Discussion question: Why does Paul ask the question in v1 hasn’t he already shown and proven this point back in chapter 9?
Leader: for your review:
Not necessarily, the question is different. In chapter 9, Paul showed that God’s word had not failed because not all Israel is the true Israel as was shown through Isaac/Ishmael, Jacob/Esau. Paul showed that God chose His own people on a person by person basis and not as an entire nation/people group. Now he is answering the next human question that would come up, if God has chosen His people on a person by person basis and the Jews have rejected Christ, does that mean that God has now moved on from Israel and gone to the Gentiles and rejected the Jews?
Discussion question: Why does Paul bring up the fact that he is a Jew in v1, is it only to prove his point that God has not rejected His people?
Discussion question: Now that we know why Paul asked the question in v1, how exactly does he answer it? What is the answer and the explanation?
Leader: for your review:
Paul shows that God always keeps His remnant of people and uses the story of Elijah as an example. He shows that God will keep His people even when others have turned away. He is implying, without stating, that God will keep His remnant amongst the Jews while He brings the message of salvation to the Gentiles even though many Jews may reject it. This brings up the idea of Israel verses the Church. Are the two separate, is the church today what Israel was in the OT, are Jews who know Christ part of the church, will Israel be joined in with the church? This question will come up again at the end of chapter 11.
Discussion question: Who/What is the remnant during the present time in v5?
Leader: for your review
The question seems to be a continuation of what was said back at the end of chapter 9 when Paul quotes Isaiah. It may be that chapter 10 was a “tangent” that Paul took and then he brings it back in the beginning of chapter 11. Paul is also setting up the discussion for Israel which he concludes at the end of chapter 11. This idea of a remnant has been around since God began His work of creation/redemption. We saw it in the story of Noah, then Abraham’s descendants, then those that followed Moses, then those who would find the book of the Law during the kings of Israel, then God’s prophets during the captivity, in Acts when Jews would come to a knowledge of Christ. Now we are seeing it during our times, the Reformation, etc. It is an amazing story and testimony. God always has His remnant who follow after Him even when everyone else turns. Look up 1 Kings 18-19 for the story of Elijah.
Discussion question: Why does Paul add v6, it seems out of place?
Leader: for your review
This could be a reminder or a setup for v7-10 to show again why the Jews have not attained salvation.
Leader: for your review
The greek word used in v7 for hardened is a very strong word, only used in a few other places in the NT (when the disciples argued over what Jesus meant when he said beware of the leaven of the Pharisees). It means to grow over calloused, or petrify. An example would be, when a bone breaks and it is not set properly, the bone will grow back connected but will grow this extra layer of hard material to harden the bone. Paul is using it to show how strong the hardening is.
Discussion question: In v8-10 it seems God causes those whom He hardens to have a spirit of stupor, eyes to see not and ears to hear not and this again brings up the question of God’s sovereignty but this time we see in v4 that God’s chosen people were those who haven’t bowed the knee to Baal, implying God chose them based on something they did (or in this case didn’t do), how do we reconcile this? Can we reconcile this?
Discussion question: What is the application of this in our lives?
Leader: for your review
The application question of this might be held off until the end of chapter 11 when we see God’s place for Israel to be grafted in. But, this should give us hope in that God’s plan will be carried out (Isaiah 55:11) and that He was gracious to allow those who aren’t Jews to be a part of His plan.
