God’s wisdom (vv. 33-36). Having contemplated God’s great plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles, all Paul could do was sing a hymn of praise. As someone has remarked, “Theology becomes doxology.” Only a God as wise as our God could take the fall of Israel and turn it into salvation for the world. His plans will not be aborted, nor will His purposes lack fulfillment. No human being can fully know the mind of the Lord, and the more we study His ways, the more we offer Him praise. Are we to conclude that God does not know what He is doing, and that the nation of Israel completely ruined His plans? Of course not! God is too wise to make plans that will not be fulfilled. Israel did not allow Him to rule, so He overruled.

Paul summoned five witnesses, and they all agreed: There is a future for Israel. When Israel recovers from her “fall” and enters into her “fullness,” the world will experience the riches of God’s grace as never before. When Jesus Christ returns and sits on David’s throne to reign over His kingdom, then Israel will be “reconciled” and “received,” and it will be like a resurrection.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion

1. Who are the five witnesses Paul mentioned who prove there will be a future for Israel?
2. What does each witness contribute to Israel’s future?
3. Why doesn’t Romans 11 apply to the church today?
4. In what way is Paul’s conversion “a pattern”?
5. What two illustrations did Paul use to prove that God was not finished with the Jews?
6. If believing Jews are the saved remnant, what will happen to the rest of Israel?
7. Who is included as Israel in the phrase “All Israel shall be saved”?
8. Why are Gentiles tempted to be arrogant toward the Jews? How is this still true in the world today?
9. Why is the phrase “Theology becomes doxology” often true? How can you avoid this in your own life?
10. How does Romans 11 relate to the overall theme, “Be right”?