Ignorance isn’t bliss, and mysteries are for unfolding. Otherwise, we’ll be hindered in pride - “For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in” (vs25).
Pride hindered many in Israel. Many of the nation perished, and they perish still. But when the Gentiles are saved, the elect Jews shall all be saved too. They must be gathered for whom Christ died!
Not everyone, but all that God intended shall be rescued from sin and shame - “And so all Israel shall be saved. As it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (vs26-27). His promises made to the elect Jew can’t be broken. He will remove the filth and sin of sin.
Because of Christ‘s gospel, they are angry at you and God. But He loves His elect as He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes (vs28).
Salvation’s free, promised, and the Savior will not go back on His word - “For the gifts and callings of God are without repentance“ (vs29). He will not turn from doing us good: you know yourself. You were evil, but He saved you - “For as you in times past have not obeyed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief“ (vs30). Because Israel hates the Son, God saves you, a wicked and vile Gentile. Therefore, like you, wicked Jews are yet loved of God. They have been rebellious and vile, so that God can save them by saving you - “Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy” (vs31). They too will have grace and love unmerited.
God rules all of this. He concluded us needy and in rebellion against His word, so that He would have unmerited favor upon elect Jew and Gentile alike - “For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all“ (vs32).
Feel it. Ponder it’s magnitude. How good is God, both in wisdom and judgment - “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out“ (vs33)! He is wise in decisions and beyond our understanding. He is right in mercy and merciful in wrath. He blinds and reveals, and He can’t be known in His fullness, only in part. No one among us knows the depths of the Lord’s wisdom. He is the saving God - “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor (vs34)?” Who dares say, “I see, and I know all”? From times of old, who told God right and wrong? Or, who is wiser than He? Who gave God permission or power - “Or who has first given to Him, and it shall be paid back unto Him again (vs35)?” Who dares say, “I’m owed”? Who would dare mock God saying, “Worship me, instead”?
Mercy is because of God and because of Him only. It’s His honor and prestige - “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen“(vs36). Everything is grace and wise mercy. To God only in Christ Jesus be glory, honor, and praise - until the world ends, and on to eternity.
By the mercies of God, brothers, I beg you, give yourselves to God in service. Live devoted - “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom 12:1). You are holy and pleasing to God. Serving Christ is best.
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