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Romans: The Power of the Gospel Message 121 of 150
The Purposeful Hardening of Israel
Pastor Anthony King· August 10, 2025
Romans 11:7-12
A sermon on Romans 11:7-12 and the purposeful hardening of Israel. God preserved a faithful remnant and used Israel's rejection to bring salvation to the Gentiles, in a plan that is both sovereign and redemptive, aimed at restoration, unity and mercy for all people.
“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded”
Romans 11:7
The series
Verse by verse through Paul’s letter to the church at Rome: the Gospel of God’s righteousness, from our ruin in sin to life lived as a living sacrifice.
God sovereignly chose a remnant from Israel, while the rest were hardened.
The elect among Israel have received righteousness by God’s grace, not by their own merit.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.Ephesians 2:8-9
The hardening of the rest resulted from their persistent unbelief and rejection of God’s righteousness.
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.John 12:40
Israel’s hardening is not total or final, but serves God’s redemptive purpose.
God’s hardening is only partial. A remnant remains faithful, demonstrating God’s ongoing mercy.
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.Psalm 94:14
The hardening is temporary, with God’s ultimate plan involving restoration and mercy for Israel.
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.Romans 11:23
God used Israel’s stumbling to bring salvation to the Gentiles.
Israel’s rejection of Jesus as Messiah opened the path of salvation for the Gentiles, fulfilling God’s promise to bless all the families of the earth.
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.Genesis 22:18
God’s sovereign plan is to unify Jew and Gentile in Jesus, showing His grace extends beyond ethnic boundaries.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;Ephesians 2:14
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.Galatians 3:28
The salvation of the Gentiles is designed to provoke Israel to jealousy and ultimately lead to their restoration.
God’s desire is for Israel to see the blessings upon the Gentiles and be stirred to seek Christ for themselves.
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.Deuteronomy 32:21
Israel’s future acceptance will bring even greater blessings to the world, culminating in widespread spiritual renewal.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:Romans 11:26
Rest in God’s sovereignty even when you don’t understand His timing.
Pray earnestly for the salvation of the lost, including the Jewish people.
Rejoice that no failure is final in God’s redemptive plan.
Let God’s mercy toward you fuel your love toward others.
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? Romans 11:7-12
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