Rom. 9:6-8 - God’s Word Did Not Fail

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;
7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED."
8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.

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They Are Not All Israel

V. 6-7 - “But it is not as though the word of God has failed” - Given all the advantages the Jews had (see verses 3-5, above), why the failure of the Jews to thrive? Should not the Jews have been wildly successful? Of course they should. Just as with faith in Christ is voluntary - God does not force us to believe in Jesus - the Jews were not forced to follow His covenants.

IF they had followed: “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.’” (Isa. 48:17-18) One of the saddest statements in scripture is found in those verses: “If only you had paid attention...”
Jesus’ lament as He entered Jerusalem echoes this sentiment. (See: Matt. 23:23) The word of God did not fail. The people failed to follow. God does not ask us to be robots, programmed to respond. He asks us to be friends, or to be His children - responding with love to His love for us.

“For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel” - Just because your parents went to church does not mean you are a Christian. Each person is judged for his own response to the Lord. (See: Eze. 18:4, 19-23) A person descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is physically a Jew (or Israelite, or Hebrew). 

“nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants” - Referring to “children of God”. They MAY be a spiritual descendant of Abraham, IF they respond to God in faith! Just because some people are descendants of Abraham does not mean they are ‘children of God’.

To wit: Abraham had two sons: Ishmael with Hagar and Isaac with Sarah. Ishmael grew up, moved away and became prominent, having twelve sons who formed tribes or clans and prospered. (See: Gen. 25:12-18). Isaac had two sons (fraternal twins) - Esau and Jacob. Esau and his descendants moved away from the Canaan area (See: Gen. 36:1-43). Note: the Edomites are (were) descendants of Esau. They have been a problem for the Israelites, even until now - then they refused passage through their land on the Jew’s journey from Egypt to Canaan. They plotted against and attacked Israel. David subdued them, but later they rebelled and freed themselves. Abraham also had sons by a second wife, Keturah. The promise was not fulfilled through any of these children, either.

Ishmael’s and Edom’s progeny definitely are NOT blessings for the world! Plus, the Messiah did not come from this line of Abraham but through Jacob’s family. Specifically through the family line of Judah. He, Judah, was not the first born, Reuben was. In that culture, most of the inheritance went to the first born son. (This is true in many countries that have ‘royalty’ - an example can be seen in the story line of “Downton Abbey”, where the son was died on the Titanic and the result was turmoil in the household.) 

V. 8 - “the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.” - This a reiteration of the statement in verses 6 & 7, above. “Children of the promise” are those who believe the Lord as did Abraham. Abraham received the blessing, or promise, from the Lord because He believed and acted on the commands of a God. (See: Rom. 4:2, 3, 9; Gen. 15:6, 18-20; Gal. 4:22-31)

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Rom. 9:1-5 - Concern for Jews

Chap. 9
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Chapters 9-11 looks at the role of Israel in God’s plan for salvation of the world. Looking back at Chapter 3 we see that the Jews had a distinct advantage over Gentiles in knowing about God, but they turned their backs on His commands. Chapter 4 gives us Abraham, the ancestor for the Jews through Isaac and Jacob, as an example of faith as the path to God.

In some ways, chapter 9, is a sharp turn in the letter. The Israelites were adopted into God’s family with glory, and covenants, the Law, the temple, and all their ancestors that led to Jesus. They were sons by birth, but not by faith. God had chosen them, not Israel choosing God. It is God’s plan, not man’s. Israel rejected God’s plan. The result was that now Gentiles were shown/given the way to be children of God. Gentiles have a shot at righteousness even though they have not pursued it. A remnant of Jews will be saved.

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Outline
9:1-5 - Concern for Jews
9:6-8 - God’s word did not fail
9:9-13 - Sarah & Rebekah
9:14-18 - It Depends on God
9:19-21 - Why find Fault
9:22-29 - God’s patience
9:30-33 - Gentiles gained righteousness

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1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,
2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,
5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

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V. 1-2 - “I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.” - After the joy and exultation we saw in chapter 8, this is jarring change in tone. Paul wants to impress on us how much he care for the Jews - he’s telling the truth; he’s not lying, and the Holy Spirit confirms it in his conscience.

