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Romans 11:12 – How Rich We Are!

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Romans 11:12 – How Rich We Are!

Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

Truth to Learn

Because of the failure of the Jews to listen to and follow God, the offer of salvation has come to the Gentiles.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “fall” is paraptoma, which we saw in the previous verse, meaning “to fall by the wayside.”

“Riches” is translated from ploutos, which refers to “riches or wealth, either in money or possessions.”

The word translated “failure” is the Greek word hēttēma, which refers to “a state that is worse than the former state.” Therefore it could easily be translated as “loss or failure.” Paul is saying, that which the Jews lost has become riches for the Gentiles.

“Fullness” is from the Greek word plērōma, which is from the verb plēroō, meaning “to fill completely.” Hence, we see that plērōma refers to the condition of being completely filled up. Here it probably refers to the fullness of the remnant of the Jews to be saved in the last days before the return of Christ.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we talked about how the stumbling of the Jews resulted in the gospel message being sent to the Gentiles. This is the picture that Jesus portrayed in Matthew 22:1-10 where he told the parable of the wedding. Those who were invited by the king did not care to come, so he sent his army to destroy them and invited the strangers from all parts to come to the wedding. That is precisely what happened to the Jews. They refused to come to the Messiah, so God invited the Gentiles to partake of the riches of His grace.

In the previous verse Paul said that it was their “falling by the wayside” that resulted in salvation coming to the Gentiles. He uses the same word in this verse indicating that it has produced riches (the riches of salvation) for the world. It is because the Jews stumbled and fell by the wayside that the Gentiles have received the riches of God’s blessing, that is, salvation and the righteousness of God. He then follows this up with the expression, “and their failure riches for the Gentiles.”

But then Paul turns this around. He says that if the stumbling and loss of the Jews resulted in blessing to the Gentiles, how much more so will their fullness be. In other words, Paul is projecting to a future time when the remnant of Israel will believe. With the zeal and ardor that the Jews possess, as well as their mastery of the Old Testament and their knowledge of God, imagine how they will spread the message!

Oh, that we in the Church had the zeal and tenacity that the Jews have always had. That, coupled with the truth of the gospel, could produce a wildfire of revival!

Application

We Christians take our salvation too lightly. We forget that the combined riches of the whole world cannot even come close to the price of eternal blessing in the presence of Almighty God. It is a priceless treasure that has been given to us, not because we deserve it in any way, but because God chose to give it to us. But the church today is beginning to resemble the Jews of Jesus’ time. We have become complacent and have placed greater value in following the rules and traditions of our denominations than in following and being obedient to Christ. Who do you resemble, your church or your Savior?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:11 – Share the Treasure!

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Romans 11:11 – Share the Treasure!

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

Truth to Learn

The Jews lost their “most favored” position so we could receive it. We need to share it so that we don’t lose it.

Behind the Words

“Stumbled” is translated from the Greek word ptaio, which means “to stumble” or “to fall.” It is often used figuratively to indicate falling into sin.

The words “should fall” is from the verb piptō, meaning “to fall from a higher position to a lower position.”

“That” is from hina, meaning “in order that.” One interpretation of this word would be “merely that.” Thus, we could translate the first part of this verse as, “have they stumbled merely that they should fall?”

The second occurrence of the word “fall” in this verse is from paraptōma, the noun form of parapiptō. This is made up of para, meaning “beside” or “to the side” and piptō, which we just looked at. Paraptōma, then, refers to “falling to the side” or “falling by the wayside.”

Meaning Explained

The first part of this verse is almost a restatement of Romans 11:1. Paul again is using the relative negative article mē in his question to indicate an anticipated negative answer.

I like the New American Standard Bible translation of this verse. It says:

I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.

Paul’s point in asking the question is to show that even though the Jews have stumbled on the rock (Jesus Christ), it is not a permanent condition for all Jews. A remnant of the Jews will be restored at some time in the future.

