Romans chapter 11

vs 1

If you take the argument purely contained in this verse, then Paul is saying that God has not turned his back on Israel as a people, because there are those who are both Jewish and Christian.

vs 2

Paul now, again, appeals to scripture to make his argument. He does a lot of that. Which is good, and a good model for us no doubt. Although his interpretations would generally be frowned upon now if we made them I think.

vs 3

Elijah felt as though there was no one left of God's promises, except him, and he was under attack too. He wondered whatever happened to God's promises and plans - had the come to an end here with Elijah?

vs 4

God had reserved for himself a number (fairly significant number) who were still faithful to him. Elijah couldn't see that. All he could see was the many many thousands who were now worshipping Baal.

The comparison here is eerie. It's basically comparing the Jews who did not follow Christ to worshipping Baal. I wouldn't have gone that far - I would have said they're on the right track, but just had one more step to go. I wouldn't say that about Baal worship (well, no more than CS Lewis did anyway).

vs 5

And I assume that Paul is one of that remnant.

vs 6

Now, what's Paul saying here? Is he suggesting that the current Jewish methodology is works-based? It probably wouldn't be out of the question. If not, though, what is he saying? The next verse is a good one.

vs 7

There is nothing wrong with the zeal of Israel. After all, seeking to be in relationship with God is a good thing. It's just that trying to work for it is not. And while proper OT Judaism did not contain this ethic (although I think it did contain an ethic very closely related), NT Judaism and probably modern Judaism do contain such an ethic of work-towards-God.

So although all of the Jews were zealous, only the elect have been saved as a remnant. It was not their zealousness that saved them.

vs8

Putting the blame back on God is a difficult ask, but Paul does not shy away from giving responsibility to God, ultimately. We shouldn't either. We sometimes feel that we must protect God from the accusations of others. We don't have to. Look, God said the exact words that Paul is quoting. Does it matter who they were about? The idea that God prevented people from seeing the truth is a huge philosophical problem. But it's also the truth, and so you've got to deal with it somehow. Even if you deal with it the way I do, the paradox-acceptance way, you still have to accept the part of the paradox which says that it's God's responsibility, his duty and also his right. Ouch.

vs 9

There's a comic there, waiting to happen. I should send that into Reverend Fun. I think I might. I'm not exactly sure why a table should be the trap. I think a table is generally reminiscent of the idea of fellowship, like laying out a table for someone.

Well, the original psalm apparently says "May the table set before them become a snare." This is from one of those Psalms where David is asking to be saved from his enemies, and he wants them to suffer from God. The interesting verse is the one before this quote, which is prophetic of them giving vinegar to Jesus to drink on the cross. So the message is almost like "May the table that they laid out to me in bitterness (sourness?) become a trap for them." May they get punished for having the wrong attitude at the table of fellowship. Interesting idea.