Romans 11:1-36

Jealousy can be a dangerous thing, and it is something we are often warned against in Scripture.  This week's reading, however, discusses a healthy kind of jealousy.  Where jealousy inspired by limited, worldly possessions or positions produces all manner of evil actions, jealousy inspired by witnessing God's grace and favor freely given to others can be a motivation to seek the same kind of relationship with Christ.

After all, God has made these great and precious gifts available to all who would open their hearts to receive.

OPENING QUESTION:

How do Christian believers who aren't ethnically Jewish respond to the Jewish people today?

STUDY QUESTIONS:

• Read Romans 11:1-26.  Once again Paul raises the question of whether God has abandoned Israel and perhaps broken his promise to them.  In verses 1-6 Paul uses the story of Elijah (from 1 Kings 18-19).  How are Paul and Elijah similar?
• The idea of a "remnant," a few people who remain after a great disaster, comes from the heart of the Old Testament, from Isaiah 10:20-23 where the prophet describes those who will return after the punishment of exile.  Who is the remnant Paul has in mind?
• Verses 7-15 (and all of Romans 9-11) echo the stories of tensions between younger and older brothers from Genesis (Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob, Joseph and his brothers) as well as Jesus' own parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15.  In all these cases God establishes and vindicates the younger over the older.  How is Israel now in the position of being the older brother in the prodigal son story?
• How might jealousy, as described in verses 11-15, actually draw Jews to Christ?
• Verses 33-36 end chapter 11 by using the rich traditions of Hebrew praise from Isaiah and Job.  How does Paul want us to feel and respond at the end of this amazing discussion of God's grace and faithfulness?
• Once Israel arrogantly assumed it was the sole repository of God's mercy and blessing.  Paul warns the Gentiles against a similar arrogance in Romans 11:20.  How does the danger of arrogance, which was a temptation for Jews and Gentile Christians alike, seep into our churches today?  How are you tempted by it in your own life?

I look forward to your insight!

Love in Christ,

Pastor Joe

Disclaimer: These questions have been drawn from N.T. Wright’s study guide on the book of Romans, and are posted here to provide a general sample of the in-depth study each chapter entails.  Though the study guide is not required for participation in our weekly study, it is an excellent resource for advanced study of God’s word.