The Infinite wisdom and Planning of God

Romans 11:25-36

One of the justifications for hating the Jews has been that they killed Jesus. It was used to excuse attempts at genocide repeatedly by so-called “Christian” groups, from Constantine’s day to the present. While it is true that the Jews demanded his crucifixion, It was illegal for them to authorize his death according to John 18:31. “Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:” Pilate authorized his execution after finding him not guilty, and the Roman soldiers conducted the execution. Both Jews and Gentiles were equally guilty.

Paul warns of the danger of feeling somehow superior to the Jews because they haven’t believed. One reason they didn’t understand was to give the gentiles an opportunity to be saved. Time after time we‘re told that the apostles went to the gentiles because the Jews refused to listen. It is still the reason why few of them turn to Christ. When the Gentiles have had their time to choose God, then Christ will come again and establish his kingdom here on earth. He will destroy their enemies, and Israel will serve him completely. The Tribulation period is not for the Gentiles, although some will turn to God in that day. It is last week of the seventy weeks that God told Daniel was determined on Israel, in Daniel 9, known as the “time of Jacob’s trouble.” Israel turns to God for deliverance as a result of the events of that period.

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Romans 11:25-27)

Though they have rejected him and become his enemies by trying to destroy the gospel, God will still honor his promise to the patriarchs. He never changes his mind. Just as we had the opportunity to hear and be saved as a result of their rejection, The Jews of that day will hear because of the gentiles who have preached and preserved the word of God until that time.

“As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” (Romans 11:28-32)

God knew that while some Jews would believe, the main part would not. He planned that the few who did believe would be forced to reach out to the gentiles. He would then use the gentiles to preserve and spread his word and one day the Jews would accept it from them. The same salvation was made available to every human being as a result.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.“ (Romans 11:33-36)

No created being, whether human, angel or devil, could have ever made such a plan work so that it was fair to every individual throughout history. Governments and leaders always have unforseen consequences of decisions. Frequently, the unexpected consequences are worse than the original problem. God worked out every detail to eliminate all such problems. What a wonderful and wise God!