Romans 11:1-32 God's Future Plans for the Jews

“I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved…” Rom 11:25-26a

Years ago when we lived in Arizona, we had a “fruit cocktail” tree in our backyard. It produced lemons, oranges and grapefruit all from the same tree thanks to the ancient science of grafting. Paul used an illustration of a “cultivated olive tree” in which natural limbs were broken off and wild olive tree branches were grafted in. So what is all this business about trees and grafting of branches?

The olive tree represents the people of God. The root of the olive tree is not clearly defined. The NIV Study Bible Notes, for verses 16 through 18, state in several places that the root represents the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). I don’t claim the expertise of the writer of the notes, but I wonder if the root is the God of the Jews. The root is called holy and the branches are identified as holy because of the root. The branches cannot survive without the nourishing sap of the root.

Some of the natural branches of the cultivated olive tree were broken off. This illustrates God’s present rejection of the Jews because of their unbelief. The breaking off of the natural branches is partial; some of the branches remain intact meaning that even at the present time God has maintained a remnant of Jews who are numbered among His people. Even Paul is proof of a natural branch intact. V.1

In place of the broken off branches, the branches of a wild olive tree are grafted into the cultivated olive tree. The branches of the wild olive tree represent the believing Gentiles who are numbered among His people. The Gentiles should ever be mindful that they are not naturally fit to the tree. They should never grow arrogant toward the Jews, though the Jews, in general, are in a present state of rejection. At the time of Paul’s writing, the Jews were even considered enemies of the gospel v.28. The Gentiles could just as easily fall into unbelief and lose their place in the tree. Gentile believers should “Consider…the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” V.22

Paul instructs Gentile believers not to be ignorant about something…so pay attention. Once the full number of Gentiles chosen of God have been grafted into the tree, the Jews will return to God in mass and the world will be blessed beyond all comprehension. V.12, 25-27 This prediction is certain. A bright future is coming! Only the living God could orchestrate such a thing!