Israel’s Redemption

Paul writes to the Romans that God is not yet finished with His people, Israel.  Here is what he writes in verses 25-32:  “²⁵ For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶ And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:  “The Deliverer will come out of Zion,  And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; ²⁷ For this is My covenant with them,  When I take away their sins.”  ²⁸ Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. ²⁹ For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ³⁰ For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, ³¹ even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. ³² For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.”  This is a very interesting passage with people disagreeing on the interpretation of it.  It is pretty clear that the rejection of Jesus by Israel opened the door for the salvation of the Gentiles but what does Paul mean when he writes that “all Israel will be saved”?  I think that most people see a fulfillment in this in future times when a remnant of Jews will be saved at the return of Christ.  God has made certain promises to Israel that up until now have not been completely fulfilled.  I believe that God will keep those promises but I am unable to fully understand what all that will entail.  Verse 31 states that through the mercy shown the Gentiles, the Jews would obtain mercy. Again, I don’t fully know what this means but it’s an interesting idea.  If we receive mercy, and live in light of that, do we participate in the process by which others may receive mercy?   That could mean that our response to God’s mercy can lead others to respond rightly to God’s mercy as well.  That’s an exciting thought and one that is taught elsewhere in God’s word…though I admit I’m not sure that is what is being taught here.  Either way, God has not forgotten His promises to His people and in whatever way He chooses, those promises will be fulfilled.