Paul’s Mystery - Our True Identity in Messiah

Paul's Mystery - Our True Identity in Messiah

This Bible teaching from Founded In Truth Fellowship, led by Matthew Vander Els, delves into the profound mystery revealed by the Apostle Paul concerning the true identity of believers in Messiah and the intricate relationship between Israel and the Gentile nations. The teaching explores Paul's discourse in Romans chapter 11, where he unveils a divine plan involving a partial hardening of Israel and the subsequent inclusion of the Gentiles, ultimately leading to the salvation of all Israel.

To understand this mystery, it is crucial to first grasp the historical backdrop of the Old Testament. After the reign of King Solomon, the unified kingdom of Israel divided into two: the Northern Kingdom, often referred to as the House of Israel comprising ten tribes, and the Southern Kingdom, known as the House of Judah, consisting primarily of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Both kingdoms eventually faced God's judgment for their disobedience and idolatry. The Northern Kingdom was conquered and exiled by the Assyrian Empire and was scattered among the nations, effectively "never to return" as a distinct entity. The Southern Kingdom was later exiled to Babylon but returned to their land a generation later. This historical division and scattering are essential for comprehending the terms "Israel" and "Judah" as they appear in later scriptures and in Paul's writings.

The core of Paul's mystery is introduced in Romans 11:25: "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." Paul, drawing from his extensive understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures, unveils a seemingly paradoxical plan of God. This mystery hinges on understanding what Paul means by "all Israel" and "the fullness of the Gentiles" and how these two concepts are interconnected.

The term "Israel" in Scripture can carry several meanings. It can refer to the patriarch Jacob himself, the entire nation descended from him (all twelve tribes), the Northern Kingdom (the ten tribes), or the remnant of Judah that returned after the Babylonian exile. However, when Paul uses the term "all Israel" in Romans 11:26 ("and so all Israel will be saved"), the context suggests a comprehensive meaning that encompasses the entirety of Jacob's lineage, the original twelve tribes. This understanding is supported by first-century Jewish historian Josephus, who used "Israel" to refer to all twelve tribes and "Judeans" to refer specifically to the inhabitants of the Southern Kingdom after the Northern tribes were exiled. Similarly, the Qumran community of the Dead Sea Scrolls considered themselves a sect within a larger "Israel." Even Paul, when describing his ancestry, identified himself as being "of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin" rather than simply a Jew or Judean. Thus, "all Israel" in Paul's context likely refers to the complete lineage of Jacob, including those scattered from the Northern Kingdom.

The second part of the mystery involves "the fullness of the Gentiles." This phrase suggests a specific point in time when a significant number or a representative inclusion of the Gentile nations comes to faith in Messiah. The teaching connects this concept to the Old Testament prophecy in Genesis 48:19, where Jacob blesses Ephraim, the younger son of Joseph, stating that his offspring would become a "multitude of nations" (in Hebrew, melo hagoyim, often translated as "fullness of the nations"). Ephraim was a prominent tribe in the Northern Kingdom, and after the scattering, the descendants of these tribes became indistinguishable from the Gentile nations. Therefore, "the fullness of the Gentiles" can be understood as the ingathering of those descendants of Israel who were scattered and assimilated among the nations.

The crucial link between the "fullness of the Gentiles" and the salvation of "all Israel" lies in the idea that the scattered descendants of the Northern Kingdom are now part of the Gentile world. As Gentiles come to faith in Messiah, they are, in essence, bringing back a part of the lost "all Israel" into the covenant family. Paul illustrates this through the allegory of the olive tree in Romans 11:17-24. The cultivated olive tree represents Israel, and the broken-off branches symbolize the part of Israel that fell away in unbelief. The wild olive shoots represent the Gentiles who are grafted into the cultivated tree, sharing in its nourishing root. This grafting does not make the Gentiles a separate entity but incorporates them into the existing root of Israel.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Recognize the inclusive nature of God's plan: Understand that God's love and salvation are extended to all people, regardless of their ethnic background or nationality.
• Value unity in Messiah: Strive for unity and understanding between Jewish and Gentile believers, recognizing their shared identity in the family of God.
• Embrace your identity in Messiah: If you are a Gentile believer, recognize that you have been grafted into the "commonwealth of Israel" through faith and are an heir to the promises given to Abraham.
• Avoid divisive doctrines: Be discerning of teachings that promote division or exclusivity based on ethnicity or bloodline, ensuring your understanding aligns with the core message of faith in Messiah.
• Share the Gospel with all nations: Participate in God's mission to reach all people with the good news of Yeshua, recognizing that this ingathering contributes to the fulfillment of God's plan for Israel and the world.
• Study the Scriptures diligently: Follow the example of examining the Old Testament prophecies and Paul's writings to gain a deeper understanding of God's intricate plan of salvation.
• Live in humility: Remember that inclusion in God's family is an act of grace and not based on any inherent merit.

References

• Romans 1:16 https://biblehub.com/romans/1-16.htm
• Romans 11:25 https://biblehub.com/romans/11-25.htm
• Galatians 3:29 https://biblehub.com/galatians/3-29.htm
• Genesis 48:19 https://biblehub.com/genesis/48-19.htm
• Matthew 4:19 https://biblehub.com/matthew/4-19.htm

Books and Resources Mentioned

• Paul and Palestinian Judaism by E.P. Sanders Paul and Palestinian Judaism by E.P. Sanders
• The Mystery of Israel according to Paul by Jason Staples (Dissertation)
• Book by James M. Scott on "all Israel" in the Old Testament
• Logos Bible Software
• ESV Bible

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