Romans 11.  Paul asks a rhetorical question — “has God rejected Israel?”  He answers: “By no means.”  His explanation can be summed up by three phrases 1) present remnant: Paul and others are Jewish branches currently in the olive tree.  There always have been ethnic Jews who trust in Christ as their Messiah and the world’s Savior.  2) temporary hardening: Just as Pharaoh was hardened in order for God to rescue the Hebrews against his will, so ethnic Israel today is hardened against Christ, and the Gentile inclusion. 3) eventual fullness:  There is hope for all Israel to be saved by coming to Christ and having their sins forgiven by the new covenant.  If God by his mercy brought some Jews and then some Gentiles into the covenant, he can certainly do the same for some more Israelites.

LORD, return the children of Jacob to yourself through Christ!