Israel & the Gentile

Israel - the natural branch - the elect of GOD.
Gentile - the wild branch - to them the gospel.

Romans 11:28
1. Concerning the gospel, Israel is enemy to the gospel - and that for the sake of the Gentile.
2. Concerning election, Israel is beloved for the sake of the Father.
Romans 11:12
3. The "diminishing" of Israel benefits the Gentile.
The "fall" of Israel benefits the world.
Romans 11:15
4. The "casting away" (rejection) of Israel resulted in the reconciling of the world.
5. The receiving of Israel will be life for the dead.

The picture we see here that GOD makes for us, is that the sacrifice of Israel was (is) the salvation of the Gentile (the world). This was GOD'S doing. He rejected Israel, and gave the gospel to the Gentile.
note:
Israel was elected by GOD to be His people:
The Gentile was given the gospel.

Both were and are dependent upon a man's faith. GOD did not - does not - function arbitrarily. The natural branch - Israel - was broken off because they did not believe GOD:
The unnatural branch - the Gentile - was grafted into the vine(JESUS CHRIST - john 15:5) because they believed GOD.

We ought note that the sacrifice of Israel (Romans 11) is the salvation of the Gentile. We have here the shadow (Israel) and the very image (JESUS). We have Israel being prophetic, and a pattern, of the only begotten Son of GOD - the 1st born among many brethren. If we recall from Exodus 4:22, GOD called Israel His firstborn, just as JESUS was the firstborn among many brethren(Romans 8:29). We have here a demonstration of the "manifold wisdom of GOD" (Ephesians 3:10): "manifold meaning = 'stripes of varying color, equal in size, side by side'.
When the Gentile was in unbelief GOD sent them the gospel because Israel did not believe; and so GOD'S mercy came to the Gentile, for He ought to have hardened their heart for their unbelief even as He did Israel for their unbelief. HOWEVER, just as mercy came to the Gentile because Israel would not believe, so likewise because of that mercy shown to the Gentile it will come to Israel, and "all Israel shall be saved". (Romans 11:26). For GOD'S desire was and is to show mercy to all, and therefore He shut us all up together in unbelief." (Romans 11:32). He worked His plan such that all men were in unbelief and at the mercy of GOD so that He could demonstrate His mercifulness to all men. This is an incredible awesome and complex plan that only GOD could conceive and only GOD had the power and wisdom to execute, and that without violating the GOD given free will of man to chose.

A warning is issued to the Gentile believer; DON'T BE HIGH MINDED because GOD rejected Israel and accepted you. WHY? Because:
1. belief is the key to being acceptable to GOD (Hebrews 11:6 - "without faith it is impossible to please GOD") and if you go to unbelief you will be rejected (cut off), and, if Israel turns to belief they (the natural branch) will be grafted back into the vine. (Rms. 11:18)
2. the day is coming when all Israel will be saved - when GOD shall turn away sin from them. (Rms. 11:26)
It must be understood that this passage of Romans 11 teaches us that GOD permitted their fall so that the Gentile could become sons of GOD; BUT, by the same token GOD will redeem Israel.
I.E.
GOD permits to happen...
GOD causes to happen...
We see both His permissiveness and His deliberate imposed authority over life. He uses both means to accomplish His purposes.
We ought not focus so much on our choices and thoughts and deeds which is the product of mere flesh and blood; For GOD is at work accomplishing His goal(s), His desire(s), His pleasure, His purpose. When we study His scripture are focusing on who we are according to His word, OR are we looking to understand Him and who He is, what He wants, what He thinks, what is in His heart? (see FOUNDATIONAL at the MISSION'S web site)
Israel He called His firstborn, He wanted to be to them a Father and they to be to Him sons: He wants that for every man woman and child that ever was or ever will be. (Ephesians 1:1-10 and 3:11-20)