Romans 11:30-36
Introduction
Last week, we explored the concept of calling and our responsibility to embrace how God designed us for ministry. This week, Paul will remind us of the core elements of God’s strategic plan. It’s essential for us to grasp this plan so we can embark on our mission without misinterpreting our instructions. A soldier never enters battle without precise orders to execute the strategy. Today, let’s reflect on God’s strategic plan of Mercy, Wisdom, and Dominion, ensuring we are fully equipped to be effective soldiers. Without this divine blueprint, we may lose our capacity to offer God Joyful Adoration as we witness His victory on earth, just as it is in Heaven.
God’s Mercy (Romans 11:30-32)
• Paul reminds us of the ultimate motivation behind God’s action: to save as many people as possible (vs. 30-31).
• God did not cause anyone to reject the gospel. Instead, He strategically used a bad situation to help trigger others to understand and surrender to God’s call on their lives.
• He used the disobedience of the Jews to result in the salvation of many Gentiles (vs. 30-31).
• According to Paul, it is God’s plan for this process to come full circle. He will use transformed Gentiles to show the Jews the life-changing power of the gospel (vs. 30-31).
• The Gentiles of those days lived very differently from the Jews. The Gentiles lived outwardly sinful lifestyles, causing them to recognize their need to repent and call on God for mercy.
• The Jews had the Law to guide them. Their lifestyles aligned more with biblical standards, so their need for mercy was less evident. However, when the gospel arrived, it exposed many Jews to a lack of faith and humility. By refusing to repent and believe in the atoning work of Jesus, their rebellion against God was exposed. They, too, needed mercy.
• God’s love and mercy are extended through Israel’s partial hardening and the Gentiles’ inclusion in the covenant.
• The love of God is revealed when Paul tells us God’s goal in all of this is that He might show mercy to all (2 Pe. 3:9). God confronts us with our sin, not to condemn us, but to awaken us of our need for mercy so that we can be saved.
• God has mercy on all, even those who are hardened in unbelief.
God’s Wisdom (Romans 11:33-36)
• As Paul is concluding his explanation on why so many Jews had rejected the gospel and how God used it so that even more Jews and Gentiles would get saved (Romans 9-11), he suddenly burst into praise.
• Paul caught a fresh glimpse of God’s great heart and the depth of mercy He wants to give us (Ro. 11:32), and this caused Him to cry out in adoration.
• He marveled at the brilliance of God’s plan to take something so negative and redirect it to produce something so positive.
• As Paul is worshipping, the Holy Spirit reminds him of two passages: Isaiah 40:13 (vs. 34) and Job 41:11 (vs. 35). Both Isaiah and Job ask questions about God’s greatness: Who is His counselor? Who is His debtor?
• In Isaiah (Is. 40:12-26), God is pictured being so large as to hold the ocean in His hand and measure the heavens by using the span of His hand. By simply mentioning this passage, Paul expects that we would bow in worship at the feet of our Creator. God’s wisdom and depth far outweigh the human mind.
• Paul then quotes Job 41:11 when God questions Job. God asks Job if anyone holds His wisdom during a beautiful description of God’s knowledge (Job 38:1-41:34).
God’s Dominion (Romans 11:36)
• All Things are from God, through Him, and to (into) Him: God is the Creator, Sustainer, and ultimate purpose of all things, including our lives and the universe.
• The answer posed by Isaiah and Jobs questions (vs. 34-35) is No one. No one is God’s counselor.
• Everything has come from Him: He alone is the source of all that is good and wise. He is indebted to no one because all wisdom and knowledge come “out of Him” (literal).
• Everything comes through Him: This describes something passing between two objects or traveling in the midst of something. Paul is picturing the created universe (both spiritual and physical- all things) immersed in Go’s presence (Ac. 17:28). God’s Spirit allows everything to exist. If God were to withdraw His presence, the universe would cease to exist immediately.
• Everything has come into (literal) Him: Not only do we have our origin in God as our Creator and continue to exist because He is our Sustainer, but the calling and the goal of all creation is to be immersed in His presence and glorify Him forever. Nothing exists by itself or for itself.
• God’s dominion is beautifully encapsulated in Romans 11:36: “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” This passage reminds us that God is the ultimate source, means, and purpose of everything. Recognizing God’s dominion means acknowledging His supreme authority and sovereignty over all creation.
• Our worship of God becomes more profound and reverent when we grasp this truth. We are moved to bow in humility, understanding that our lives, our very breath, are sustained by His presence.
• This knowledge transforms our adoration into an offering of gratitude, acknowledging His power and wisdom. Our worship, therefore, is not merely a ritual but a heartfelt response to the Creator’s all-encompassing dominion, reflecting our total dependence and devotion to Him.
Conclusion
Mercy, wisdom, and dominion are essential to God’s plan for reaching those who are lost and exploring their spirituality. God is not a dictator and does not employ manipulation to control His creation. God embodies honesty, with His character serving as the standard for everyone else. He possesses complete knowledge and insight. God’s viewpoint is flawless since He is holy, and His holiness is beyond doubt. Therefore, by embracing God’s approach, we can trust in our success. The most encouraging news is that Jesus has already triumphed in the battle; all we need to do is accept and embody His Mercy, Wisdom, and Dominion, allowing us to offer God Joyful Adoration as we witness His victory on earth, just as it is in Heaven.
Discussion Questions
- How has God’s mercy transformed your life, and in what ways can you extend that mercy to others who may be struggling with faith or disobedience__?
- Reflect on a time when you witnessed God’s wisdom in turning a negative situation into something positive. How did this experience impact your faith__?
- In what ways do you see God’s strategic plan of mercy, wisdom, and dominion unfolding in your life and in the world around you__?