V. 3-5 - “I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ” - This is an astounding statement! Paul would be willing to go to Hell if it would mean Jews would come to Christ as Lord and Savior! Jesus Christ died and went to Hell for you and I, separated from the Lord, and then was resurrected to eternal life.

“My brethren, my kinsmen... Israelites...” - Paul asked a rhetorical question back in Rom. 3:1 “Then what advantage has the Jew?” His answer then was simple, “Great!” He will spend the next couple of chapters working out the details. Paul rues the fact that his fellow Israelites have worked so hard at ignoring God’s call to them.
The Israelites are special in God’s economy. He chose them, through His promise to Abraham - adoption as sons. The Jews did not pick God to bless them. A child does not tell a family it will adopt him. That adoptive family makes the choice. It is God who chose them. (Deut. 4:37, 10:15) 
The Israelites did not generate a pillar of fire, or column of smoke to proceed or protect them. (Exo. 13:21, 22)They did not part the Red Sea, or collapse it again on the Egyptian army. (Exo. 14:15-31) They did not provide the water, or manna, or quail in the dessert to feed and sustain them. (Exo. 16) They did not generate the glory that proceeded them as they entered or conquered the lands. They did not cause fear in the nations because of Israel’s prowess. The nations feared Israel’s God.
The Israelites did not author the Law. They did not write the covenants and give them to God for Him to sign off. They did not design the tabernacle, nor the altars, or Ark of the Covenant.
The Israelites did not choose David to be king, nor did they sustain his family line from David time until that of Joseph and Mary.

“From whom is the Christ... who is over all,” - All the world is blessed because of the Jews. Jesus was a Jew, from the family line of King David. (See: Matt. 1:1-16; Luke 3:3:23-28)

I use the past tense tentatively, because Jesus is alive - He is not a “was” as in dead and gone. He was killed on the cross, was buried, and resurrected. I do not know if His re-birth ends the claim of Jewishness, because He is born anew and rules in heaven with God the Father. ”He is seated at the right hand of God." (Col. 3:1) In heaven, as God’s children, Jewishness or Gentileness would seem to be irrelevant, for there is no difference - we are God’s children. That is all that matters. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:34)

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Rom. 8:31-39 - Who Can Stop Us?

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;
34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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If God is For Us...

Verses 31-35 are a collection of rhetorical questions. The primary thought is “Who?” Who is against us? Who will charge us? Who will condemn us? Who will separate us? (Verses 31, 33, 34, & 35, respectively) Each is answered, but verses 37-39 give a joyous and thunderous reply. I feel that Paul starts with the “no condemnation” (8:1) and gets on a roll. By the time he gets to the end of the chapter he has built a crescendo. (Read verses 38 and 39 and try to stay calm.)

I can imagine Paul pacing around the room as he dictates this part of the letter. Up to this point Paul has been logical, laying out the message methodically in chapters 1 through 7. The pacing becomes faster as he continues in this chapter. By the time he gets to “I am convinced...” he stops with his hands and face raised in praise, speaking loudly and rapidly. He finishes with “Christ Jesus our Lord”, eyes closed, arms raised in prayer, and basks in the glory of Christ. I wouldn’t be surprised if a tear rolled down his cheek at the pure joy of knowing Jesus has done it all for us. (I get a little choked up just reading what he wrote!)

V. 31 - “What shall we say...” - Having made the previous statements, starting with “no condemnation” through “predestined”, “called”, “justified”, and “glorified”, what more could be said?

“If God is for us, who is against us?” - ‘Nuff said! The capper. We are God’s own. We are in Jesus. All that He has, we have also! Looking back at Moses’ last message, “Be strong and courageous... Be strong and courageous... Do not fear... I the Lord am with you...” (See: Deut. 31:6, 7, 23) God also encourages them through Joshua and David (See: Josh. 1:6, 7, 9; Psa. 31:24) The exhortation continues in the NT: (1 Cor 16:13; 2 Cor 13:9; Eph. 6:10; 2 Tim. 2:1)

There will be someone who notes there may be many who oppose us! Haven’t we been warned that we will suffer persecution because our Savior suffered persecution? We will be hated because Jesus is hated. (John 15:18)

V. 32 - “He... did not spare His own Son” - God did not spare Himself. (Jn 3:16) This is an answer to the question in verse 8:31, “Who is against us?” Answer, “It doesn’t matter. The God of the universe spared NOTHING to bring us to Him. “

“How will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” - Do you think God will hold back anything? He has already freely given us eternal life in Jesus Christ. He has already forgiven our sin through Jesus Christ. Having given mercy to us (not payment for services provided), is it reasonable to think God would become miserly from this point forward? It is not.

