The Mystery: Israel and the Gentiles

Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Church (the body of believers in Jesus Christ) in the Book of Romans of “the mystery” regarding Israel’s (at this time, the visible remnant of Israel in the house of Judah, the Jews) unbelief and opposition to Jesus which will exist until a time in the future when the Gentiles would be filled with the Gospel of Jesus the Christ. Once the Gentiles are saved by the belief in the Gospel of Jesus the Christ, then all of Israel, the remnant of the twelve tribes (both the house of Israel and house of Judah) shall be saved.

Paul’s Letter to the Romans was not only a letter to the church at Rome, but his own kinsmen of the twelve tribes of Israel, but in particular the house of Judah, or the Jews.

At that time, while some of the Jews believed in Jesus, many still held to the traditions of the present-day Pharisaical Judaism and did not believe the Gospel Paul was preaching.

The apostle Paul who was born of house Judah, of the Israelite tribe of Benjamin, was grieved by the lack of faith among his people and fellow Israelites who failed to see who the promise by God (YHWH) to Abraham was fulfilled in Christ, Jesus.

Read Romans 9:1-5

Romans 9:1-5
¶ I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

In this scripture Paul is speaking about physical Israel, the children of Israel in the flesh whom God gave the law, the Covenants, the promises to. They are of the fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob or the same flesh kinsmen and lineage out of whom Jesus, the Christ was born (of the tribe of Judah).

Paul then continues to illustrate a key point.

Romans 9:6-8
¶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Paul states that not all Israel in the flesh is Israel, nor are all Abraham’s seed the children of Abraham, but according to the Promise by YHWH to Abraham, it is in Isaac’s seed the children of God would be called. That “seed” of the promise, is fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

Read YHWH’s Promise to Abraham.

Genesis 21:12
And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Paul illustrates this key point in another letter to the Galatian church.

Galatians 4:16
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Read the full scripture in his letter to the Galatians.

Galatians 4:16-29
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 ¶ Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Paul teaches that Promise was to a single seed, not a plural, seeds, and that Seed is Christ.

Paul continues to write that Law which could not bring righteousness, but the imputing of sin for failure to obey all of the law of God.

All who lived by the law, were bound to the law, and all who transgressed the law were under sin. Therefore, no one was justified by the law, rather we are justified through faith in God, faith in Jesus the Christ, the Seed of Abraham and heirs to the Promise of YHWH. As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Jesus. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or freeman, male or female, for all are one in the Body of Christ Jesus. If you are in born again in Christ then you are born of the seed of Abraham accounted to the promise (of YHWH to Abraham).

These next Scriptures refer to the prophesies of Israel.

Romans 9:25-10:13
¶ As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. 29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. 30 ¶ What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 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; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 1 ¶ Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Paul quotes the prophet Hosea who is a prophet in the time of the captivity of Israel, both the house of Judah, and the house of Israel; both houses were taken away into the Gentles.

The house of Israel was taken by Assyrian captivity in c. 722 BC and the house of Judah was taken into Babylon, c. 585 BC. They were declared by YHWH as “not my people” for they sinned in worshiping other gods and broke God’s laws and were cast away off the land of Israel and into the gentile nations as no more a people. The prophesy of Hosea states that God will have mercy and where it was said they were not his people Israel, they shall be called the children of the living God. Then Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah stating concerning the children of Israel, though they be as the sand of the sea, a remnant will be saved.

Paul then asks a question. Why do the Gentiles who were not given the laws of God and separated from the promises of God attained the righteousness of God by faith, but Israel who received the law and sought righteousness by the law did not attain righteousness? His answer is because they (Israel) sought it not by faith, but by doing works of the law.

Paul’s sincere desire was that his people Israel who failed to believe, in faith, will be saved; for they have a great zeal for God, but have not the knowledge of God. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness continue to adhere to the traditions of the Old Covenant law to establish their own righteousness and failed to comprehend righteousness by faith.

Christ is the end of the law through faith to everyone who believes in Jesus the Christ. That if one shall confess with the mouth that Jesus is Lord and shall truly believe in the heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, that one shall be saved.

Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah whosoever believes in YHWH’s precious corner stone, Christ Jesus, shall not be ashamed.

Read Isaiah 28:16

Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Therefore, Paul writes, there is no difference between the Jew (Israelite) and the Greek (non-Israelite Gentile) for Christ the Lord is rich to all who call upon him, for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Paul then asks, did Israel not know?

Romans 10:16-21
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Paul concludes Israel was given instructions and the knowledge by Moses and the prophets, but Israel and its people did not listen to YHWH God, nor Moses, nor his prophets. They were continually disobedient and blind to the truth.

Paul then asks has God cast away his people Israel?

Read what Paul declares.

Romans 11:1-14
¶ 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. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Paul states the answer. No, God has not cast away his people Israel, for many Israelites have already believed and are in the grace of Christ Jesus. Paul states the rest of visible Israel, the Jews, were blinded. They were blinded not that they should fall, rather that salvation has come to the Gentiles to provoke the Jews of Israel to jealousy.

This Brings us to “the mystery” Paul wrote of Israel and the Gentiles

Romans 11:25-32
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Paul states that blindness of Israel, the Jews of the house of Judah, happened, until the fullness of the Gentiles come to Christ, for then all Israel, the ten tribes of the house of Israel (which was lost into the Gentiles) and the two tribes of the house of Judah, or Jews, (also a great portion lost into the Gentiles) will ultimately come to believe in Christ and be saved.

Paul describes the Jews of his day as enemies of the Gospel, but they are still considered the elect, or beloved by God. God will save Israel and has already redeemed Israel (all twelve tribes) from their sins by Christ Jesus on the cross through the New Covenant, through faith.

Paul writes as we once were unbelievers before we came to Christ, yet now in Christ we have obtained grace and mercy of God all made possible by a former Covenant people’s fall from grace which caused God to establish a New Covenant.

Now those who of Israel who in unbelief of Jesus Christ might obtain mercy of God by the mercy shown to the Gentiles, for God has concluded all (Israelites and non-Israelites) in unbelief, that He might show Mercy on all through faith in Christ Jesus.

Today, like in Paul’s day, there are Israelites who are already believers in Jesus Christ. Many Jews came to be baptized into Christ in the day of the apostles of Jesus and Paul. Later as the Gospel spread abroad many more Israelites will be saved out of the Gentiles, because Israel was lost into the Gentiles. Their descendants are a remnant element of the Gentile Church today and recognized as “Christians.”

Today, like in Paul’s day, there are millions of modern day “Jews” who cling to modern Judaism, who do not accept Jesus as their Christ. While Jesus has redeemed Israel from their sins on the cross (33 AD), they too must accept Jesus as their messiah and Christ, abandon their old traditions and believe the Gospel, and be saved under the New Covenant.

Just as the apostle Paul wrote in his first chapter of the book of Romans.

Romans 1:16-17
¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Clearly the righteousness of God is obtained from faith as God stated the just shall live by faith.

Habakkuk 2:4
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Let’s finish with the last scriptures in the eleventh chapter of the Paul’s letter to the Romans.

Romans 11:33-35
¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Indeed! Amen! How amazing and unsearchable are the thoughts of Almighty God! For God seeks that no man should perish, but all might be saved in the salvation of Jesus the Christ of Israel by giving the Gentiles salvation through faith and an inheritance with the Israel of God within the New Covenant God made with Israel.

Praise God for his amazing grace and mercy!

Praise YHWH for his amazing love and care for Abraham and his seed!

Praise God! For he has redeemed his people Israel and made a way of salvation for all who would hear his voice to believe in Jesus the Christ and be baptized in the blood sacrifice of his Son, Jesus the Christ.

Do you hear that voice calling to you now?

If you don’t know about the great plan of salvation God has for the world, then I invite you to learn of Jesus.

Do you know Jesus died for your sins!

Do you know Jesus?

If you do know Jesus, then you might want to read this study on the blood of the lamb.

Are you covered by the blood of the lamb?

May God bless you with the grace of our Lord Jesus the Christ!