Rom. 9:30-33 - Gentiles Gained Righteousness

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;
31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.
32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
33 just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

How Come the Gentiles Attain Righteousness?

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V. 30 - “What shall we say then?” - What does all this mean? What is meant by ‘not my people’ and then ‘my people’? (See: Rom 9:25-26) Paul here is saying, “Let me explain it to you.”

“Gentiles... attained righteousness... which is by faith” - This message was as true for Peter as it was for Paul. See Acts 11:15-18 “‘Then as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, as he used to say, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Therefore if God gave them the same gift as he also gave us after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder God?’ When they heard this, they ceased their objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted the repentance that leads to life even to the Gentiles." Peter was reluctant to accept Gentiles as Christians, or part of God’s family, because… they were Gentiles. All his life, as well as back into history, the Gentiles were reviled and rejected by the Jews. You would think that Paul trained as a Jewish leader, a Pharisee, would have agreed completely with Peter. Yet, by God’s grace and His power, Paul realized, almost immediately Gentiles were Jesus’s people if they accepted and believed in Him. Paul had a special desire to save the chosen people, and started almost every mission in a new town in a synagogue. If anyone would understand and accept Jesus as Messiah it would be those people who had waited for a thousand years. Paul did not shun or reject Gentiles because he saw that Jesus meant salvation for all.  

Look at Paul’s and Barnabas’ message: “Both Paul and Barnabas replied courageously, ‘It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ' “have appointed you to be a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” ‘ When the Gentiles heard this, they began to rejoice and praise the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed for eternal life believed. So the word of the Lord was spreading through the entire region.” (See: Acts 13:46-49.)

Gentiles received salvation by faith, and immediately became God’s own people. Jesus indicate we are His, and no one and no thing can take us from Him. (See: 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:15; Rom. 8:38-39) Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father's hand. The Father and I are one." (John 10:28-30)

V. 31 - “But Israel... did not arrive at that law.” - I too often jump straight to “salvation by works” when I hear “law”. However, James writes of “the perfect law of liberty” bringing peace and freedom in Christ. (See: Jam. 1:25) Jesus replied to the question about works -  that believing the one the Father sent, Jesus, is the only ‘works’ necessary. (John 6:28-29)

V. 32 - “Because they did not pursue it by faith,” - Why didn’t they accept Christ? Israel balked at accepting Jesus as Messiah, and were putting themselves in peril. Jesus warned them, "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.” (Matt 21:43)  It goes even deeper. It appears that the Jews did not come to God in faith under the Law, but came to Him by rote. They did what they were told, but did not receive it into their hearts. Look at the number of times the Israelites, especially in the southern kingdom, that the king and priests were following God and the nation prospered. It only took one bad king - and not a long-reigning king at that - and the people fall into abominable practices. The actions were there, but not the faith.

V. 33 - "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE,” - Quoted from Isa. 28:16. See also: Isa. 8:14; Zech. 10:4; Gen. 49:24 (a Messianic prophecy); Psa. 118:22; Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:6-8 .

Jesus is both the cornerstone of His body, the church and, the stone non-believer stumble over.  I have read in a commentary (don’t remember the source) that Jesus is the cornerstone of the church, but not the foundation. The foundation (per that writer) is the gospel taught by the apostles. Jesus being the starting point, the source and beginning of the church. Architectural designs for factories (or other large structures) always have a starting point (0,0 or zero-zero) which is usually a corner. Exterior walls, column lines, wall locations for rooms are referenced from  that point. The foundation is the good news of salvation  preached by apostles, that is, faith in Jesus Christ the starting point. We, the church, are built upon that salvation.

Please do not construe that I mean Christ is not our ALL-IN-ALL. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Christ is our only way to God, by faith in Him - the whole and complete support of our salvation. The apostles and the church today must build on that foundation to reach the world for Christ.

