When did Israel experience the fall Paul talks about in Romans 11?
Israel experienced the fall Paul describes in Romans 11 when they crucified their Messiah and rejected His offer of the King and the Kingdom. That rejection of the Old Testament covenant promises caused them to stumble, and through their fall salvation came to the Gentiles.
Les explains that the fall of Israel in Romans 11 happened when they crucified their Messiah and rejected His offer of the King and the Kingdom. He asks, "When did Israel experience this kind of a fall?" and answers, "When they crucified their Messiah, and rejected His offer of the King and the Kingdom. That's when they fell." Les clarifies that this did not mean Israel was completely out of God's program, but through their fall and rejection of the Old Testament covenant promises, salvation came to the Gentiles. He encourages his audience to stop and think as they read, and to study rather than just read.
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
Did Israel stumble so as to fall completely out of God's program in Romans 11:11?
Paul teaches that Israel did not stumble so as to fall completely out of God's program—Paul's answer is "God forbid," so that should not be thought.
Does Romans 11 teach that Israel has completely fallen and is out of God's plan?
Romans 11:11's question about whether Israel stumbled so as to fall means asking whether Israel is completely out of God's program, and the answer is no—Israel has not fallen permanently or totally.