Romans 11:1-2, His People Which He Foreknew

Romans 11:1-2a  I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew…

The Apostle Paul cited himself as an example that God has not completely cast away His people Israel. The blindness in Israel does not occur to everyone. There is a remnant like himself. He could trace his ancestry back to Abraham and the tribe of Benjamin which he belongs. His spiritual eyes were opened to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It was an about-turn in his life from a being a persecutor of the church to becoming her foremost missionary.

To Abraham was given the promise that all families of the earth be blessed through his seed. This blessing was alluding to the coming of Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, God will use a group of converted Jews to form the infant church that will bring the gospel from Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth. It seemed that God has sidelined Israel and the church is now God’s witness to the world. But this is not so! God has chosen Israel to be His people and this promise has not changed even though a majority of them has rejected their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

It is indeed unfathomable and mind-boggling that a people whom God has given so much privilege would be so far from Him. Today, as we survey the church scene, it is sad to observe for the majority, church life is simply a Sunday routine. I pay my tithe and don’t bother me the rest of the week. There is no desire to serve, no zeal for prayer in this materialistic society. It seemed the only thing that matters is to get ahead for this life. There is little desire for witnessing, little traces of spiritual vitality.

Has God given up on His church? No! Neither has God given up on Israel. May the Holy Spirit work a mighty work of grace to revive His church. Amen.