His People Which He Foreknew

2022-04-04

Previously, we looked at how the word family “foreknowledge,” “foreknow,” “know,” and “foreordain.” From various passages, we saw how this can mean simply knowing something ahead of time or to choose ahead of time. However, the question remains, what do we do with the verses that both employ one of these words while dealing with salvation? Let us look at those.

Consider the following: “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias?” (Romans 11:2). Context is imperative here. “His people” here means the Jewish nation (cf. Romans 11:1). The entire section of Romans 9-11 deals with Israel and the reasons why they are not receptive to the Gospel.

Next, we see a reference to Elijah the prophet, who fled for his life, and who had believed that he was the last one left who was loyal to God. Then we read God’s answer to him and its implications:

But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:4-6)

The first century was another time where Israel as a nation rejected the Lord, like in Elijah’s day. They did not want Jesus to save them from their sins, but rather a conqueror that would throw off foreign rule. That is why they could cry out Hosanna one day and a few days later cry out to crucify Him, calling down curses on themselves that His blood be on them and their children. The book of Hebrews is written to people who had become dull of hearing any teaching. The book of Acts ends with the Jews in Rome not being able agree on whether Jesus was the Christ or not. Because of this, as God did with Israel and other nations in the past, He gave them over to their desires, and ultimately destroyed Jerusalem, about 40 years after Jesus rose from the dead.

Not many Jews believed the Gospel because their traditions and expectations were contrary to what God was offering them. However, some believed: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:11-12). These were the “remnant according to the election of grace.” Because they believed in salvation by the grace of God, God elected them. They were reserved by God. They did not work for salvation or God’s blessing, as their fellow countrymen were attempting. They believed the message of the Gospel: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Just because they believed, I am not saying that they necessarily “chose” belief, however. I hope to discuss this later. Suffice it for now that they believed, unlike most of the other Jews.

This passage is also dealing primarily with the Jewish nation and a remnant of believers from this nation. It will be good to look at this outside the Jewish/Gentile context and what this means for individual people, which we will turn to next.