Presented, October 18, 2004
ISRAEL’S REJECTION (1)
Romans 9:1-13
As we continue to study the Book of Romans tonight we begin a study of Paul’s final argumentative section in this book. Thus far we have noted: 1)The problem of sin and that all are guilty (1-3); 2) The Remedy for sin is found in God’s Grace through Christ Jesus as we respond in obedient faith (4 - 5); 3) Developing in Him as Paul answered numerous questions and reminds us of our service to Him, which involves our willingness to put to death the man of sin and to have His Spirit dwell within us (not miraculously or without freewill). In this 4th major point, Paul expresses his deep grief for Israel’s rejection (both of God and by God) and relates their need for the gospel just as the Gentiles need it (9-11). In coming lessons we will notice this section in detail.
Our lesson tonight will focus on the first part of chapter 9 which establishes God’s right to reject Israel as He implements His plan. This chapter is one that lends itself to false teaching if we are not careful. The true Calvinist might appeal to this chapter to justify unconditional election as it speaks of the sovereignty of God. But let is be understood, WHEN PUT IN CONTEXT, it is not dealing with individual election at all, but rather nations. IF ever there were a great example of the need to “rightly divide the word of truth”, this chapter is it, as context gives its real meaning, while pulling out individual thoughts can lend to false conclusions about God and us.
Paul’s desire in this chapter is to establish that God’s rejection of MOST of Israel (not all) is not contrary to His promises or His word. Rather it is a deserved response because of the way Israel has acted toward God. And IN FACT, as the promise to Abraham develops it is shown that not all of his seed will be a part of that promise. Let us notice this tonight.
I. Paul’s Desire for Israel (1-5)
A. Paul’s sincerity is demonstrated in vs. 1 – “I tell you the truth, I am not lying…”
B.
There was grief in Paul’s heart (2) – he realized
Israel’s lost condition and it truly stirred him.
Lesson: How do we feel about the consequences of sin in the lives
of others? What about our own loved ones? Does their lost condition tear at
our hearts?
Luke 19:41 records Jesus weeping over the doomed condition of Jerusalem.
Psalm 119:136 says, “Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not
keep Your laws”
C.
In vs. 3, Paul states an impossibility, yet it shows
the degree to which he would go if His countrymen could be saved – even to
cutting himself off.
Much like Moses who pleaded on behalf of Israel in Exodus 32:32 after they
sinned by making the golden calf.
D.
Vs. 4-5 describe the benefits Israel enjoyed
Paul’s is leading up to a point. There were blessings associated with being an
Israelite even though it was NOT the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan. These
include:
1. Adoption – of all the nations God could have chosen to fulfill His will, He chose Israel, much like one adopts a child. Exodus 4:22 – Moses was told to tell Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Israel is My son, My firstborn’”
2. The glory – God had glorified them in many ways and on many occasions He had manifested His glory to them – e.g. – Exodus 40:34 – when the tabernacle was erected, the glory of the Lord entered into it.
3.
The covenants – God made numerous promises that would
make Israel great.
For instance, He promised Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 in his seed all nations of
the earth would be blessed.
On one such occasion the Lord promised Abraham after a ceremony involving
sacrifice from which we have that great passage, Abraham “believed in the Lord,
and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)
He promised David (2 Samuel 7) his throne would be established forever
4. The giving of the Law- the advantage in this was a better understanding of God’s expectations. It also set Israel apart from the rest of the world.
5.
The service of God – I believe this to have reference
to the priesthood and worshipping God. The point being God gave them specific
instructions as to how to properly show reverence to Him and how to appease Him
because of sin.
While other nations worshipped gods and in ways that stirred Jehovah’s anger,
Israel had a clearer picture of how to invoke His favor.
6. The promises – Associated with the covenants were physical promises such as, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you” (Gen. 12:3) and establishing Israel as a great nation. BUT there were also messianic promises of a better Israel for the righteous, a SPIRITUAL Israel (cf. Galatians 3:16)
7.
The patriarchs through whom Christ came in the flesh –
In this statement, Paul ties together Israel’s advantage with the point he is
about to make concerning Jews and Gentiles as they stand before God.
Great and righteous men that were respected by all who believe in Jehovah God.
Men whom even the enemies of Jesus revered – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and
possibly David.
THE Old Law made promise of a coming Messiah that Israel highly anticipated
(Genesis 12:3; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Isaiah 7:14, 11:1-5). Every prophecy
concerning the Messiah was fulfilled in Christ, INCLUDING His lineage.
