In Romans 11:25-36, the Apostle Paul unveils a profound mystery concerning the future salvation of Israel and the inclusion of the Gentiles in Yah’s redemptive plan. He explains that Israel’s current state of partial rejection, or "blindness," is temporary and will eventually lead to their full restoration. Paul’s key declaration in this passage is that “all Israel shall be saved”—specifically referring to ethnic Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Now let us explore the meaning of this passage, focusing on the statement that Israel is considered “enemies for the Gentiles' sake” and how this concept fits into Yah’s larger plan of salvation. We will also examine how Gentiles, who were once without hope, have been included in Yah’s covenant through Yahusha and how Israel’s future redemption remains central to Yah’s eternal promises.
Israel’s Blindness and the Fullness of the Gentiles
Paul begins by revealing a "mystery" in Romans 11:25 (KJV): “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.” Here, Paul speaks of a partial blindness that has come upon Israel because they rejected Yahusha as the Messiah. However, this blindness is temporary and partial, meaning that it will only last until a certain point, which Paul calls the "fulness of the Gentiles." This phrase refers to the period in which Gentiles are being brought into Yah’s family through faith in Yahusha.
After this time, Paul proclaims in Romans 11:26 (KJV): “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.” Paul is referencing the national redemption of Israel, pointing toward a future time when many Israelites will turn back to Yah and accept Yahusha as their Messiah. This future restoration is deeply connected to Yah’s overall plan for salvation, which also includes the Gentiles. This context sets the stage for Paul’s statement that Israel is considered “enemies for the Gentiles' sake.”
Israel as Enemies for the Sake of the Gentiles
In Romans 11:28 (KJV), Paul writes, “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.” This statement reflects how Israel’s current opposition to the gospel has worked to the advantage of the Gentiles.
When Paul says that Israel is "enemies for your sakes," he refers to Israel’s rejection of Yahusha, which created an opportunity for Gentiles to receive the gospel. Their opposition to Yahusha allowed the message of salvation to extend to the Gentiles, opening the door for them to be included in Yah’s redemptive plan. Although Israel is currently regarded as enemies concerning the gospel, this status is temporary and serves Yah’s larger redemptive purposes. Paul makes it clear that Israel remains beloved because of Yah’s promises to their forefathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
This concept is echoed earlier in Romans 11:11 (KJV): “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.” Israel’s rejection of Yahusha led to salvation for the Gentiles, but this will eventually provoke Israel to return to Yah and embrace the Messiah.
Gentiles Were Once Without Hope
Before the coming of Yahusha, the Gentiles were described as being “without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12, KJV). They were separated from the promises made to Israel and were outside of Yah’s covenant blessings. The Israelites, as Yah’s chosen people, were the ones who had received the Law, the covenants, and the promises.
However, through Yahusha, everything changed. His death and resurrection fulfilled the Law and made it possible for both Israelites and Gentiles to be reconciled to Yah. As Paul explains in Ephesians 2:13 (KJV): “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Through Yahusha, the Gentiles were brought near and given access to Yah’s promises.
In Yah’s grand plan, Israel’s rejection of Yahusha made way for the Gentiles to be grafted into Yah’s family. Although Israel’s rejection seems tragic, Paul emphasizes that it serves a temporary purpose, and Israel’s restoration will ultimately come to pass.
The Promise of Israel’s Salvation
To reinforce his claim that all Israel will be saved, Paul references key passages from the Old Testament:
- Isaiah 59:20-21 (KJV): “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.”
- Isaiah 27:9 (KJV): “By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.” (Romans 11:27)
These passages speak of a future time when Yah will redeem Israel, removing their sins and restoring their relationship with Him. Paul uses these texts to affirm that Yah has not forgotten His promises to Israel. Although they are currently regarded as enemies concerning the gospel, they are still Yah’s chosen people. The promise of their salvation is assured because of Yah’s faithfulness to His covenant with their forefathers.
Paul’s declaration that “all Israel shall be saved” refers to the collective redemption of the Israelite nation, not necessarily every individual. After the time of Gentile inclusion has reached its fulfillment, Israel will experience a great turning back to Yah, accepting Yahusha as their Messiah.
The Role of Gentiles in Yah’s Plan
While Romans 11:26 focuses on Israel’s future salvation, Paul makes it clear that the Gentiles play an important role in Yah’s plan. Their inclusion was made possible by Israel’s temporary blindness. This period of Gentile inclusion will continue until the "fulness of the Gentiles" has come in, after which Yah’s focus will return to Israel’s restoration.
Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree in Romans 11:17-24 (KJV) to explain this relationship. Israel is represented by the natural branches of the olive tree, while the Gentiles are the wild branches grafted in. This imagery shows that the Gentiles are included by grace but are not meant to replace Israel. Paul cautions the Gentiles against arrogance, reminding them that both groups depend on Yah’s mercy.
Yah’s Covenant with Israel
In Romans 11:29 (KJV), Paul emphasizes, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” This means that Yah’s promises to Israel are unchanging, and His covenant with their forefathers cannot be undone. Even though Israel is currently hardened and considered "enemies" for the Gentiles’ sake, their calling as Yah’s chosen people remains intact.
Yah’s ultimate plan is to show mercy to both Gentiles and Israelites. Through Israel’s temporary rejection, Yah has made room for the Gentiles to enter the kingdom as citizens. But Israel’s restoration is guaranteed as a nation, and the world will witness the fulfillment of Yah’s promises to them.
Conclusion
In Romans 11:25-36, Paul reveals the intricate workings of Yah’s redemptive plan, which includes both Israel’s temporary blindness and the inclusion of the Gentiles. While Israel is currently considered "enemies for the sake of the Gentiles," this status is part of Yah’s larger purpose. Israel’s rejection of Yahusha allowed the Gentiles, who were once without hope, to be grafted into Yah’s family through faith in Yahusha.
However, Israel remains beloved for the sake of Yah’s covenant with their forefathers, and Paul assures that Israel’s restoration will come. The salvation of Israel is central to Yah’s plan, and once the fullness of the Gentiles has been reached, all Israel shall be saved, as the Scriptures declare.
Yah’s covenant with Israel is unbreakable, and His mercy extends to both Gentiles and Israelites. The temporary hardening of Israel will give way to their full restoration, and Yah’s promises to both groups will be fulfilled in His perfect and unsearchable wisdom.
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