The Meaning Behind Gentiles Being Adopted into God's Family: Understanding the Biblical Perspectives
Have you ever pondered why Paul refers to the Gentiles as those who were adopted into God's family, especially in a context where God is often perceived as the Creator of all humans? In Romans 11:11-24, Paul draws a fascinating parallel between the natural branches of an olive tree and the wild branches that have been grafted in. This deliberate comparison is key to understanding why Gentiles are seen as part of God's family and how they are included in God’s promises and inheritance.
Adoption – Not Birthright
Contrary to the idea that God has a divine right to bestow promises, salvation, and His presence on those who are biologically His children, the Bible emphasizes that we are adopted into God's family. This adoption is not based on birthright but on a choice of God. We do not have inherent rights to these divine promises; they are granted to us by God’s grace.
The Role of Adoption in Scriptural Perspectives
Throughout the Bible, the concept of adoption is used to illustrate the relationship between the Gentiles and God. This reflects the idea that the Gentiles, despite not being biologically related to God, are chosen and brought into His family through faith in Jesus Christ and baptism.
Why the Gentiles Were Grafted in
According to Paul, the Gentiles were grafted into the tree of salvation because the Jews – who were deeply favored by God as His chosen people – did not recognize their Messiah, Jesus. This is an essential point in Romans 11:11-24 where Paul explains that the natural branches (Israel) were broken off, and the wild branches (Gentiles) were grafted in due to their unbelief.
Israel's Role and Failure
Israel, as the seed of Abraham, was chosen by God to be a holy and a light to the Gentiles, enabling them to know God. However, the Israelites instead pursued foreign gods and betrayed their calling, as prophesied by Isaiah and Ezekiel.
God's Promise and Plan
Despite Israel's failure, God had promised to restore His kingdom to them after they repented and would eventually fulfill His covenant with ethnic Israel. When Jesus revealed Himself as the promised Davidic King, He was initially rejected by the Jews, as prophesied by Isaiah. In response, Jesus called His disciples to fulfill Abraham's commission to bless the nations by preaching the gospel.
Gentile Participation in God's Plan
Paul's mission among the Gentiles was to preach the gospel, leading them to become Abraham's spiritual seed through faith and heirs of the promises to Abraham and his descendants. This is symbolized in the olive tree analogy, where Gentiles are the wild branches grafted in, and Jews, despite their current unbelief, remain natural branches within the tree.
Addressing the Looming Question: What About Israel?
Paul anticipated a question from his Gentile readers: “Have they stumbled that they should fall?” (Romans 11:11) Today, some advocate a view known as supersessionism or replacement theology, which asserts that the Church has replaced Israel and will inherit the promises solely in a spiritual sense. However, Romans 11 definitively demonstrates that God’s plan is not yet complete with Israel; they will eventually be grafted back into the collective people of God.
God’s Greater Redemptive Plan
Romans 11 concludes with the profound statement that “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). This includes the promise of land inheritance, as prophesied in Deuteronomy 30:1-10. The Gentiles, through their adoption into God’s family, play a critical role in blessing the nations and sharing the gospel, in preparation for the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Israel.
In essence, the inclusion of the Gentiles into God's family is not a matter of replacing the Jews but a part of a larger redemptive plan. Both Jews and Gentiles are distinct populations within the people of God, with roles in the Davidic or Millennial Kingdom. The prophets foresaw the Kingdom as the final form of the olive tree, where Israel would once again bless the Gentiles, bringing full circle God’s redemptive plan for both.