SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT, THREE SENSES

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT (BDB 984, KB 1375), THREE SENSES

Old Testament
The OT concept of "a faithful remnant" is a recurrent theme of the Prophets (mostly in the eighth century prophets and Jeremiah). It is used in three senses:
1. those who survived the famine in Joseph's day ‒ Gen. 45:7 (note v. 5)
  SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (the name)
  SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN
  SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST
2. those who survived the Exiles (e.g., 2 Kgs. 19:30-31; Ezra 9:8,14-15; Neh. 1:2-3; Isa. 10:20-23; 17:4-6; 37:4,31-32; 46:3; Jer. 23:3; 31:7-8; 40:11-12; 42:15,19; 44:12,14,28; 50:20; Micah 2:12; 5:7-8; 7:18; Hag. 1:12-14; 2:2; Zech. 8:6,11-12)
3. those who remain faithful to YHWH (e.g., Isa. 4:1-5; 11:11,16; 28:5; Joel 2:32; Amos 5:14-15)
4. those who are a part of the eschatological renewal and recreation (e.g., Amos 9:11-15; Zech. 8:6)
New Testament
The parable of the soils in Mark 4:1-20 and Matt. 13:1-23, which quote Isa. 6:9-10, is a good example of how the NT understands this term (also note Rom. 9:6 in reference to Israel of Paul's day).
The "remnant" of the NT is made up of
1. Jews who trusted Christ (cf. Rom. 9:27-29)
2. Gentiles who trusted Christ (cf. Rom. 9:24-26)
3. Both groups are spoken of in Rom. 9:30-35; 11:11-24,25-32.
  Believing Israel is not just racial (i.e., Rom. 9:6; 2:18-19; Gal. 6:15-16; Eph. 2:11-3:13), but a believing group of faithful followers of God's new, complete revelation in Jesus (i.e., the New Covenant of Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36).
  Saying this seems to be denying OT texts (i.e., Jer. 31:7-9; Micah 5:7-8) about national Israel being the remnant. Please look at my SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO OT COVENANT PROMISES SEEM SO DIFFERENT FROM NT COVENANT PROMISES? The gospel changes everything!

SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE GOSPEL