Introduction: God is not finished with His people, Israel, nor is He finished with the Church. Today, some claim that the Church replaces Israel. Is that true? Where is the solid evidence? Does the New Testament reveal anything about this subject? In this devotion, we will be looking at Paul’s writings. Keep in. Mind he was both a Jew and a Christian.

1. First, take at Israel’s PAST! (Rom 9:1-5)

“1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”

Paul had a heavy burden for his people-Israel. However, next he explains the problem they had, and that some still have today.

“What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him.” (Rom 9:30-33)

Did you notice Israel’s problem? Unlike some of the Gentiles, they thought justification came by keeping the law. Well, does it?

2. Next, take a look at Israel’s PRESENT! (Rom 10:1-3)

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

Sadly, many Jews today are still trying to please God by the works of the flesh. But can they? The answer is NO. Instead of attempting to keep the law, Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection was accomplished to fulfill the law or supersede it in that sense. Therefore, an Israelite must be born again through a personal relationship with Jesus. Have you been born again?

3. Last, take a look at Israel’s FUTURE! (Rom 11:1,2)

“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.”

Here is a clear statement that should oppose any question that would insinuate that God was finished with Israel.

Read the following:

“(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.” (Rom 11:8)

Paul explains that the Gentiles who trust Jesus have been grafted in the tree by the grace of God.

Finally, Israel’s hope:

“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. 26And 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: 27For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Rom 11:25-27)

This is the Word of the Lord! He will fulfill His promises.