The Hardening of Israel
Some edifying comments regarding the Mystery of Romans 11
(i) Isn’t the hardening of the heart and mind the worst punishment God gave them up to (those in unbelief)?
True – Just like Israel’s case
“I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove godlessness from Jacob.” (Romans 11:25 – 26)
(ii) How about the “hardening verses” which speak of their rejection? Doesn’t that imply a rejection which lasts forever?
Yes, thank you for pointing out their rejection but it’s not forever as ‘All Israel will be saved’.
let’s not forget these ‘hardening verses’ in Romans 11 too:
“as it is written:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that could not see,
and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.”
And David says:
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
Let their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.” (Romans 11:8 – 10, BSB)
God’s Sovereignty determined “their hardening”
And also, the “conclusion” verses (both inevitable & ‘to be fulfilled’ in time):
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)
“To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10)
*not to mention inaccurate translations of ‘forever’
(iii) But aren’t they enemies with reprobate minds?
The “enemy” state is temporal but being ‘loved’ (“beloved”, these ‘same’ ones) is ‘irrevocable’ as apostle Paul mentions from this ‘same’ chapter 11 when he explains ‘the details’:
“Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.” (Romans 11:28)
The verse above explains why ‘all Israel being Saved’ makes ‘sense’ namely, because the being “Enemies” state is temporal but being “Beloved” is an ‘irrevocable calling’ as the ‘next verse’ from this ‘same’ chapter describes so clearly:
“For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)
The “gift” of “All Israel being Saved” is what’s referred to in the verse above as “irrevocable”
Amazing, isn’t it?
God’s Sovereignty plainly written to mean it ‘as it is’
(iv) How about ‘Context’?
Dear Brother/sister
Context is taking the verses from Romans 11 to explain “all Israel to be saved” as it is written
Not quoting wrongly translated forevers and verses (or unmentioned prophecies) from elsewhere which apostle Paul himself did “not” quote when he discussed ‘all Israel will be saved’ in Romans 11
I will stick to what’s written in Romans 11 for context because I am ‘not’ better than apostle Paul when he himself didn’t use other verses or words to explain it apart from the inspired verses in Romans 11 ‘only’ to explain “all Israel will be saved” as ‘it is written’
Biblical Conclusion
It is inevitable that all Israel will be saved. It’s an example of what God in His Will intends to do likewise with the world and Gentiles to as these words are found and echoed in Romans 11 too.
Truly,
The Gospel = Good News
Comment: The links between Romans 11 & related Old Testament verses where “all Israel will be saved” prophecy is found & understood clearly when ‘read together’:
1) Removal of All Sin of Israel
‘All’ sin of Jacob (Israel) is fully paid for by the Deliverer (Lord Jesus Christ) from Zion (Sion):
“Therefore by this is the iniquity of Jacob covered, And this is all the fruit — To take away his sin, in His setting all the stones of an altar, As chalkstones beaten in pieces, They rise not — shrines and images.” (Isaiah 27:9)
“and so all Israel shall be saved, according as it hath been written, ‘There shall come forth out of Sion he who is delivering, and he shall turn away impiety from Jacob,
and this to them [is] the covenant from Me, when I may take away their sins.’” (Romans 11:26 – 27)
“And come to Zion hath a Redeemer, Even to captives of transgression in Jacob, An affirmation of Jehovah.
And I — this [is] My covenant with them, said Jehovah, My Spirit that [is] on thee, And My words that I have put in thy mouth, Depart not from thy mouth, And from the mouth of thy seed, And from the mouth of thy seed’s seed, said Jehovah, From henceforth unto the age!” (Isaiah 59:20 – 21)
“Surely Thou [art] a God hiding Thyself, God of Israel — Saviour!” (Isaiah 45:15)
“Israel hath been saved in Jehovah, A salvation age-during! Ye are not ashamed nor confounded Unto the ages of eternity!” (Isaiah 45:17, YLT)
2) Sin mentioned no more
All Israel’s sins are removed & remembered no more whilst all Israel learns ‘Who YHWH is as Savior Who does this’ during the time of His Covenant with them fulfilling this:
“For this [is] the covenant that I make, With the house of Israel, after those days, An affirmation of Jehovah, I have given My law in their inward part, And on their heart I do write it, And I have been to them for God, And they are to me for a people.
And they do not teach any more Each his neighbour, and each his brother, Saying, Know ye Jehovah, For they all know Me, from their least unto their greatest, An affirmation of Jehovah; For I pardon their iniquity, And of their sin I make mention no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33 – 34)
“They will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 37:23)
3) All Israel Definition
Does it speak of ‘All Israel’ with regards to
—-> including the “hardened Jews” (unbelieving, wicked ones)? Yes, verse:
“For I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, of this secret — that ye may not be wise in your own conceits — that hardness in part to Israel hath happened till the fulness of the nations may come in;” (Romans 11:25)
—-> including the “Jewish Enemies” of the Gospel? Verse:
“As regards, indeed, the good tidings (Gospel), [they are] enemies on your account; and as regards the choice — beloved on account of the fathers” (Romans 11:28)
—-> including ‘all Jews’ from the time of Abraham onwards with regards to being “enemies” of the “Gospel” (definition of time span linked to the ‘Gospel’)? Verse:
“And the Scripture, having foreseen that God justifies the Gentiles by faith, foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All the nations will be blessed in you.” (Galatians 3:8)
—-> Including “the dead wicked Israelites”? (those with ‘no hope’ are mentioned as part of) the ‘whole (all, not some or part or believing) Israel’ in related verses below to this Great Prophecy of Salvation toward them collectively being placed in their land as well:
“Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’
“Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.
“Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people.
“I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.’””(Ezekiel 37:11 – 14)
4) Believers
Believers are a “remnant” in that “present time” (not for ‘all time’) to demonstrate God’s Grace ‘on earth’ itself:
“In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;” (Romans 11:5 – 7)
5) Similar Salvation to Gentiles is echoed first:
“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew…” (Romans 11:1 – 2)
“I say then, they (“hardened Israel”) 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.” (Romans 11:11)
6) Salvation for All eventually
Salvation for All Gentiles and the World too echoed
Explaining the ‘reason for hardening’ is to have ‘Mercy’ on ‘all’ (Jew, Gentile & World) in order to ‘save them all by His Will’:
“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.
Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!” (Romans 11:11 – 12)
“For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:15)
“For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.
For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.” (Romans 11:30 – 32)
“Declare ye, and bring near, Yea, they take counsel together, Who hath proclaimed this from of old? From that time hath declared it? Is it not I — Jehovah? And there is no other god besides Me, A God righteous and saving, there is none save Me.
Turn to Me, and be saved, all ends of the earth, For I [am] God, and there is none else.
By Myself I have sworn, Gone out from my mouth in righteousness hath a word, And it turneth not back, That to Me, bow doth every knee, every tongue swear (allegiance).
Only in Jehovah, said hath one, Have I righteousness and strength, Unto Him he cometh in, And ashamed are all those displeased with Him.
In Jehovah are all the seed of Israel justified, And they boast themselves.’” (Isaiah 45:21 – 25)