He is saying, “The Jews have not permanently fallen from grace, but they have stumbled, and by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles.” Had the Jews not stumbled, that is, if the Jews had welcomed their Messiah when he came the first time, then salvation would not have come to the Gentiles. But because they did reject Jesus, the message has now gone out to the Gentiles so that we might be saved.

And one of God’s purposes in giving salvation to the Gentiles is to provoke the Jews to jealousy. That which they had exclusive access to, a relationship with the God of all creation, is now being enjoyed by the Gentiles, while the Jews have lost their “most favored” position.

Later on in this chapter, though, Paul will show that God can turn from the Gentiles, as a people, just as He turned from the Jews as a nation.

Application

We need to guard this precious faith and the message of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ like a treasure from God. But, we need to openly share this treasure and the message with those around us. It is not something to be hoarded; rather, it is something to be given away!

Have you shared this treasure with anyone lately?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:10 – Blind Disobedience

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Romans 11:10 – Blind Disobedience

Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always.”

Truth to Learn

Whether blinded or obedient, we will all bow before Him.

Behind the Words

“Eyes” is translated from ophthalmos, which refers to the eyes either literally or figuratively. From this Greek word we get our English word ophthalmologist, referring to an eye doctor.

The word “darkened” is from skotidzō, meaning “to darken” or “to deprive of light.”

“See” is from the Greek word blepō, Which can refer either to the physical sense of sight or the mental ability to perceive or understand. We use the word “see” in the same way today.

The words “bow down” are translated from the verb sunkamptō, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and kamptō, meaning “to bend the back” or “to bow.” Thus, we see that sunkamptō literally means “to bend down together.” It is a picture of captive slaves whose backs are all bent under the weight of burdens.

Meaning Explained

This is the second half of the quotation Paul is making from the Psalm of David, Psalms 69:22, 23. In our discussion of the previous verse, we noted that this is a condemnation by David of the Jews at the time of Christ. They were living in ease and luxury while they crucified Jesus as a common criminal. The second half of this quotation from the Psalms is really covering the point that Paul is making in this part of Romans.

This is an imprecatory declaration by David. That is, he is calling down evil on these proud and ignorant Jews. David was asking God to blind them from the truth as retribution for their lack of faith. In other words, David is saying, “Lord, because they refuse to believe, don’t let them see the truth.” Because they gave Him vinegar to drink while they ate richly from the blessings that were being provided by the very One whom they were torturing, God has responded to David’s request and has blinded them from any future faith. And that is precisely what Paul is saying that God has done to the non-elect today.

While these few verses are specifically talking about the Jews, Paul will make the point that God deals the same way with the Gentiles, which makes this a cautionary warning that we all will be held accountable for our decisions regarding the Savior. Paul will show us that it was primarily because of this blindness of the Jews that the gospel message has come to the Gentiles, but he also warns us not to take this message lightly.

Application

When we look around us and see unsaved people enjoying the riches of this world, we are prone to think they are enjoying the blessings of God in spite of their overt sinfulness. However, because of their blindness to the truth, one day they will bow before their Judge as He condemns them to eternal torment. Likewise, we see many Christians prospering in spite of their unwillingness to submit to God as their Lord and Master. One day they, too, will stand before their Savior and watch as all their deeds go up in smoke, while the faithful few receive rewards for their humble obedient service.

As saved Christians we need to recognize that God is our Lord and Master, so we need to be bowing to Him, submitting our will to His, not the other way around.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:9 – Ensnared by Blessings

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Romans 11:9 – Ensnared by Blessings

And David says: “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a recompense to them.

Truth to Learn

Blessings can become a trap if taken for granted.

Behind the Words

The word “let” is translated from a form of ginomai, meaning “to cause to be” or “to become.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood indicating a command. Though in English we often interpret the word “let” as “allow,” it is used here and elsewhere in the Bible as a command to cause something to be.

The word “table” is from trapedza, which is made up of tetra, meaning “four” and pedza, meaning “foot.” Hence, it refers to something having four feet, like a table. It is used here as a metonym, referring to the feast that is on the table.

