“For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:30-32)
Although Paul acknowledged that Israel as a whole had rejected Jesus, he considered this to be neither permanent nor total, but temporary and partial. He pointed out that a portion of the Jewish people had faith in Jesus. Therefore, God has fulfilled His promises through that portion which is part of the elect. Nevertheless, Paul believed that at some time in the future many more Jews would come to salvation, though not all. But they will not come by means of the works of the Law nor on the basis of their ethnic origin, religious, or national heritage. They will not have a different means of salvation from other believers. All human beings inherit eternal life in the same way: by faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
For now, however, the rejection of Christ by the Jews is good news for the Gentiles, for now the gospel is being preached to them and they are being granted salvation. Christ came as Messiah of the Jews in fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham and Israel. Since Israel rejected Jesus, He chose to graft into the chosen people those who were outside of the Jewish heritage and nation. This was the Lord’s plan from the time He called Abraham. The Lord promised that all nations would be blessed up through Him. This has now been fulfilled in the Church. Though Israel had disobeyed God and failed to be a light to the Gentiles, God used their disobedience to fulfill His promise and accomplish His work. We believers are called to do the same in the midst of this current wave of hatred, violence, and unrighteous behavior.