READ: Rom. 11:1–6: … God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. … I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men.” … a remnant according to the election of grace.
Paul continually responds to possible thoughts that his writing may evoke, and he does so now in verse 1: from the preceding verses it might appear that God has cast away His ungrateful people, so that there is no longer any way for Jews to come to faith, and that God now turns exclusively to the Gentiles with His gospel.
Paul denies this. By no means! Even in Israel’s unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to His covenant promises. The people whom He foreknew—that is, whom He loved—He still loves. Paul himself is an example of this.
As in the days of Elijah, God leaves a remnant that loves and serves Him. Elijah did not see this when, in his complaint, he called upon God to execute His judgment upon Israel. Elijah thought that all Israel had forsaken God’s covenant and that he alone remained faithful. He saw no future for his office.
But God showed Elijah that He is not only righteous but also merciful. He Himself had reserved for Himself seven thousand men who had not bowed the knee to Baal (v.4; 1 Kings 19:18).
As the Lord did in Elijah’s time, so He continues to do in fulfillment of His covenant. As He has ordained in His grace, so He continues to carry out His promises.
Yet this does not concern the whole people. There are those who say they are Jews and are not, but lie (Rev. 3:9). Only the true Israel, the faithful part, may expect the blessing of God’s covenant; the unfaithful part, however, will receive the promised curse.
But even for the faithful remnant, their election is grace from God’s side, proceeding from His good pleasure, and not a result of anything they have done.
Is there also, for the church, a “remnant”?
Sing: Ps. 69:12