Lesson 25: The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation – 11:25-36
 25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
27 “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,
31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.
32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?”
36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.

Part of God’s plan, as we have already read in several previous lessons, is for Israel to be His people forever. This is also true of the Church (by this I mean the true Church rather than the local, physical church – every person who has accepted Jesus is part of the true Church no matter where they live or lived in this world). Just as certainly as one will be with God forever in eternity, so will the other. Just as certainly as one is protected by God, so is the other – see Verse 29.


The only kind of jealousy God ever encourages is the jealousy of the one to be as close to Him as the other. In today’s world, when Israel has not yet returned to Him in obedience, God wants to use us (the Church) to make them jealous of our position with Jesus so they will also seek Him for this same relationship.

God’s plan for both Israel and the Church is as secure and strong as ever. The day will come when Israel will again return to Him and become His obedient chosen people to rule the earth with Him (Verses 25-27).

Why did God choose to do things this way? Why did He make His plans as He did? He answers these questions in Verse 32 – He did it this way so His mercy could be put on display for all creation to see. Our only response can be the words of Verse 33 – Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!

*What does Israel’s return to favor with God mean to you?