Paul was emphatic that God had not rejected his people, the Israelites. As an Israelite himself, Paul has evidence of this. It appeared that the Israelites had hardened their hearts, but Paul said that God had called the Israelites for all time - God chose them as his elect. All Israel would be saved. We need to remember that God's covenant with Israel still stands. It has not been revoked. All Israel will be saved.

The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely. While having dinner with some Pharisees, Jesus noticed how the guests chose to sit at the places of honour. So, Jesus shared a parable on humility. He advised that it would be better to sit in the lowest place and be asked to move up rather than be sitting in a place of honour and be asked to relinquish it when someone more deserving arrived. Jesus concluded by saying that all who exalted themselves would be humbled, and those who humbled themselves would be exalted. This is God's way and is a reversal of the way of the world.