Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 176:701 (Jan 2019)
Article: Israel And Her Vocation: The Fourth Stage Of Romans 11
Author: Paul A. Himes

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Israel And Her Vocation: The Fourth Stage Of Romans 11

Paul A. Himes

Paul A. Himes is professor of biblical studies, Baptist College of Ministry, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

Abstract

Some scholars speak of three stages of Israel’s salvation history in Romans 11. A closer examination, however, reveals that Paul delineates four stages in Romans 11, with the fourth stage representing the bountiful harvest reaped as a result of Israel reclaiming her vocation and mission to the world. Attention to this four-stage scheme may help mitigate the stereotype of dispensationalism as a gloomy doctrine portraying each era as a failure, since both the church and Israel will, in fact, complete the mission to which God has called them.

Introduction

When discussing Romans 11, some scholars refer to three “stages” of salvation history, especially in verses 11–12 and 15.1 In this reading, “Israel” (however defined) stumbles and Gentiles receive salvation, in the process provoking Israel

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to jealousy and prompting an ultimate reconciliation of Israel.2 However, the text seems to indicate not merely three stages of Israel’s salvation history, but four stages, with the fourth represented by two elements in Romans 11: πόσῳ μᾶλλον in verse 12 and ζωὴ ἐκ νεκρῶν in verse 15. This fourth stage involves Israel yet benefits Gentiles. Approaching the issue from a broadly dispensational theological framework, this article will argue that this fourth stage involves Israel’s recovery of her original vocation of being a blessing to the Gentiles, a recovery that will occur in the final era of history. The first part of this article will briefly examine Israel’s theological vocation in relation to the Gentiles, arguing that this vocation did not end with the crucifixion of Israel’s Messiah. The central part of the article will focus on Romans 9–11, especially chapter 11. The final part will comment on the possible relationship of