(Rom 11:17) “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;”  We non-Jews, who had no claim to God’s promises, by God’s grace, have been placed in the position of blessings! Praise be to God for His mercy through the blood of His Son!

(Rom 11:16) “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.”  The firstfruit is the resurrected Lord Jesus, holy unto God. The root is Abraham who received the promises. The branches are those of the nation of Israel who walk in Abraham’s faith.

(Rom 11:15) “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”  Notice the emphasis – “life from the dead”. Most professing believers seem to have only hope of an eternity in heaven. That is not the focus of the Bible in salvation. It is a resurrection of this body, changed, and a life upon a new earth where God dwells with us.

(Rom 11:12) “ Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” And,  (Rom 11:15) “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”  Since this level of blessings came through their judgment, untold blessings must await when they are returned to a place of blessings!

 (Rom 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.”  The Lord is not willing that any should perish. His desire is for them to see the true relationship of one who knows God in truth, prompting them to desire the same. This is why it is so vital a person walk with God. People need to see true Christianity.

(Rom 11:9)  {And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: (10)  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.” This is speaking of the nation and the blessings it is to one day receive. The nation has been set aside till the Lord Jesus returns as their King. The Lord used their rebellion to open His arms towards all who will repent and come to Him through Jesus. Are you one of those?

(Rom 11:7) “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (8 ) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.”  The nation of Israel blinded in judgment because of willful sin. The elect are those who still would respond by faith. Beware, the longsuffering of God has limitations to willful rebellion.

 (Rom 11:7)  “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; ….” Why not: (Rom_9:32)  “Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;” Warning: pride within even the saved will lead us into areas of works to merit rather than faith.

(Rom 11:6) “ And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”   Our hearts deceive us into thinking we are obeying by faith but revealed to be otherwise when one is upset in God over troubles of life or seemingly no response to prayer. Such a reaction says “I deserve”, revealing one was working, expecting a reward.

(Rom 11:6) “ And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”   So many confuse the actions of faith with actions to merit. The first is wholly dependent upon believe that God will act in accordance to His Word. The second is an expectation of reward for efforts.