Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
Although most of the Jews rejected the faith, there were still some who believed and accepted thus pertaining to the so-called "remnant" in verse 5. Although, Israel has "stumbled" as per verse 11, God gave them leeways to reverse their disbelief and come back to Him in repentance. Then, speaking to the Gentiles, Paul explained why this was so - that the number of Gentile believers would reach its full number (verse 12, 25).
Paul spoke in metaphors from verse 16 where:-
- the branches broken off signifies the fallen Israel. However, the "believing remnant" (J. McArthur) were preserved by God.
- the wild olive tree are the Gentiles that were "grafted in" (verse 17) when the unproductive branches were cut off (again, Israel)
- the root and fatness symbolises God's blessings and thus made the Gentile Christians partakers of these favours as well.
- the olive tree in its fullness refers to God's people - the sons of Abraham
Nonetheless, Paul warned the Romans saying that they must be careful not to disobey for if God did not spare the natural branches he may not spare them either (verse 21) and if they fall away it may be difficult for them to be grafted back in as they were considered "wild" meaning, they were not part of the natural olive tree.
Apostle Paul reiterated that out of Israel's disobedience came mercy for the Gentiles and the Jews themselves. The vastness of this principle is beyond man's own interpretation thus Romans 11:33.
We may not understand the fullness of God's mysteries but because of His great love and mercy, we remain faithful.
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