I am not quite sure of that line of thought (that faith in Jesus is a starting point with more for us to do to merit or received salvation), because Jesus is our all! “Salvation is found in no one else...” (Acts 4:12) He is more than a starting point (starting point for me implies there is more to be done after you make it past the starting point). He is the end as well as the beginning. He is the source of power. Without Christ there is no salvation. For me, that is far more than a starting point. The preaching of the gospel is how people learn about salvation through Jesus. The preaching is not the salvation. Learning about trusting in Him as Lord and Savior is not salvation, however necessary learning may be (it is necessary!). 

Trusting and believing in Jesus is salvation.

Jesus has the ‘last word’ for those who choose not to believe. Unfortunately (for the doubter, the atheist, the non-believer), God has given us the choice to accept or reject Jesus. People seldom reject the idea of living in a paradise, or reject being forgiven, or reject heaven, etc. They reject the idea they need Jesus. They reject that they can’t do it themselves; that they are dependent on some one (Jesus!) to pay for them. The scary part of this imagery regarding the stumbling stone is not that you might stub your spiritual foot on Him, and fall. How frightening to realize the person you reject will be the thing that crushes you. You reject Him; your name is not added to the Lamb’s Book of Life. That simple misstep on your part means rejection at the final judgement - in other words, eternity separated from God. You reject the stone, that stone crushes you. (Matt. 21:44)

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End of Chapter
Romans 9: 1-33

Rom. 9:22-29 - God’s Patience

22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?
23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,
24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.
25 As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.'"
26 "AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, 'YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,' THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD."
27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;
28 FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY." 29 And just as Isaiah foretold, "UNLESS THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY, WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH."

My People!

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In which Paul makes the case for Gentiles being God’s people, just as the Jews were God’s people. This paragraph is a continuation of the thought began in this chapter - God has chosen who will be saved by setting the conditions which must be met. God has chosen Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David. None of these people earned his way into God’s grace - He decided. He bestowed, by His mercy. Paul extends this line of reasoning to us.

V. 22 - “What if God...” - I want to think about this: Paul presents a case showing God’s patience and judgement in order to show that both Gentile nations and the Jews are a means to show His mercy to both Jews and Gentiles.

“although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known” - God is so patient with people who defy Him. He waits, and calls them to Him, encouraging them to return to Him.

• People decided they could be like God, until He destroyed the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:9). 
• Mankind refused to acknowledge God until He cleansed the world with the flood (Gen. 6:13ff). 
• Nineveh was godless and rebellious, until God sent a reluctant prophet and evangelist (Jonah). 
• Sodom and Gomorrah suffered destruction because there were no righteous people found there (Gen. 18:20ff). 
• God tolerated a defiant Pharaoh for a while, but demonstrated His power (Exo. 14:17-28).
• God was patient with the Israelites as they transversed the desert to the promised land. They rebelled at the border, and so wandered another 38 years until a new generation was willing to enter (Deut. 1:8-35). 
• Also there was the time of the Judges, the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the Assyrians, and Babylonians or Medes and Persians...

“endured with much patience” - Not once did God immediately destroy a nation, a people, or a person when they disobeyed or rebelled (OK. There was the incident with Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant. See: 1 Chr. 13:9) Look at the patience shown to Israel during the times of the Judges - 450 years of the cycle - rebellion, oppression, crying to God, a deliverer raised up, rest, repeat. God was patient with the Northern Kingdom, and then had them carted away by the Assyrians. God was patient with the Southern Kingdom, and the Babylonians were used to get their attention. A remnant returned to Jerusalem after 70 years in exile.

