I enjoyed reading through Romans, chapter 11 this morning. There is wonderful teaching by Paul on the mystery of the gospel. He discusses what God had in mind when He hardened the hearts of most Jews so that they didn't understand or acccept Jesus as savior. He clarifies the strategy God had in mind to make the truths of salvation available to the Gentile world through the rejection by the Jewish people. He also affirms the Lord's love for Israel and he explains that this "partial hardening" of their understanding will someday end when the Gentile world has had its appointed time to respond to Him. Paul makes the point that we are seeing the fulfillment of God's plans...the outworking of His thoughts, which are beyond our comprehension. As he says in verses 33 and 34: "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?" I think the final verse of chapter 11 is the most comforting as we contemplate God's absolute sovereignty: "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." Until God has become "from, through and to...all things" to us personally I don't think we have fully embraced Him or completely bowed before Him.
blessings,
Rob Smith
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