God always planned to include Gentiles in his promise to save the world. But Israel disobeyed and failed to fulfill the role God intended for them (to bless the nations through his chosen people). Yet God used that situation to achieve his original plan anyway. The gospel spread as originally intended; and God uses the Gentiles' positive response to provoke Israel to desire that salvation for themselves. God indeed can take any situation and make it work out for good for those who love him and are called according to his purposes.
What did Israel’s transgression mean for the Gentiles? (v.12)
"Dear God, as I read more about your love and mercy for all, I ask that you give me a heart of compassion like yours. Make me an instrument of hope to those around who have yet to know you. Let my life be a reflection of your kindness. Help me be a living testimony of the love of Christ to all I know. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen."
Paul pictures Jews and Gentiles as branches of a tree— both sharing the tree’s nourishment based on faith alone. If we are chosen by God, we will keep believing and will not be cut off. We prove God’s sovereign love is on us by persevering in the faith— with humble gratefulness remaining grafted into his people.
How do we prevent being “cut off” ourselves? (v.22)
"Dear Lord, help me to remember that I have been grafted into your family by grace alone. Keep me humble. Keep me rooted in Christ the Vine. And keep me fruitful as a faithful branch, bearing fruit that honours your name. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen."
As difficult as it may be for us finite creatures to understand, God’s handling of the Jews and the Gentiles is intended to expose all of us to his mercy. What we do know is that God in his unsearchable wisdom fully knows his plan and all of it is under his sovereign control. Like Paul, our only appropriate response to such revelation of God’s supremacy is worship in awe.