Introduction
Romans 11:1 asks a question that theologians and students of the Bible still discuss today: “Hath God cast away his people?” Paul answered it succinctly in the next verse: “God hath not cast away his people whom he foreknew.” Romans 11 deals with the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel and declares His faithfulness in not setting them aside. After explaining God’s plan for Israel, Paul ends the chapter by saying, “All Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins…. For the gifts and callings of God are without repentance” (vv. 26-29; cf., Isa. 59:20-21). Has God forgotten about His promises to Israel? No. Chapter 11 emphatically states He will save them.
One of the most wonderful things we can tell Jewish people is that there’s a great future ahead for Israel–God is going to redeem the nation. One of the reasons America has been such a great friend of Israel is because of its Christian heritage. The Israelis know many of us believe in the restoration of Israel, especially evangelical Christians.
Isaiah 59:20-21, which Paul quoted in Romans 11, says, “The Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto those who turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord: My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever.” God says there is a forever planned for Israel that culminates when the Redeemer returns to Israel. He will turn them away from their ungodliness and forgive their sins. But what is involved in their redemption, and what are the benefits of that salvation? The answer to those questions form the theme of Zechariah 10.
Lesson
I. A DIVINE REDEEMER (v. 4)
“Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.”
A. His Identity Implied
Zechariah reminds the people that the Messiah is coming, and he identifies Him in this verse. This verse is one of the richest Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. Zechariah, a post- exilic (latter) prophet picks up three illustrations from pre- exilic (former) prophets regarding the Messiah. He refers to Him as a cornerstone, a nail, and a battle bow. Those three terms give us tremendous insight into the Messiah.
The phrase “out of him” refers back to the house of Judah in verse 3. The Deliverer who came from the house of Judah is the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture not only identifies Him as the lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5; cf., Gen. 49:10), but also records His being born at the Messianic birthplace of Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1). Micah 5:2 says, “Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
B. His Impact Illustrated
1. As a cornerstone
Zechariah states that “out of him came forth the corner,” which refers to a cornerstone. That messianic title was used by the former prophets and the New Testament authors several times.
a) Isaiah 28:16–”Thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.” The apostle Peter identifies that stone as Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:5-7).
b) Romans 9:32-33–Paul here repeats what Isaiah said: “[Israel] stumbled at that stumbling stone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Paul was referring to the rejection of Jesus Christ by Israel, which was seeking righteousness by works.
c) 1 Corinthians 1:23–Paul said, “We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block.”
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
