<p>11:30 <em>For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience- </em>As noted on :28, their disobedience meant that Gentiles could be saved. Even human failure is used by God in His wider purpose.The Gentiles &quot;have now obtained mercy (i.e. the merciful opportunity to hear the Gospel) through their (Israel's) unbelief. Even so have these (Israel) also now not believed, that through your mercy they may obtain mercy&quot; (Rom. 11:30,31). &quot;Mercy&quot; here cannot be read on a surface level; it cannot be that by showing mercy, another race may obtain mercy. &quot;Mercy&quot; is surely being used as a figure for the preaching of the Gospel. Through our mercy to them in this way they can obtain mercy.</p>