I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Romans 11:1-4

Now we start looking at maybe one of the most controversial or misunderstood chapters in the Bible, the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, makes a clear case for Israel and God’s remnant. While many people today believe God is finished with Israel, the Holy Spirit tells us a different story. As the Apostle Paul begins with a rhetorical question “Has God cast away His people”?

Paul then answers his own question “God forbid” or “Certainly Not” , now this should be the end of the debate whether God is finished with Israel, however Paul will go through an entire chapter explaining God is not finished with Israel yet. I know this knowledge angers many Gentiles and Jews, however this was predicted as the Church and Israel are going to drive each other to jealousy over their relationship with God (Romans 11:11, 14)

The Apostle Paul who is a Jew himself, from the tribe a Benjamin, a well trained Pharisee, he knows the Mosaic Law , He knows how radical the New Covenant in Christ is, Jews and Gentiles can become Children of God through Christ, (Galatians 3:26) A concept that many still can’t grasp, however as the Apostle Paul states “God has not cast away His people which He foreknew” It’s clear God is not finished with Israel yet!

Now the Apostle Paul uses an example of the prophet Elijah to teach his point the prophet Elijah made intercession to God against Israel saying “Lord they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars and I am left alone” I can hear many Christians today saying the same things, claiming we are the only ones who are worthy of being saved, claiming we are the only ones who haven’t blasphemed God, beware of our self righteousness!

What was God’s answer to the prophet? “I have reserved myself for seven thousand men who have not bowed a knee to Baal” God still has a remnant in Israel, just as God still has a remnant in the Church. There are many “Churches” today that are as blasphemous as the one who rejects Christ, but God will always have a remnant! Is God finished with Israel, No, God has preserved a remnant that will become Born Again in Jesus Christ, just as the early Church did, Amen!