A Remnant Chosen by Grace

Paul dismisses the thought that God has rejected his people. He himself is an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, and he points to Elijah’s complaint and God’s reply — seven thousand who had not bowed to Baal.

I¹ ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. ²God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: ³“Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? ⁴And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

In the same way, a remnant stands today — chosen by grace. And if grace, then not by works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace at all.

⁵In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. ⁶And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

Israel as a whole did not obtain what it sought, but the elect did; the rest were hardened, which Paul supports with scripture from Moses and David — eyes darkened, backs bent, unable to see.

⁷What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, ⁸as it is written: ⁹And David says: ¹⁰May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,