Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring! I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

Many people wonder why evil exists in the world. Why do people decide to leave their faith and go down self-destructive paths in life? Or we might wonder why we have to experience trials at the hands of those who view themselves as “righteous”? Without directly stating it, Paul is referencing these very questions in his dialogue about the Jews and the Gentiles.

Picture two farmers who have both been given land. One was given very rich and fertile soil. The other was given rocky and hard soil. Initially the one with fertile soil produced much more than the other farmer. And he would “lord it over” the other farmer and treat him as inferior, as if he alone was the source of the good and best ways to farm. But this farmer became lazy, did not work his land with fertilizer or rotate his crops. After a few years, his land had very low yields like the other farmer. Both families begin to starve. So along comes a man who brings fertilizer and cutting-edge tractors, and he offers to help the farmer with the fertile soil first. But he is in denial to his need and rejects the help and the new equipment and processes the new man brings. So, the fertilizer and equipment is offered to the other farmer and the other farmer prospers.

The Jews represent the first farmer. They were God’s people and were given God’s truth and his law — fertile ground to produce the fruit of good works in life. But over time many of the Jews focused on the rules and comparing themselves to the Samaritans and Gentiles instead of the good works God called them to. The “lorded it over” their neighboring nations. The Gentiles represent the farmer with hard ground. Jesus first came to save His People, the Jews. But they in large part rejected him. Then he and his disciples also went to the Gentiles (non-Jews). Jesus came to die for our sins and and make available a rich relationship with God, that produces good fruit. He gave a better way, like the better equipment and fertilizer for the farmers. He placed his Spirit inside the hearts of his followers.

Now the Gentiles could indeed, in revenge, “lord it over” their Jewish friends that they have been chosen and did not initially receive Jesus. But that would not be producing good fruit.
So Paul challenges them to see that, even though the Jews in large part rejected Jesus initially, if they come back later it will bring great Glory to God! It is not about looking good by comparison, but LOOKING GOOD & BEING GOOD by reflecting God’s glory!

Have I (or you) been hurt by someone who proclaimed themselves as “righteous”? Maybe they were even in leadership at a church? Now if God is blessing us and loving us through a real relationship with him, based on grace and not works, will we now put down those who put us down before? Will we celebrate their demise? NO! We must look forward to their salvation and their turning to God with anticipation and prayer. It is all about His Kingdom, His Will, and His Glory!

Thank you, Lord, for your great reminder here through your servant Paul, that we need to stay humble when you work through us, and always be gracious, even to those who have hurt us. You give us the power and ability to do it! Praise your name!