Physically the Jews could take pride that they had a part in this.
Truly, Paul’s statement in Romans 3:1-2, “What advantage has the Jew, or what is
the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly, because to them was
committed the oracles of God.”
8.
Concerning Christ Paul says He is, over all, the
eternally blessed God, Amen” (5). We understand as Paul does that Jesus has
“all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18) and He is the head over
all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22-23).
Yet in this text we find confirmed His deity as the expression could have
reference to Jesus as “the eternally blessed God” The scriptures teach of His
deity (John 1:1, 14), and John 8:58 where He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM”
II. Israel’s Rejection According to God’s Purpose (6-13)
A. Vs. 6 – “But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect”. Paul is saying that because some of Israel was rejected does not mean that God’s word has failed. Paul will explain that God NEVER promised that all of Abraham’s seed would be saved.
B.
Not all who are of Israel are Israel. Paul’s point
here is that not all physical descendents of Israel are the spiritual Israel in
whom there is hope.
There is some indication that many of the Jews, especially some of the leaders
believed they were superior to the rest of the world because they were of the
seed of promise. In other words, because they were Jews they were automatically
saved (Personally Elected) and that Gentiles had no hope. Concerning Israel,
Paul dispels this as false.
Galatians 3:7 says, “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of
Abraham”
Early on, Romans 2:28-29 clarified this as Paul spoke of the circumcision of the
heart.
Also Philippians 3:3 – we are of the circumcision…
C. NOR are they all children of Abraham (of the promise that is) because they are of his seed.
i.
Consider Isaac of whom God promised, “In Isaac your
seed shall be called”. From Genesis 21:12. Isaac had just been born and
Ishmael mocked and Hagar was jealous (some might say rightly so).
In this statement the Jews would understand that Abraham had other sons
including Ishmael who was 12 years older than Isaac and physically it could be
argued the rightful heir. BUT that was not God’s intent.
ii. Abraham also had many other children later in life after Sarah died. Genesis 25:1-6 mentions six more sons and other grandsons by Keturah, his second wife. Vs. 6 says he sent them away with gifts, but he gave all he had to Isaac (vs.5)
iii.
Jacob and Esau (10-13). Another example of the
promise not applying to all of Abraham’s seed as instructions are given to Isaac
and Rebecca concerning Esau and Jacob. (Genesis 25). They struggled within her
and she inquired of the Lord and was told she had twins and that the older would
serve the younger, contrary to tradition and custom of the day.
Vs. 13 quotes Malachi 1:2-3 where Israel which has returned from captivity is
reverting to their disingenuous ways. Malachi is sent to remind them that Jacob
was chosen over Esau. The fact that “Esau I have hated” does not mean there was
no hope for him, but simply where the promise was concerned, he was rejected.
iv. Why did God chose Jacob over Esau? Why was Isaac chosen over Ishmael? Because it was God’s will and as God He has the right!
D.
NOTE vs. 11 – a verse that refers to the election of
God. Some use this passage to teach that God chooses certain persons to be
saved and he chooses to condemn others and they have no choice in the matter.
We call this “unconditional election”. While God did make a choice here,
(with no bearing on how good either Jacob or Esau were because they were not yet
born and had not sinned), it was a choice only in reference to fulfilling His
promise to Abraham and for the hope of the world. NOTICE that this is not a
personal condemnation of anyone. This is not saying Esau could not be saved, or
that Ishmael had no hope. Their eternal destiny will be determined the same way
as ours – by their obedience to His will.
NEVER FORGET – the degree to which God elects is limited to establishing the WAY
one can be saved (according to the law you are under). He sets the pattern or
standard and it is up to us to follow it! IF this is not true, God is a
respecter of persons and unjust (Acts 10:34, Galatians 2:6 – “God shows no
personal favoritism”).
AND CONSIDER THIS: The election mentioned in this section and throughout this
chapter is to make salvation available to ALL men.
E. An interesting lesson to glean from this is how Paul uses scripture to establish fact. With careful examination of what the text of the Old Law actually says, Paul is able to disprove Jewish misconceptions.
Time will not permit us to adequately develop the remainder of this chapter so we will save that for our next lesson. In our next lesson, we will continue this thought by notice the rest of this chapter and God’s right to set the standard and to use man to accomplish His purpose. He also shows by quoting from the prophets that what has happened is actually what God planned all along.