How did Israel's fall result in salvation coming to the Gentiles?
Paul writes that Israel did not obtain the King and the Kingdom they sought because they did not recognize it, and the rest were blinded. Yet God did not banish them entirely; rather, through their fall—their rejection of the promises—salvation came to the Gentiles.
Les explains that Israel was seeking the King and the Kingdom, but they did not recognize it, so they missed it. The election—those who believed—understood, but the rest were blinded. In Romans 11:11, Paul asks if they stumbled so as to fall completely, and answers, “God forbid,” or as Les prefers, “banish the thought.” Instead, through their fall—their rejecting all these promises—salvation is come to the Gentiles. Les notes this was already preconceived in the councils of the Godhead before eternity began; God wasn’t caught by surprise. So when he teaches that the Old Testament was “Jew only, Jew only, Jew only,” with a few exceptions, Israel’s fall becomes the means by which salvation reaches the Gentiles.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
More Questions
How did Israel's rejection bring salvation to the Gentiles?
Israel's fall, namely their rejection of all these promises, resulted in salvation coming to the Gentiles.
Why did salvation come to the Gentiles through Israel's fall in Romans 11:11?
Israel did not stumble so as to fall permanently; rather, through their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles in order to provoke the Jews to jealousy.