“Snare” is from pagis, “that which is set-up or fixed in place.” It is the word that is used to refer to a snare or a trap.

The word “trap” is from thēra, referring to “a hunt for an animal,” which usually ended up in the animal being caught in a net or other inescapable trap.

“Stumbling block” comes from skandalon, which refers to “the trigger of a trap on which the bait is placed.”

The word translated “recompense” is antapodoma, meaning “the penalty which is justly deserved.”

Meaning Explained

In this verse and the following Paul makes a very curious quotation from a psalm of King David. This quotation (though not exact) is from Psalms 69:22, 23 which reads:

Let their table become a snare before them, and their well-being a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; and make their loins shake continually.

But notice also the verse that comes just before this:

They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalms 69:21)

This passage is talking about the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, while he was hanging on the cross paying the penalty for all of our sins. While He was hanging on the cross, they were enjoying the blessings He had provided for them as God’s chosen people. But in the midst of their enjoyment of the benefits of God’s blessing, they were blinded by their appetites regarding the truth that was right in front of them. They were so busy enjoying the temporary, physical blessings which God had provided for them, they totally missed the eternal, spiritual blessings they should have received if they had only believed in the One they were killing. They were ensnared by their appetites, resulting in the penalty which they justly deserved.

Paul will finish his thought, and the condemnation of the unbelieving Jews, in the next verse.

Application

This is a warning to all of us not to take God’s blessings for granted. All of the temporal things that we have, our health, our welfare, our possessions, our freedom, our peace, are a direct gift from God and He can take away any or all of them at any moment. So, instead of taking them for granted, let’s stop right now and thank our Heavenly Father for them. Let’s release the right to have them to the One who truly owns them, and then trust in His care and provision for us.

I think it’s time to pray.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:8 – Divine Stupidity

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Romans 11:8 – Divine Stupidity

Just as it is written: “God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.”

Truth to Learn

God is the one who enlightens or stupefies.

Behind the Words

The word translated “stupor” is katanuxis, which is the noun form of katanussō, made up of kata (used as an intensifier) and nussō, meaning “to pierce” or “to stab.” Hence, katanuxis refers to a condition of having been deeply penetrated. Figuratively, it refers to a condition of deep sleep, or of intellectual stupor following a penetrating wound or a heavy blow. In today’s vernacular we might say that it is “a spirit of stupidity.”

“This very day” is translated from the Greek words sēmeron hēmeras. Sēmeron is from an earlier form, tē hēmera, meaning “the day” or “now.” Hēmeras is also a form of hēmera, which means “day.” In Greek, repetition indicates emphasis, so we see that this could be translated as “the now day” or “this very day” as we have in our translation here.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul introduced the idea that those Israelites who were not chosen were hardened (or blinded). In the current verse he paraphrases Isaiah 29:10 which says,

For the LORD has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.

This could also be a reference to Deuteronomy 29:4,

Yet the LORD has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day.

Or to Isaiah 6:9,10 which says,

And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed.”

Though Paul’s reference is most likely to Isaiah 29:10, clearly his declaration is that God has made them stupid, unable to see the facts clearly presented to them and unable to hear the truth even as it is being proclaimed to them. His point is that God is the one who has caused the unbelieving Israelites to not understand the true message about the Messiah from days of old even to the present day (in Paul’s time, and in our time).

In the following verse Paul will quote from King David to show that he expressed a similar sentiment.

Application

We have a commission to spread the Gospel truth to all people throughout the world. We do not know whom God has chosen and whom He has stupefied. That’s not up to us. We are simply to continue proclaiming the message of salvation and leave it up to God to give understanding or blindness. We may be called fools by the very people we witness to, but God sees us as a beautiful flower every time we proclaim the truth of Christ, the Lamb of God. Given the choice of being admired by the world or being called a fool by the world and admired by God, which would you choose? Which do you choose?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:7 – Chosen or Hardened

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Romans 11:7 – Chosen or Hardened

What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Truth to Learn

God chooses some and hardens the rest.

