ROMANS 11:5

“In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.”

I love when I see a steak that has been labeled “choice prime.” I know that is going to be a good cut of meat and will, if prepared well, taste great. Now, that piece of meat didn’t label itself “choice prime.” That was done by a person who knows meat and cuts of meat. That person has the experience and knowledge to make that “choice.”

That’s probably a very poor analogy to what Paul is saying in today’s verse about God’s choice of His remnant (all analogies fall short at some point). Paul is still reflecting on his story about Elijah in the previous two verses. Just as God told Elijah that he was not alone in serving Him, there were seven thousand others whom He had preserved (a remnant) that had not turned to Baal. “As in Elijah’s time the apostasy of Israel was not so universal as it seemed to be, and as he in his despondency concluded it to be, so now, the rejection of Christ by Israel is not so appalling in extent as one would be apt to think:” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary) 

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated “choice” is eklogé. It’s used seven times in the New Testament, four of those times in Romans (9:11; 11:5, 7, 28). It’s interesting that this same word is used in Acts 9:15 in God’s conversation with Ananias about Paul. God says to Ananias after Ananias had expressed concerns about going to Saul (later to be called Paul), “‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;’” Saul (Paul) was God’s choice then and was still His choice when Paul was writing this letter to the Romans. 

Paul uses eklogé again in 1 Thessalonians 1:4, “knowing, brothers and sisters, beloved by God, His choice of you;” We see the word used again by Peter in 2 Peter 1:10. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;”

The Topical Lexicon says that eklogé “is rooted in God’s grace, advances His redemptive purpose for both Israel and the nations, and summons believers to holiness, assurance, and mission.” As a follower of Christ, you are God’s “choice prime.” He has deemed you worthy of His stamp of approval, not because of anything you have done, but because of what His Son did on your behalf. Praise Him for all He has done!

O Lord, words could never express my gratitude for Your stamp of “choice” on me.

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