Many today think that Israel is special. Specifically, Israel is so central to God's plan that their nation will be completely re-established during a future millennium along with a temple, priesthood and sacrifices. (Naturally, this completely bypasses the entire book of Hebrews--but that's another blog).

Dr. Coppes, as he is exegeting through the book of Romans, recently explained the import of Paul's declaration that from the time of Adam, through Israel's rise, and into the reformation of the OT church during Christ's First Coming (Heb. 9:9ff.), God has always had a remnant according to sovereign grace.

This set of passages naturally covers the tree-analogy of Paul: instead of destroying the old tree (OT church/Israel) and planting a new one (NT church), God casted out many of the Jews and grafted in many Gentiles--a worldwide revival that shocked the complacent Jews.

Their fall was our glory--& we should be humbled by this magnificent thought. There is no boasting when God chooses.