I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, “The One who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and He will turn Israel away from ungodliness. And this is My covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.”
Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people He loves because He chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn. Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against Him, God was merciful to you instead. Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so He could have mercy on everyone.
Romans 11:25-32
Paul wants us to understand this mystery. What mystery? It is not secret knowledge only for the initiated (á la the Gnostics) nor is it incomprehensible. It is a mystery in that it was not known beforehand but now is fully revealed. The mystery is Israel and God’s plan. It lies at the heart of Paul’s initial question – if nothing can separate us from the love of God what is happening with Israel? A good question. Why is Israel suffering like they are? A profound understanding of God, his plan and his love must account for Israel, His chosen people. That is why Paul is staying with this matter for three chapters. It is a matter for us to give serious attention to. It is the mystery of the Gospel, the mystery of Israel, indeed the mystery of God’s love. What turns it on; can anything turn it off?
Israel is experiencing a hardening. The word is “porosis” – calluses, blindness. It is a word used in English from Greek as a medical term. It is an interesting condition. It can lead to “calluses” or hardening in the blood or in the liver. But in the bones it leads to brittleness or making them porous and full of little holes. Yes a hardening of the heart will do the same thing. Callousness or indifference sets in which ultimately will erode the foundations. Be careful not to fall into the trap that Israel fell into. Watch out for calluses on your heart.
It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.
Francis of Assisi
The sermons most needed today are sermons in shoes.
C H Spurgeon