Question:
In Romans 11:17-22, what does grafting and the olive branches represent? How will a person be cut off?
Answer:
One of the symbols used in the Old Testament Scriptures for Israel as a nation is the olive tree. “O Israel…His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon (Hosea 14:1, 6).
A careful reading of Romans 11:11-25 clearly shows that the Spirit of God is speaking here, not of blessing to individuals, but of blessing to the nation of Israel and to all Gentiles (which includes all peoples who are not Israelites). Therefore, this Scripture is a message to us Gentiles, telling us that though Israel has been set aside and God’s blessing is now going out to the whole world (v.12, 15), yet there is coming a day when Israel’s blessing will be restored to her.
The illustration that is used to explain this is that the branches (Israel) have been broken off “because of unbelief,” and “a wild olive tree” (Gentiles) has been grafted in. So the message that God has to say to us is that “If God spared not the natural branches [Israel], take heed lest He also spare not thee [Gentiles]” (verses 15-21).
So, Romans 11:22 is a warning that the Gentiles will be “cut off” (just as the Jewish people were removed from God’s blessing) if they do not continue to honor Him. “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them [Jews] which fell, severity; but toward thee [Gentiles], goodness, if thou [Gentiles] continue in His goodness: otherwise thou [Gentiles] also shalt be cut off” (Romans 11:22).
We are then told one of the precious truths, or “mysteries,” of Scripture, that Israel (in the soon coming day) will once again enjoy all the blessings of being God’s earthly people as soon as “the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” Romans 11:25 says: “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” The next verse tells us this will happen when the Lord comes, and: “All Israel shall be saved,” and the nation of Israel will be born in a day (Isaiah 66:8).