IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 11:5

First, God's faithfulness (1-10). Because so few of the Jews accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah, one might wonder if God had rejected his people. Nothing could be further from the truth! God is faithful to his people. Paul himself was an example of a Jew who had been saved by the direct intervention of Christ. In fact, as in the days of Elijah, God reserved for himself a whole remnant among the Jews who put their faith in Christ. They were chosen on the basis of sheer grace and their salvation was a gift from God. On the other hand, the remaining Israelites continued their efforts to earn their salvation by works. In doing so, they refused the free gift of God. This is very dangerous. Eventually, God hardens the hearts of people who seek their own righteousness in this way.

Second, salvation has come to the Gentiles (11-12). The Jews have certainly stumbled over Jesus, but this stumbling is only temporary. Paul says that salvation came to the Gentiles in order to make Israel envious. This means that the love and hope of Christ should be so evident in our lives that the Jews see it and long to possess it for themselves. May God make it so! One day, the Gentiles will benefit even more by Israel's full inclusion in the Lord. God will bless the whole world through them.

Prayer: Father, your promises and your work never fail.

One Word: God chose a remnant by grace