Thanks Chris,
Do you not think that Israel as a nation was temporarily cast aside as early as the time when Paul wrote the 11th chapter of Romans?:
"For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?" (Ro.11:15).
"Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?" (Rom.11:12).
Thus saith the LORD;
If my covenant be not with day and night,
and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;
Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant,
so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers
over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:
for I will cause their captivity to return,
and have mercy on them.'
(Jer. 33:25-26)
@JerrySchugart
Hello Jerry,
The verses (above) make clear that God will not,
'cast away' His People, and Romans 11:1-2a confirm that:-
'I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid.
For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. ...
Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,'
They have become Lo'ammi, or, 'not My People' (temporarily) Hosea 9:1-11. See also Deuteronomy 30. The laying aside of Israel in unbelief took place at Acts 28: following the quotation of Isaiah 6:9-10, (Acts 28:26-27). Israel was warned that this could take place in Acts 13:40-41:-
'Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
"Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish:
for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe,
though a man declare it unto you."'
See also Isaiah 29:13-14:-
'Wherefore the Lord said, "Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth,
and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me,
and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people,
even a marvellous work and a wonder:
for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.'
See also Habakkuk 1:5:-
'Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously:
for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.'
We know that Israel was once again scattered among the nations, and ceased to be a nation.
In Romans 11 Paul explains why only a remnant would be saved, and for what reason; but assures the Jews among his hearers that one day all Israel will be saved. However, the final turning away of Israel took place when the elders refused to believe in Acts 28.
The Olive Tree will one day sprout again, and believing Israelites will be grafted back into it ; and it will again be the source of blessing to the nations, in that day. They will draw of the root and fatness of the Olive Tree again, when Israel are redeemed and take up their Divinely instituted role as Priests unto God, among the nations (Matthew 24:14).
Praise God!
Thank you.
In Christ Jesus
Chris
PS: I apologise for the length of my post, Jerry, but it was as much for me as for you. It was a blessing, thank you.