The Faithful Remnant

So I ask, God has not rejected his people, has he? Absolutely not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God on behalf of Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left and they are seeking my life!” But what was the divine response to him? “I have kept for myself 7,000 people who have not bent the knee to Baal.” So in the same way at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was diligently seeking, but the elect obtained it. The rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day.” And David says, “Let their table become a snare and trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they may not see, and make their backs bend continually.” Romans 11:1-10 NET

Paul continues his argument regarding his fellow countrymen, emphasizing that God has not permanently rejected His people, even if it may seem that way at times. He seeks to counter this misconception by pointing out that, despite being a physical Jew descended from the tribe of Benjamin, he believes in the existence of a remnant—a select group chosen by God—who are called to act as instruments of salvation for others who have yet to hear and receive the Gospel message.

This concept of a remnant has been a recurring theme throughout biblical history. From the Israelites in the desert to the prophets, God has consistently raised up a smaller group to bear witness to His saving grace. This illustrates God’s overarching plan of His desire to extend His mercy not just to a select few, but to all of humanity.

Paul’s perspective signifies a profound truth about God’s inclusive nature and His unwavering love for all people. He desires that those who have experienced a relationship with Him actively reach out to those who are still in darkness. This mission is not to be accomplished through mere stories or testimonies, but through the transformative power of changed lives that exemplify the Gospel’s power. By living out their faith authentically, believers can effectively show others the beauty of a life redeemed by God’s grace.

Paul referenced the profound despair experienced by the prophet Elijah during a particularly tumultuous period in Israel’s history, which was marked by rampant idolatry and moral decay. Under the reign of King Ahab, who was influenced by his wife, Queen Jezebel, the Israelites turned away from their covenant with the one true God. They began to worship Baal, a false deity associated with fertility and prosperity.

In a bold act of faith, Elijah took the initiative to rebuild the altar on Mount Carmel, a site of significance that overlooked the Mediterranean and was symbolic of the spiritual battle between the true God and the pagan gods of the land. This led to a dramatic and highly publicized showdown in which Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, demonstrating God’s supremacy through a miraculous display of fire descending from heaven to consume his sacrifice.

Following this demonstration of divine power, the people, stirred by Elijah’s courage, executed the prophets of Baal—450 in total, including Ithobaal, the priest-king of Tyre, who was also Jezabel’s father, who had played a key role in promoting idolatry. However, rather than celebrating this moment of victory, Elijah soon found himself in mortal danger, as Queen Jezebel, outraged by the slaughter of her prophets, placed a bounty on his life.

Overwhelmed by the relentless turmoil that ensued and feeling the immense weight of his solitary struggle against widespread idolatry and the vengeful pursuit of Jezebel, Elijah was divinely led to a secluded cave on Mount Sinai. This sacred location, steeped in biblical history as the site where Moses encountered God, became a refuge for Elijah.

In the cave, Elijah earnestly sought God’s presence, pouring out his heart in anguish and despair. He cried out, wishing for his own death, as the emotional toll of his relentless battle against the evil represented by Jezebel became unbearable. Elijah believed he was utterly alone, convinced that Jezebel had systematically hunted down and murdered all the prophets of the Lord, leaving him as the last bastion of righteousness in a nation steeped in sin.

However, God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, reassured Elijah that he was not alone. The Lord revealed to him that He had preserved a faithful remnant of 7,000 individuals in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal or professed loyalty to this false god. This powerful revelation revitalized Elijah, filling him with renewed hope and the strength he needed to rise once more from despair. Empowered by this newfound understanding of God’s unwavering presence and commitment to His people, Elijah boldly approached King Ahab to declare God’s impending judgment for his apostasy, reaffirming the sovereignty of the one true God over Israel and calling the nation back to faithfulness.

In our present time, there exists a dedicated remnant that God has preserved for Himself, but this remnant is just the beginning of a much larger narrative. This chosen group is imbued with a critical purpose: to actively proclaim the love of the Lord to the world, offering the hope of salvation rather than passively waiting for Jesus’ return.

The urgency of this mission cannot be overstated; there is vital work to be done, and a spiritual harvest that is ripe for gathering. Our responsibility is to engage in this harvest by reaping the fruits of what has been sown through our faithful efforts and the many who came before us.

A poignant illustration of this concept can be found in the song “Bringing in the Sheaves,” written by Knowles Shaw in 1874. This hymn encapsulates our participation in the last days’ harvest, reflecting the tireless effort and heartfelt dedication required to fulfill our calling. The inspiration for this song is drawn from Psalm 126:6, which beautifully conveys the emotional depth of our labor: “The one who weeps as he walks along, carrying his bag of seed, will certainly come in with a shout of joy, carrying his sheaves of grain.” This verse serves as a powerful reminder that, though the work may be challenging and filled with sorrow, the eventual joy and reward from God will be profound and worth every effort.

“Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain:
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Going forth with weeping, Master,
Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Stephen Barnett