ADDRESSES ON ROMANS LECTURE x RIGHTEOUSNESS REJECTED (Continued) 9: 1-11 :36 ISRAEL'S FUTURE 11: 1-36
"GOD HATH NOT CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE" In times past Israel, as a nation, rejected the gift of God's righteousness, and dispensationally they were set aside, while the Gentiles are being blessed. In this church age, though the nation is blinded "in part," yet individual Jews are being saved, baptized into the Body of Christ, in which "there is neither Jew nor Greek." In the age to come, when Christ re- turns in glory to reign on earth, "all Israel shall be saved"- as a nation. This is Paul's message to us in chapters nine, ten. and eleven of his letter to the Romans. As today we consider chapter eleven, let us think of it as the conclusion of this division of the epistle which presents God's dealings with His ancient people. And what a glorious future it promises for this wonderful nation-rebellious, yet beloved of God; persecuted and despised, yet ever protected by Jehovah; and one day to rejoice in the promised blessings from the God of all grace! The key to the chapter is found in the question raised by Paul in the opening words, "I say then, Hath God cast away his people?" And his answer is; "God forbid ... God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew" (verses 1, 2). In the words which follow the apostle presents several arguments to prove his point, arguments which are both convincing and irrefutable because they are taken from the Word of God. Again, as in the preceding chapters, we are impressed with the skilfull way in which Paul uses the.Old Testament Scriptures to prove that Christ is eternal God; that His offer of salvation ha.S ever been on the ground of His atoning work on the cross; and that His covenant with His ancient people. [Page 203
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