V. 23-24 - “Make known the riches of His glory” - It would have been so easy for God to wipe it all out, and start with a clean slate. Poof! It all disappears. Prang! A new universe. But that would not have been a demonstration of mercy, patience or forgiveness. There is no glory in destruction done in a fit of pique. There is no forgiveness there. God demonstrated mercy to the Jews by rescuing them from famine and destruction - they came to Egypt, being saved by the brother they had abused. Joseph was sold into slavery, but rose to power by the grace of God. Moses was spared the Pharaoh’s verdict of death, and went on to lead the Jews to Canaan. God was merciful to the rebellious and stubborn Israelites - ten (10!) incidents in which the Jews grumbled or rebelled against God and His authority (Exo. 5 through Num. 14). God delivered them from the Egyptians, the Amalekites, the Canaanites, Edomites, Midianites, etc.
God delivered the Jews from oppression to show His power and His glory to the world around.

“upon vessels of mercy,” - The Jews received the mercy shown in God’s power. Inanimate objects do not need mercy, nor do they rejoice in God’s glory. (I’m guessing that animals do not receive mercy, nor do they acknowledge or worship the Lord. I have no theological basis for saying this, other than no animals are mentioned as having a relationship with God.) The image of people being vessels is a good reminder that a pot, a crock or a pitcher do not seek to have stuff put in them. They are receptors of what is poured in.

“Even us, whom He also called,” - That is, we are the vessels. We likewise, do nothing to earn the mercy from God. It is poured upon us when we accept the gift of Christ Jesus. It is also important to note the Jews were called to be God’s own people as we are called to be Christ’s own, children of God. Look back to verse eight of this chapter: the children of God are those who accept and believe the promise. Physical birth comes to every one, spiritual rebirth does not. All of us are called to be one of His children, not all of us respond to the call.

“From among the Jews... also among the Gentiles.” - We know the Jews were called or chosen by God. The OT is the story of God and His people. Here Paul pivots from the Jews to the Gentiles. Paul was chosen by God to spread the gospel to the Gentiles. Just as the Jews were called by God to be His own, Christ has called us to be His own.

V. 25-26 - “I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, “MY PEOPLE,” - Quoted from Hos. 2:23, 1:6, and 1:10. The life of the prophet Hosea was an object lesson for the northern kingdom of Israel (the 10 tribes that split away after Solomon died). His wife, Gomer, was as faithful to him as Israel had been faithful to God. Hosea was instructed to name his children:
(1) A son “Jezreel” after an atrocity committed (Jezreel was the city where the last of king Omri's dynasty was destroyed - a whole city put to the sword!), what was about to happen to Israel was a disaster for them;
(2) a daughter “Lo-ruhamah” (‘no compassion’) because the Lord would show no compassion to Israel because of their infidelity; and
(3) a son “Lo-ammi” ('not my people') for God was declaring His divorce from Israel - He would not be their God, they would not be His people.

The message to Israel: The Gentiles were never called God’s own people. The Gentiles were not the children of the promise. They were never called His beloved people. It is not that God hated the Gentiles. Similar to the Jacob/Esau situation, the Jews were favored by God’s grace to be the light in the world and the vessel for the arrival of the Savior of the world. The Jews are blessed because of a promise made to Abraham, and based on that promise the Gentile are not. So here God is saying those who were not blessed (beloved) will be blessed! Those who were not His chosen people will be His. In fact, there is one step better - the Gentiles will be called Sons of God! That is a quantum leap, going from being outside to heirs of the Almighty God!

Look at Isaiah 65:1 - "I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, 'Here am I, here am I,' To a nation which did not call on My name.” Telling the Jews that He, God, is welcoming those who had not been called ‘His people’. You may ask, “Why is God doing this?” The answer is found in Isa. 65:2-5, where God lists nine (9) rebellious acts of His chosen people.

1. They are rebellious; 
2. Following their own thoughts; 
3. Provoking Him to His face; 
4. Offering strange sacrifices; 
5. Burning incense; 
6. Sit among graves (worshipping the dead); 
7. Eat pork; 
8. Eat unclean meat; 
9. Say they are holier than God! 

God’s answer is seen in Isa. 65:6-7. The behavior of His people has stoked a fire in Him that will not be quenched, and He will repay.

