Romans 11:9-12

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 78 Chapter 11:9 – 12

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Last week Paul had said some bold things concerning his beloved Israel .
1. Verse 7 “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded”

a. “… Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for…” that is salvation by the works of the law.

b. “…but the election hath obtained it…” that is to the remnant in which God had chosen to save.

c. “…and the rest were blinded” to never turn to Christ for salvation, but rather their hearts of hatred would crucify our Lord.

2. Verse 8 is a deeper explanation of verse 7 “(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.”

a. Paul is simply quoting Old Testament scripture to prove his point. However notice who gave them “the spirit of slumber” God did. Don’t tell me God does not elect in salvation!

b. “…eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear…” That they will never see or hear the truth about Christ; in fact Christ was a stumblingblock to them rather than a Saviour.

2. Verse 9 “And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:”
1. Here Paul quotes David in the Psalms. Psalms 69:23 - 24 “Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. (24.) Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.”
2. Verse 9 reminds us of our studies in Malachi on Sunday nights. Were the Priest were allowing bad animals to be used on the alter. Malachi 1:7 “Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.”
3. Their tables were to be a place of joy and peace, so what was a welfare to them became a trap for them instead. They were so involved with their ceremonies and rituals that they missed the Messiah and not only missed Him but crucified Him.
4. These very things, that is their ceremonies and rituals went from something wonderful for them to be their snare or trap to miss Christ. Lets not forget God had blinded their eye and because of this they missed Him. Could Gods plan from the beginning had been for this, that their ceremonies and rituals was created with the blindness in mind?
5. Could it be today that the scriptures are written in such a way that God meant for people (the non-elect) to be religious but not believe in Christ as the Saviour?
6. Could the bible actually be written in one big parable so that only the elect could actually see and hear the truth?
3. Verse 10 “Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.”
1. That is let their spiritual eye be darkened and to never see the goodness in Christ. In Ephesians Paul speaks of Gentiles but the same meaning is here also. Ephesians 4:18 “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”
2. “…and bow down their back alway.” This speaks of a heavy burden weighing them down which their ceremonies and rituals did just as works for salvation does today.
4. Verse 11 “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.”
1. Remember God changed from the Israelites to the Gentiles to carry the gospel message. This is that shifting of gears (so to speak).
2. The question is “…Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid…” – Have they fallen that they should never return; No not at all. God will save some more, however for now Gods energy has turned to the Gentiles.

a. God used their fall to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, and use the Gentiles to carry the gospel message as He wanted.

b. God also done this in order to make the Jews return out of jealousy and one day it will work for a remnant of them. We see God using the Jesus once again in the Tribulation period.

3. Acts 13:46 “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”
4. Verse 12 “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” - The question is basically this – if the riches or Gods blessings of being used of God are given to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous; then what happens to the Gentiles after Israel returns?
1. First of all, God has enough blessings to supply both Israelites and Gentiles.
2. Second, when the Israelites return to God through Christ we will be with the Lord because this event will not happen until the tribulation period.
3. Acts 15:16-18 “After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: (17.) That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. (18.) Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” Take special notice to verse 18!