For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. (Romans 11:16-19)
It’s an astounding thought to grasp that we are chosen by God. However, we were not the first. The people of Israel were the first chosen by God, symbolized by the olive tree mentioned in Romans 11. The tree's root serves as the foundation of God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants, and the first fruit represents Israel’s distinct status as His chosen people. Through them, God provided the Law, the Prophets, and ultimately the Messiah. Jesus Himself descended from the lineage of Shem, Abraham, and David. Every prophet, apostle, and leader in Scripture was Jewish, and their faithfulness spread God’s Word to the world.
We are grateful that we, as Gentiles, were grafted in. This means we get to partake in the blessings of the root—God’s faithfulness, His Word, His favor, and the richness of His grace. We did not replace the original branches (Israel) but are counted as a part of God’s family.
However, in this passage, Paul warned against boasting, stating that Gentile believers should never look down on the natural branches or assume superiority. To boast against the Jewish people is to forget that it is the root that sustains and connects us. Let us express gratitude and pray for our Jewish brethren and the peace of Jerusalem.
Practical Application
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem today and the Jewish people. (Psalm 122:6) Thank God for their role in God’s redemptive plan and recognize that they remain deeply loved by God.