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Beyond Recovery?

Words of Faith Final

Beyond Recovery?
Words of Faith 10-25-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Romans 11
   [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!

    Paul begins in these verses to ask some fundamental questions that are as relevant today as in the first century: What is the relationship between Gentile Christians and the Jewish people? What is the place of Israel as history progresses?  
    Unfortunately, this is an issue that has been grossly and painfully misinterpreted at various points in history. The greatest misinterpretation is that the Gentile Church has somehow replaced Israel as God's chosen people. In the remainder of this chapter, Paul is quite clear that this is not so and that Israel still holds a special place in God's heart and in history.  
      Paul looks at the larger picture of things. What is God doing? What is the larger plan?  Did the Jewish people somehow sin so as never to be restored? "Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery?" No. Not at all! Paul points out that God has a larger plan in mind. God has two major intentions that are actually coming about through the transgression of Israel in rejecting Jesus as Messiah in the first century.  
     First, through this transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles. This was God's plan from the beginning-- "I will make you a great nation. . . and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen. 12:2,3).   
     Secondly, God is actually at work to make Israel envious of the grace shown toward the Gentiles so as to draw them to Himself. Paul sees a powerful work of God through the blessing of the Gentile people with His presence and power. God actually called Paul to be Apostle to the Gentiles not just to reach the Gentiles but also to reach Israel!
     The result will be greater riches in the fullness of time for "if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!"    
      When a Jewish person comes to know Jesus as Messiah the result is the richest of treasures. There is a connection and depth that goes back 4000 years to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. There is a wondrous celebration as an actual kinship with Jesus as Jewish brother and Messiah is celebrated. This is a great treasure.  

      Lord, let me never lose sight of Your sovereign love. May I never lose touch with Your relentless grace and mercy. May I understand as never before Your special love for Israel. Open my eyes to the larger plan of Your salvation history. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2021 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.