Behind the Words

“Seeks” is from epidzēteō, made up of epi, used as an intensifier and dzēteō, meaning “to seek.” Thus, we see it means “to intensely seek” or “to strive for.”

The word translated “blinded” is pōroō, meaning “to make hard as stone” hence, “calloused or insensitive.” Applied to the mind, it means “hardened, insensitive, or not comprehending.”

Meaning Explained

Paul is now drawing a conclusion regarding the statements that he has just made. That is, God has not abandoned His people, but neither has Israel obtained the righteousness that they tried to obtain for themselves. Those whom God has chosen have obtained this righteousness (because God imputed it to them) but the rest, those who are not elect, were hardened.

We see here, then, two things at work with regards to the righteousness of the elect (Jews in this case). The first is that it is not earned. There is no amount of works that will save them (or us). There is absolutely no single thing or combination of things that can be done which will save them (or us) and give them (or us) the righteousness of God. It is, as Paul says in Ephesians 1:5, “according to the good pleasure of His will” that they (and we) were chosen.

The second thing that we see here regarding election, and the righteousness that comes with it, is that those who were not chosen were hardened. But the obvious question is, “Who is responsible for this hardness or blindness?” Let’s see what Jesus, Isaiah, and Paul have to say about it:

Jesus – He (God, the Father) has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts, and turn, so that I should heal them. (John 12:40)

Isaiah – For the LORD has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, the seers. (Isaiah 29:10)

Paul – Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. (Romans 9:18)

Paul – whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

It is God who chooses and it is also God (through various means, including Satan) who blinds or hardens those whom He has not chosen, so that they cannot believe. And even now I can hear some saying, “But that’s not fair!”

In the next few verses Paul will continue with this statement of God’s hardening by quoting a couple of Old Testament passages which affirm what he has just said.

Application

We may not want to believe that God chooses some and hardens others, but that’s precisely what Paul teaches. Your church may teach something different, and you may believe that teaching. We want to believe that we are the ones in control of our own eternal destiny, but Paul teaches that God chooses whom He wants to choose and He hardens the rest. That’s what the Bible teaches; therefore, I believe it.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:6 – God Verses Works

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Romans 11:6 – God Verses Works

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Truth to Learn

It is either grace or works. It can’t be both.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “grace” is a form of charis, which we looked at in yesterday’s verse. I like how The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines charis:

A favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor.

“Works” is from the Greek word ergon, which means “to perform labor, to carry out some action, or to do a deed.” It is in these two latter senses that Paul uses the word in this verse.

Meaning Explained

Paul is now making a further point about the election of grace which he referred to in the previous verse. That verse said,

Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5)

The point he made there was that God’s choosing, His election, is by grace. It is done by God’s benevolent choice, without expectation of gaining anything in return. We did not earn it and we do not deserve it. And if it is truly unearned and unmerited, that means that we did nothing at all to earn it or to deserve it (we did not earn it or deserve it by deciding to get saved and asking Jesus into our heart).

In the current verse Paul says that if this election is by grace, then it is not the result of works, otherwise it would cease to be by grace. He is going to great lengths to show that God chooses whom he wants to save (whether in the Old Testament dispensation or in the church age), and he chooses strictly based on whom He wants to choose, not based on anything we have done or will do.

As I have said before, there are a lot of well meaning, committed Christians who claim that God foreknew who would believe and, as a result, chose them. But even believing in the truth of the gospel is an action on our part. It is a deed, an action, a work, and Paul says that if we are saved by a deed, then it is not by God’s grace. He says we are not saved by works, but by grace. It is God’s choice, not ours!

The “remnant in the present time” that Paul is talking about in these verses refers to the people saved during the church age, whom he is comparing to the remnant of Israel that God promised Elijah were set-apart in his day. It also refers to the remnant of Israel who will be saved when the Messiah returns. Paul tells us that each of these groups is chosen by God’s election, not based on their works (their faithfulness or any other of their actions) but by His gift of grace.

