The Old Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Mentor's Guide, MG09

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T H E O L D T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

Gentiles, the Wild Tree, Grafted Into the People of God by Faith In Romans 11.17–24 the Gentiles are identified with the wild olive tree in contrast to the good olive tree. The olive tree was one of the most extensively cultivated fruit trees in the Mediterranean region and an important source of revenue (1 Sam. 8.14; 2 Kings 5.26). Israel is pictured as an olive tree in the OT: “The Lord called you a thriving olive tree with fruit beautiful in form” (Jer. 11.16 NIV; see also Hos. 14.6). It signifies their spiritual blessing, prosperity and beauty (cf. Ps. 52.8; 128.3). For Paul, in contrast, the wild olive tree, which by nature bears small and worthless fruit, is emblematic of the unfruitfulness of the Gentiles. The Gentile Christians, however, are now engrafted into the cultivated olive tree, the (believing) Jews. ~ Leland Ryken. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery . (electronic ed.) Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000, pp. 324-325.

II. The Messianic Promise Universalized: Gentile Inclusion in the Hope of Messiah

According to Paul, God in this era is now making known a mystery which stands at the very center of what he is seeking to reveal to humankind regarding his intention to save a people for himself in Jesus Christ.

A. The mystery now revealed: Gentile participation in the covenant as fellow heirs and citizens

1. The revelation of the mystery disclosed through the prophetic writings [in the apostles’ teaching], Rom. 16.25-27

2. The greatness of the riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, Col. 1.24-27

3. Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body, Eph. 3.4-6.

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B. Clues of the universal Gospel in the OT’s witness to Christ

1. The seed of the woman would destroy the serpent, Gen. 3.15.

2. In Abraham, all the families of the earth would be blessed, Gen. 12.1-3.

3. Messiah’s life and ministry would be a Light to the Gentiles , Isa. 49.6.

4. God would be sought by a nation not called by his name .