Skip to main content

Romans 11:16: If The Dough Offered as Firstfruits Is Holy, So Is The Whole Lump


Romans 11:16
[16] If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. (ESV)

Paul uses a couple illustrations to describe the Israelite people. Dough for a lump of bread and the root of a tree. He says that these represent firstfruits. We must immediately raise the question, "What are firstfruits? Firstfruits is a biblical concept that we find first in the Old Testament, and also repeated in the New Testament.

The Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology defines firstfruits in this way: "The concept of firstfruits derives from God's creation work. Because God created everything that exists, all of creation belongs to him ( Psalm 24:1 ). Consequently, that which is first and best belongs to him and is to be given to him."

The first and the best that were given to the Lord in regards to the people of Israel would have been Abraham. He was a faithful man of God who was called to be the father of the people of Israel. It is significant to understand that Abraham was declared righteous because he believed God, and not by his works. His example and his life are a firstfruits for the whole nation of Israel.

The dough would represent Abraham. So also the root of the tree of Israel would be represented in Abraham. The whole nation of Israel is viewed as holy because at the root of the tree is a holy man, Abraham. Does this mean that Israel had no obligation to walk in faith because they were holy vicariously through Abraham. We will see in future verses that this is not the case.

Consider the concept of giving God the firstfruits of your life. He deserves the best that you have. Are you giving him the best, recognizing that he deserves all of you?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co