At the same time, see Isa. 65:8-25. He is going to produce a new heaven, a new earth, a new Jerusalem and His beloved - those who seek Him - will rejoice and be glad there. God will rejoice and be glad there.

V. 27-28 - “THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA..." - Quoted from Isa. 10:22-23. Because of their rebellion, the Jews will be decimated - only a remnant will remain with God. The promise is made to all Jews, yet only a few will benefit, will see His face. The result is similar for the Gentiles. Jesus died once for all (1 Pet. 3:18), but not all will benefit (See: Heb. 2:10; Matt. 22:14).

V. 29 -"UNLESS THE LORD OF SABBATH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY ..." - Quoted from Isa. 1:9. If not for God’s mercy, we would have all been wiped out. For the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is found in Gen. 18:20-19:29. Utter destruction, despite Abraham’s intervention. The evil was so great that in two huge cities, ten (10) righteous people could not be found.

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Rom. 9:19-21 - Why find Fault

19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?"
20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it?
21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?

Who Are You, O Man...

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V. 19 - “Why does He still find fault” - The cry in our culture is, “It’s not my fault!” Or, “It’s not fair!” Or, “That is too strict!” We want to define how we will be saved. If it is God’s decision and not ours, why blame us? These complaints almost completely miss the point.

The book of Job puts it succinctly: “Suppose someone says to God, 'I am guilty but will offend no more. Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.' Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.” (Job 34:31-33 [NIV])
The key is: shall God give you a kings-x because you choose to not accept or believe what He has told us? You admit that you’re not perfect, but you are ‘trying’. Besides, you’re not all that bad, are you? Surely He can overlook my ‘little white sins’. There is a simple problem with that way of thinking...

V. 20-21 - “who are you, O man, who answers back to God?” - You are deciding what is acceptable to God. You, who admittedly is imperfect, are telling a perfect God how to run His universe! We have the same right to tell God what to do as glob of clay can tell the artist what to make out of the clay. If you fold a paper airplane from a sheet of paper, you decide what form the plane will take. If you want to bake a pie, you decide whether it will be blackberry or apple. Neither the paper nor the fruit decides for you. If you have children, do they proscribe the parameters of their curfew, or the amount of their allowance? If they violate a family rule, do the children decide what the discipline will be? (I would hope not.)

In human terms: The government decides which streets are 25 mph speed limits, and which are 70 mph. You may choose to drive 70 in a 25 zone, but don't be surprised when you get a speeding ticket. God has set the parameters. You must decide for yourself; I cannot decide for you.

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Rom. 9:14-18 - It Depends on God

14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!
15 For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION."
16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH."
18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

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God’s Mercy and Compassion Shown

V. 14 - “There is no injustice with God, is there? “ - I think this NASB translation of verse 14 is mildly confusing. Other versions or translations eliminate the ‘double negative’ by putting it “Can we say God is unjust?” The answer to this rhetorical question is, “Of course not!”. One of the themes in scripture is that justice and righteousness dwell in the Lord. (See: Gen. 18:19; Job 37:23; Psa. 33:5; Isa. 15:5; Jer. 9:23, 24; Mic. 6:8, as a sample). God’s justice is not capricious, or unpredictable.

V. 15 -"I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY..." - Quoted from Exo. 33:19. It is part of a conversation Moses is having with God. (See also: Exo. 33:12-23.) Moses wants assurance that God is going to go with or before them. It is a good question because this is just after the golden calf incident. Moses does not want to go anywhere with these people unless God goes with them. Without God, how will anyone know that the Israelites are any different than any other nation on earth? God assures Moses He has chosen Israel and Moses to lead them. God will show His compassion and mercy on them because He has chosen them. The choice is based on the promise made to Abraham, and God will not change that promise.
Interestingly enough, God responds that it is His “goodness” that will be shown to Moses (and ‘Thy people”), not God’s glory. HIs glory would overwhelm, in fact it would slay anyone who sees because they are not ready. God’s grace and mercy (or compassion) once proclaimed will not be withdrawn. I tell you, we WANT to see His goodness toward us, His mercy toward us, His grace for us. These characteristics are part of the reason God sent His Son to take our penalty upon Himself.

