Romans 11:11, Israel Be Provoked to Jealousy

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Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

When God extends His grace to save the Gentiles, it is with the view of restoring wayward Israel. The Apostle Paul points out that the Jews are made to see God’s blessings that were theirs, as it were, transferred to the Gentiles. It is the desire of God that through this, Israel may be provoked to acknowledge their Messiah.

In fact, when God begins the church, it was with the purpose of extending His grace to both Jews and Gentiles. Whosoever will, can be saved. Dear friends, can you articulate if someone ask you what is the church? May I submit to you, the Church is God’s people! The word “church” is from the Greek words “ecclesia” which means “called out one.” The term is derived from the root verb “kaleo” which means “to call.” The church is, therefore, a people called out by God. Israel was called a church in the wilderness during the time of the Exodus because they were the people of God.

It is the provision God made that the Jews, too, may be saved despite many generations of apostatizing especially during the time of Christ. The Apostles chosen by Christ were all Jewish. The Jews still hold high privilege in the church age to lay the church’s spiritual foundation. The Apostle Paul is an unlikely example of an Apostle because he persecuted the church, yet, God chose to save and use him! He writes this words of thanksgiving of the high privilege according to him and other Jewish Apostles to be the writers of the New Testament Scriptures with the exception of Luke, a Gentile.

Ephesians 2:19-22 Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

As Christians, we have the privilege of being partakers of God’s blessing through Jesus Christ. May we not take granted this high privilege but humbly serve Him. Amen.