! How unsearchable are his judgments . His ways are beyond human understanding ! * For who has known the mind of Jehovah ? Or who has been his counselor ? (Isaiah strkjv @40:13 ) * Or who has first given to him , that it shall be repaid to him again ? (Job strkjv @41:11 ) * For from him , and through him , and to him are all things : Glory to him forever ! Amen .

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