V. 33 - “Who will bring a charge?” - The charge: you are a sinner, and are not worthy to be in God’s presence. Satan brings the charge. He is the accuser. (See: Rev. 12:10; Zech. 3:1; Job 1:11, 2:5; 1Pet. 5:8)

“God is the one who justifies” - None of us, believers and non-believers alike, can determine that we are righteous. We cannot claim we are acceptable to God - blameless and without blemish with any certitude beyond a reasonable doubt. There is no such thing as “almost perfect” in the presence of The King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Do not panic.

Jesus says of every believer, “This one is mine! I died for him. (I died for her.) My justification is his. My righteousness is hers.” The Father looks Jesus in the face, and agrees. Verdict: Justified!

At this point, all charges against us vanish. They are nothing because Christ has paid the price. How does this work? He, Jesus, has paid the price, has taken the punishment. His death and resurrection brings us into the light, and we can see we are saved because of His sacrifice. His vindication - resurreection from death - is our vindication. See: "I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication." (Micah 7:9)

V. 34 - “Who condemns?” - Satan is there willing you to reside with him in Hell. He leads other non-believers to convince you, others, even God that you are only worthy of condemnation.

“Christ Jesus... died... was raised... at the right hand of God... intercedes for us.” - This the same scenario as in verse 33, i.e., the false claim is smacked down. The cross and the resurrection are answer to any smear against the believer!

V. 35 - “Who will separate us?” - Can anyone, or anything stop the love of Jesus Christ being showered upon the believers? Whether natural disasters, or human caused, nothing physical or in the spiritual realms can keep God’s Love from us. We are destined for glory, Christ’s glory. We surrounded by the Love of Christ.

“Tribulation... distress... persecution... famine... nakedness... peril... sword” - A short list of possible problems you as a Christian could face. Some have nothing to do with your faith, but can happen to all humans. Some are directly related to your faith, directly related to the world hates that you live for Jesus. Note: It is most likely you will not be persecuted if you do not live for Jesus.

V. 36 - "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG" - This is a quote from Psalm 44:22, which is part of a plea to God. God has done so much for Israel, but when Israel rejected God’s commands they are punished by nations that God lifts up. If God does not support and sustain them, their weapons and strength are useless. Israel is ridiculed among the nations. Israel claims they do not deserve this punishment, this persecution. I think they are conveniently forgetting the golden calf (Exo. 32:4, Num. 11:1), the refusal to enter Canaan (Num. 13:22-14:4; Deut. 1:22-26), their refusal to cleanse the land (Joshua), the time of the judges (Jud. 2:11-19), in other words - their general disobedience.

That being said, their reputation as being God’s chosen made them targets of Satan’s ire and the focus of surrounding peoples.

“As sheep to be slaughtered...” - David and the people claim, “We didn’t deserve this. We’ve done nothing to warrant this.” God acknowledges persecution of the saints is undeserved. Just as sheep have no idea what or why this is happening to them, we can be equally confused. We are following the commands of Christ; why is this happening to the faithful?

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V. 37 - “In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer” - God want us to keep our eyes on the prize. I just watched an interview with one of the Tusckegee Airmen. He admitted there was racial persecution as he worked to become a fighter pilot in WWII. He said over and over again, “I kept my eye on the prize.” He wanted to fly, wasn’t going to let these things distract him.

For us: Jesus, God the Father, New Earth, New Jerusalem, God’s glory, Jesus’ glory, eternal life. These are ours. They will much more magnificent than anything wonderful we know now. Even more, the troubles will be bad, but they are temporary and pale in comparison to what awaits. Jesus conquered Satan and death. Jesus is waiting for us. Nothing can change God’s plan or purpose.

V. 38-39 - “will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - The big finish! I will not try to expand or expound on this. By itself - totally amazing! We are protected through God’s power. See: 1 Pet. 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

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End of Chapter 
Romans 8:1-39 (NASB)