Yes, Israel's fall — their rejection of the Messiah — caused God to set them aside and turn to the Gentiles, resulting in the spiritual riches of salvation coming to the world.
Les Feldick teaches that because Israel rejected their Messiah, God set them aside from their place of preeminence and offered salvation to the Gentiles through the free gospel of grace. This brought spiritual riches — not money or gold — but the blessings of Christianity to the Gentile world, as stated in Romans 11:12.
Romans 11:11-12 — This passage directly explains that Israel's fall leads to salvation for the Gentiles and describes it as 'riches for the world.'
In Romans 11:11-12, Paul writes that Israel stumbled but not to fall completely. Through their fall, salvation came to the Gentiles, to provoke Israel to jealousy. If their fall is the riches of the world (the Gentiles), how much greater will their fullness bring? This shows that God used Israel's rejection to bring the gospel to the world.
Les Feldick explains that Israel's fall—their rejection of the Messiah—caused God to set them aside and turn to the Gentiles, bringing spiritual riches to the world. These riches are not material wealth but the blessings of salvation and freedom through Christianity. He emphasizes that the 'world' here refers to the Gentile world, not the physical earth, and that these riches can be present even in extreme poverty. He also notes that Gentile blessing was intended to provoke Israel to jealousy, but instead it often led to anger and persecution.
Les Feldick explains that the 'riches of the world' are primarily spiritual riches, not material wealth such as money, gold, or silver. They refer to the blessings and freedom found through Christianity, which came to the Gentile world through Israel's fall. Even in extreme poverty, people can possess these spiritual riches, as seen in the example of poor people in Haiti who sang with joy despite hunger and lack.
Les teaches that before Christianity, the Gentile world was mired in idolatry, paganism, superstition, and fear. Christianity brought freedom from these practices and elevated women from a position of burden to one of respect and equality. However, this truth has been abused over time.
God's intention was to provoke Israel to jealousy by blessing the Gentiles, hoping Israel would return to Him. However, instead of jealousy, it often produced anger, persecution, and hostility toward Jewish people, as seen in human history.
God's Purpose to Provoke Jealousy
Les explains that God intended to make Israel jealous by turning to the Gentiles, but it instead caused anger and persecution.
Spiritual Riches Defined
Les clarifies that 'riches of the world' are spiritual, not material, and are available even in poverty.
Israel Set Aside, Future Restoration
Les highlights that Israel's fall brought salvation to Gentiles, and their future fullness will be even greater.
Salvation to Gentiles Because of Israel's Rejection
Les explains that God opened grace to Gentiles because Israel rejected it, and the purpose was to provoke the Jews.
Gentiles Grafted In
Les describes how Gentiles were put into the place of blessing that Israel lost.
Gentiles' Response to Opportunity
Les notes that many Gentiles have also rejected the opportunity, similar to Israel.
Israel's Rejection Led to Gentile Dealings
Les shows that because Israel rejected God, He now deals with Gentiles.
Grace Unique to the Church Age
Les explains that Gentile salvation is a unique outpouring of grace, separate from Israel's promises.
Romans 11:11: 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.
This verse shows the immediate result of Israel's fall: salvation reaches the Gentiles.
Romans 11:12: Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
This verse explicitly links Israel's fall to riches for the world and Gentiles.
The spiritual riches are the blessings of salvation and freedom through Christianity, not material wealth. They include forgiveness of sins, peace with God, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
No, God did not intend it as a permanent destruction but used it to bring salvation to the Gentiles and provoke Israel to jealousy, as Les explains.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles