What does 'life from the dead' mean for Israel in Romans 11:15?
In Romans 11:15, 'life from the dead' means Israel's national restoration. Though scattered among the nations and seemingly dead as a viable entity, Israel will come back when God returns and fulfills His promises to them—a greater event than the reconciliation poured out on the Gentile world.
Les explains that Paul in verse 15 is referring to this: the reconciliation poured out on the Gentile world, great as it has been, is nothing compared to what will happen to Israel when God comes back and fulfills His promises with them. Israel, scattered among the nations, is dead and not a viable entity, but they are coming back. Les points to the little nation of Israel in the news every day, a miraculous sign that they are God's people and He is getting them ready for His soon return.
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
More Questions
What is Paul contrasting in Romans 11:15?
In Romans 11:15, Paul contrasts the reconciliation poured out on the Gentile world with the far greater restoration of Israel that will happen when God returns to fulfill His promises to them.