Seven Thousand Men Reserved by God Romans 11:4

Paul the apostle referred to the prophet Elijah's words as he told the people in Rome, “Lord, they have killed your prophets, and dug down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life”, and in chapter eleven and verse four of Romans, Paul referred to how God said to Elijah, “I have reserved to myself seven thousand men” where we read:

But what says the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

The verse begins, “But what says the answer of God unto him? ” Paul began with the word, “Lord” which means “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”, “they have killed” or “the opposing unbelievers have destroyed, allowed to perish, extinguished and abolished” “your prophets” which refers to “God's one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”, “and dug down” which means “demolished and destroyed” “your altars” or “God's place for slaying and burning victims used for whole burnt offerings”. Paul referred to God's “answer” to Elijah.

The verse goes on to say, “I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.” Paul added the words, “I have reserved” which means “God had left behind, allowed to remain and did not abandon” “to myself” or “for God Himself” “seven thousand men” which refers to “seven thousand male human beings”, “who have no bowed the knee” which refers to “that did not bend their knee in worship” “to the image of Baal” which refers to “the Phoenician deity whose name means “lord” and was the supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations as Ashtoreth was their supreme female divinity. Paul shared how God “kept for Himself” “seven thousand men” who did not worship the foreign idol named “Baal”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he employed the example of God speaking to Elijah concerning “men” he “reserved” for Himself. Though Elijah's assessment was that he was the only prophet of God left, God knew of “seven thousand” others. God knows who chooses Him and His Son Jesus Christ, and He knows those who do not. God's plan of salvation is for every person, and He is willing to receive everyone who will accept His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, turn from their sinful ways and allow Him to be in control of their lives. Elijah thought he was the sole believer in God, however, let us remember, God “reserves” to Himself as many as He wills.

Next time we see Paul tell the people in Rome, “at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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