Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:32-35
When we began this section, Romans 9-11, we began with a working theory that Paul was writing it to demonstrate that God has always been faithful in His dealings with Israel. In spite of the paradox that Israel had become, Paul has demonstrated clearly in these chapters that God is in fact faithful to Israel, even though Israel hasn’t always made it easy for God to do so. In case you missed it, the paradox was that even though Israel had been God’s covenant people, when God sent His Son to redeem them, most Jews rejected Him and found themselves at odds with God.
We have seen Paul lay out the history of God’s dealing with Israel, we have seen the paradox, and we have seen the mystery of the present age unfolding before our eyes, the mystery by which God hardened those Jews who chose not to follow Him so that God might also save the Gentiles and redeem all Mankind who would accept His favor, and how that would in turn help many more Jews to come to repentance in the process.
Without a doubt, God has, and continues to do a mighty work of grace right out in the open for all to see. Thus, here at the summit, with this great scene spread out before him, Paul gives us a song of praise to God for His awesome work to reconcile all peoples to Himself. I don’t know about you, but I am inclined to join Paul in giving God the glory and praise He so richly deserves.
It’s always reminded me of Psalms, but not one in particular. It does sound like a Jewish psalm, perhaps from a prophetic poem in Isaiah or something. The last line also reminds me of Hebrews 2:10 and Colossians 1:15-17. Although neither is as poetic as this passage, they also give glory to God (Jesus). And He is always deserving of our praise. Hallelujah!
He sure is!
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