Application

My friends, I don’t know how Paul can make this any clearer. We are saved, not because of what we have done, but because of what He has done. I don’t deserve this salvation any more than you do and none of us did anything to earn it.

We are saved by God’s grace because He chose us. Period!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:5 – The Chosen Remnant

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Romans 11:5 – The Chosen Remnant

Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Truth to Learn

We are the remnant, chosen to be God’s children, by His grace alone.

Behind the Words

The word translated “election” is the Greek word eklogē. This is a compound word made up of ek, meaning “out” and a form of legō, meaning “to choose” or “to select.” Thus we see that it literally means “to choose out” or “to select out.” According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary, “this word refers to the benevolent purpose of God by which any are chosen unto salvation so that they are led to embrace and persevere in Christ’s bestowed grace and the enjoyment of its privileges and blessings here and hereafter.”

“Grace” is translated from charis, which is based on the verb chairō, meaning “to be calmly happy or well off.” Charis specifically refers to “the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life producing happiness and peace.” It is often thought of as “our undeserved favor from God.”

Meaning Explained

Paul now brings his readers back to the present (meaning both the present at the time this letter was written and the present time today). He says that it is just the same in the present, that a remnant has come into being. The remnant he refers to is a concept that Jews well understood. God promised the Jews that He would preserve a remnant out of Israel who would be saved. They have always believed that the salvation of the remnant refers to them being saved from the ravages of their oppressors and that the remnant would finally inherit the land and reign with the Messiah. Paul’s point, however, is that the remnant in his day is composed of those whom God has chosen “according to the election of grace.”

I know that election (God’s choosing those of us who are to be saved independent of any act or action on our part) is a difficult doctrine for many Christians to grasp. However, Paul states it so clearly and so often that, if you believe the Bible is truth, it is even more difficult to deny it than to believe it. Paul believed in and taught election as a fact. Therefore, we should simply accept it as truth, even if we don’t completely understand it.

Paul calls it “the election of grace” because he understands that election is not by choice on our part, it’s an undeserved gift from God. We don’t choose to be saved. We don’t simply decide that we will get saved and then say the sinners prayer. Before the foundation of the earth, God chose those who would be saved. It involves the sovereign hand of God which removes the blindfold from the eyes of the elect. Only then can we see, and understand, the truth of the gospel so that we may become saved. It is all God’s work and it is all by grace (totally undeserved by those who receive it) so God is the only one who can receive the glory for it. In the next verse Paul will make the specific point that this election is not by anything that we have done (works); it is strictly by His grace!

Application

God, thank you for your gift of salvation. I didn’t, don’t, and won’t ever deserve it! You deserve all the credit, all the glory, and all the praise. In thanks to you, I humbly submit my will to yours and ask that you use me in whatever way you determine, to bring praise to Yourself. Wonderful is your grace!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:4 – Focus on Him

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Romans 11:4 – Focus on Him

But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to ba’al.”

Truth to Learn

God wants us to keep our focus on Him, not on ourselves.

Behind the Words

“Divine response” is from chrēmatismos, meaning “the answer from an oracle.” It is often translated as “a warning.” This is not simply a response from God, but a stern warning to Elijah that he does not understand the real situation.

The Greek word translated “reserved” is kateleipō, which is a compound word made up of kata, which means “down” but is used here as an intensifier and leipo, which means “to leave.” Literally, it means “to leave behind,” which is the negative use of this word. It is also used in a positive sense meaning “to set apart or to reserve.”

Meaning Explained

Paul is talking about Elijah the prophet of God who defeated the prophets of ba’al in a contest on Mount Carmel to prove who is really God, Jehovah or ba’al. When ba’al failed (he is merely a god, not the true God), and Jehovah succeeded (He is truly the one and only GOD ALMIGHTY), Elijah commanded the people to kill all the false prophets. But then, in fear of Jezebel’s threatened retaliation, he fled to the wilderness to a cave in Mt Horeb. Here Elijah lamented to God that all Israel had forsaken Him and that he alone remained of the faithful. Let’s see how God responds to Elijah.

