God Has Not Forgotten His People (continued)

²²So you see that God is kind, but he can also be very strict. God punishes those people that stop following him. But God is kind to you, if you continue following in his kindness. If you don't continue following him, you will be cut off [from the tree]. ²³And if the Jews will believe in God again, then God will accept the Jews back again. God is able to put them back where they were. ²⁴It is not natural for a wild branch to become part of a good tree. But you non-Jews are like a branch cut from a wild olive tree. And you were joined to a good olive tree. But those Jews are like a branch that grew from the good tree. So surely they can be joined to their own tree again. ²⁵I want you to understand this secret truth, brothers [and sisters]. This truth will help you understand that you don't know everything. The truth is this: Part of Israel* has been made stubborn. But that will change when enough non-Jews have come to God. ²⁶And that is how all Israel will be saved. It is written [in the Scriptures*]: "The Savior will come from Zion*; He will take away all evil from the family of Jacob.* ²⁷And I will make this agreement with those people when I take away their sins." Isaiah 59:20-21; 27:9

²⁸The Jews refuse to accept the Good News,* so they are God's enemies. This has happened to help you non-Jews. But the Jews are still God's chosen people. So God loves them very much. God loves them because of [the promises he made to] their fathers. ²⁹God never changes his mind about the people he calls and the things he gives them. And God never takes back his call to the people. ³⁰At one time you refused to obey God. But now you have received mercy, because those people (the Jews) refused to obey. ³¹And now the Jews refuse to obey, because God showed mercy to you. But this happened so that they can also receive mercy from God. ³²All people have refused to obey God. God has put all people together as people that don't obey him, so that God can show mercy to all people.

Praise to God

³³Yes, God's riches are very great! God's wisdom and knowledge have no end! No person can explain the things God decides. No person can understand God's ways. ³⁴Like the Scripture* says, "Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give God advice?" Isaiah 40:13

³⁵"Who has ever given God anything? God owes nothing to any person." Job 41:11

³⁶Yes, God made all things. And everything continues through God and for God. To God be the glory forever! Amen.

Israel The Jewish nation (people). Scripture(s) Holy Writings--the Old Testament. Zion Another name for Jerusalem, the city of God's people. Jacob Father of the twelve family groups of Israel. Good News The news that God has made a way for people to have their sins forgiven and live with him forever.