V. 16 - “So then it does not depend “ - What is the “It” called out here? My salvation. My righteousness. My sanctification.

“On the man who wills or the man who runs” - My salvation does not happen by my exertion and effort, nor by my willing it to happen.

V. 17 -"FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU ..." - Quoted from Exo. 9:13-16. The event referenced is after the sixth plague has struck Egypt, and still the Pharaoh refuses to let God’s people go. Pharaoh is warned that he and all the Egyptians could be wiped out, but God is allowing Pharaoh to exist to demonstrate God‘s power to the whole world. Neither the Pharaoh’s actions nor his will power would have any impact on the outcome. God will free His people!
The connection is that it is God who saves us, not ourselves.

V. 18 - “He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.” - I do not think this is a Calvinist statement, in that God points you, you and you - (indicating salvation); and points him, him and her - (indicating condemnation). God does not capriciously choose who will or who will not be saved. God’s mercy is shown to those who accept Him (including Jesus, of course) because that is how He has decided it will be done. Those who reject the gift of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be hardened to the point of condemnation. His desire is to save all who believe. Those who reject Him will receive their just desserts.

From a commentary by Matthew Henry, concerning this verse: "The various dealings of God, by which he makes some to differ from others, must be resolved into his absolute sovereignty. He is debtor to no man, his grace is his own, and he may give it or withhold it as it pleaseth him; we have none of us deserved it, nay, we have all justly forfeited it a thousand times, so that herein the work of our salvation is admirably well ordered that those who are saved must thank God only, and those who perish must thank themselves only, Hos. 13:9. We are bound, as God hath bound us, to do our utmost for the salvation of all we have to do with; but God is bound no further than he has been pleased to bind himself by his own covenant and promise, which is his revealed will; and that is that he will receive, and not cast out, those that come to Christ; but the drawing of souls in order to that coming is a preventing distinguishing favour to whom he will. Had he mercy on the Gentiles? It was because he would have mercy on them. Were the Jews hardened? It was because it was his own pleasure to deny them softening grace, and to give them up to their chosen affected unbelief."
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Rom. 9:9-13 - Sarah & Rebekah

9 For this is the word of promise: "AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON."
10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;
11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,
12 it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER."
13 Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED."

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God’s Purpose Shown

V. 9 - “For this is the word of promise:' - Quoted from Gen. 18:10, 14. God had promised Abraham earlier he would have a son by Sarah (See: Gen. 17:5, 15-19). Both Abraham (17:17) and Sarah laughed (18:12) at the absurdity of two really old people having a child. Truly, Isaac was a miracle. “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (See: Gen. 18:14, compare to Luke 1:37)

V. 10 - “Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;” - See: Gen. 25:24.

V. 11-12 - “for though the twins were not yet born... God’s purpose according to His choice” - Pointing out the obvious - it was God’s choice, not because of any works the unborn children had done to earn the blessing.

“it was said to her, ‘THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.’ " - quoted from Gen. 25:23. Look forward to the advent of our Messiah: the father of John the Baptist and Mary and Jospeh were told their babies would be called by God for a purpose. (See: Luke 1:11-20; 1:26-38; Matt. 1:18-25) This is not too far to leap: John the Baptist was chosen by God to be a ‘voice in the wilderness’ a herald announcing the arrival of the Messiah. (See: Matt. 3:3; Luk. 3:4; Jn 1:23; Isa.40:3-5).

V. 13 - “Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." - Quoted from Mal. 1:2-3a. The book of Malachi is a soliloquy by God in which He lists 10 offenses the Israelites have committed against the Lord. He tells the Israelites they are loved. They demand to know when! God replies He chose Jacob over Esau - before they were born. These words - love and hate - in this verse express election and rejection, not emotional commitment.

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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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