Paul tells us that the divine answer that God gave to Elijah is this, “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to ba’al.” In other words, even though Elijah thought he alone was still faithful, God warned him not to think so selfishly; there were seven thousand others who were also still faithful to God. Now, when compared to the hundreds of thousands, or even millions of Israelites in the land at that time, seven thousand doesn’t sound like very many. But compared to Elijah’s lament, “I am left alone,” seven thousand is a pretty big number. It’s simply a matter of perspective and God’s perspective is always the correct one.

The point is that God set apart a remnant of Israel who were still faithful to Him. You will notice that God did not say that there are seven thousand who have proven themselves to be faithful by their actions and deeds. He said that He had “reserved” to Himself these seven thousand men. Here is God’s message to Elijah, “My dear son, I have not left you alone, there are seven thousand others that I have set-apart to Myself. These have not bowed to ba’al; they bow to Me.”

Do you see the impact of what God says? He, as the active agent in the process, set-apart seven thousand Israelites to be faithful. He chose them, they did not choose Him! In the following verse Paul will call it “election.”

Application

Isn’t this the way it feels sometimes, when we are under spiritual attack? It seems that all is falling down around us and we are all alone with no one to turn to. But even if it were true that everyone else had forsaken us, we can always turn to God. He will never forsake those whom He has chosen. Keep your focus on Him, not yourself. Remember, we are not the ones in control – He is.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:3 – Feelings or Faith

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Romans 11:3 – Feelings or Faith

“LORD, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”?

Truth to Learn

Don’t let circumstances control your feelings, let faith do it.

Behind the Words

“Killed” is translated from apokteinō. This is a compound word made up of apo, meaning “away from,” used as an intensifier and kteinō, meaning “to kill.” This word implies killing with intention.

The words “torn down” are from the Greek word kataskaptō, which is made up of kata, meaning “down” and skaptō, meaning “to dig.” Hence, we see that this word literally means “to dig down.” In other words, it means “to tear down” or “to destroy.”

“Seek” is from dzēteō, which means “to seek after, to pursue, or to try to find.”

Meaning Explained

In order to get the full impact of the current verse we have to look at it along with the second half of the previous verse.

Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “LORD, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”?

This is a paraphrase by Paul of I Kings 19:10 (for it is neither a quotation from the Hebrew Bible nor from the Septuagint) but it expresses the gist of what Elijah said to God. The surprising thing is that Elijah said it in a cave to which he had fled from Jezebel after having defeated and killed all of her prophets of ba’al. At a time when Elijah should have been strongest and most confident (after a great spiritual victory), he was weak. Even after God had performed a miracle by sending fire from heaven to consume not only Elijah’s soaking wet sacrifice but the entire altar as well, Elijah was now afraid. In the heat of the victory, Elijah had boldly commanded the people to kill all of the false prophets of Jezebel. But when she had retaliated by threatening his life, instead of standing up to her in the name of The Lord, Elijah fled south heading into the wilderness until he came to a cave in Mount Horeb (possibly the same mountain where God met with Moses and gave him the Ten Commandments). It is here where Elijah, one of the greatest of God’s prophets, filled with fear and doubt, poured out his lament before God.

With a broken Elijah humbled before God, Paul is going to demonstrate God’s willingness and ability to choose a few to be faithful to His name out of many who are not. We will cover this more in the next verse.

Application

Even in the aftermath of spiritual victory we sometimes feel weak and vulnerable. But as Elijah discovered, it is not our feelings that God is concerned about, it is our faith. Faith in our all-powerful God is what enables us to reach out in prayer, not seeking our own glory, but giving the glory to Him.

Are you feeling under attack from our spiritual enemy? What is your response? Will you selfishly cry out in despair? Or will you humble yourself before God, seek His face, and confidently pray for His will to be done and for Him to give you the strength and will to endure this trial, for His sake?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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