Paul's Letters Romans

God Fulfills His Promise

Discover Jesus as: Justifier Romans 9 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 495 of 730
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INTRO

It has been a great week, and I am excited to teach through these next chapters in Romans. In Romans 9—11, Paul discusses the future of Israel. These chapters are all about how God still has a plan for the Israelites. Some people today will discredit that God still has a plan for Israel. The church has not replaced Israel. God still has a plan for Israel and for the Jewish people.

I am going to discuss all three chapters but will break down chapter 9. Warren Wiersbe identified three things that paint a picture of Romans 9—11: “The emphasis in Romans 9 is on Israel’s past election, in Romans 10 on Israel’s present rejection, and in Romans 11 on Israel’s future restoration.”1 If you only focus on one of these chapters, you are going to miss the big picture.

At the end of Romans 8, it says God has a plan for believers. Nothing can separate God’s people from His love. If that’s true, you have to wonder about the Jewish people, who have rejected His Son. I want to walk through some characteristics of God to show you once God says something, He means it.

TEACHING

Romans 9:1-3: First, we will talk about “God’s faithfulness.”2 God is going to keep His promises. He means what He says. When the Holy Spirit is taking over, the conscience can be trusted. Paul communicated his feelings of sorrow and anguish; his deep pain. Paul was willing to go to hell if it would benefit or save his brothers. We know it’s not possible, but Paul’s heart is completely for the Lord and His people that he would give up everything for them.

Romans 9:4-5: Paul begins to describe all the promises to the Israelites. MacArthur breaks down the realities of the Israelites:

  • Israelites: “The descendants of Abraham through Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28).”3

Adoption: “Not in the sense of providing salvation to every person born a Jew, but sovereignly selecting an entire nation to receive His special calling, covenant, and blessing, and to serve as His witness nation (Exodus 4:22; 19:6; Isaiah 46:3-5; Hosea 11:1).”4

Glory: “The glory cloud that pictured God’s presence in the Old Testament was with the Israelites. His glory was supremely present in the Holy of Holies in both the tabernacle and the temple, which served as the throne room of Yahweh (Exodus 16:10; 24:16-17; 29:42-43; Leviticus 9:23-24).”5

Covenants: “A covenant is a legally binding promise, agreement, or contact. Three times in the New Testament, the word covenants is used in the plural. All but one of God’s covenants with man are eternal and unilateral—that is, God promised to accomplish something based on His own character and not on the response or actions of the promised beneficiary.”6 There were six covenants with man:

Covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8–17)

Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3)

Covenant of law given through Moses at Sinai (Exodus 19—31; Deuteronomy 29—30)

The priestly covenant (Numbers 25:10-13)

Covenant of an eternal kingdom through David’s greatest Son (2 Samuel 7:8–16)

The new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 37:26; Hebrews 8:6–13)7

All but the Mosaic covenant are eternal and unilateral. Because of Israel’s sin the Mosaic covenant was messed up, but it has been replaced by the new covenant (Hebrews 8:7–13).

Service: The temple service “refers to entire sacrificial and ceremonial system that God revealed to Moses (Exodus 29:43–46).”8

Promises: “Probably this refers to the promised Messiah, who would come out of Israel, bringing eternal life and an eternal kingdom (Acts 2:39; 13:32–34; 26:6).”9

Romans 9:5: The Messiah was a physical descendant of the ancestor of the Jews. There are religions that claim Jesus is the son of God, but not God; verse five clearly states Jesus is God over all. It does not get any clearer than that. Jesus is God in human flesh. Why do we celebrate and encourage Jews? Because the Messiah came from them.

Romans 9:6-8: The Word of God had not failed. Paul wrote, “For not all who are descendants of Israel are Israel.” This is because Abraham had a child with his wife’s maid Hagar, who carried his son Ishmael. But that was not God’s plan. Thus, not all the descendants of Abraham are part of God’s plan. MacArthur wrote, “Just as not all of Abraham’s descendants belonged to the physical people of God—or national Israel—not all of those who are true children on Abraham through Isaac are the true spiritual people of God and enjoy the promises made to Abraham’s spiritual children.”10

Romans 9:9-13: God’s promise went through Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob. MacArthur wrote, “God’s choice of Jacob resides solely in His sovereign plan, a perfect example of election unto salvation.”11

Romans 9:14-18: These verses look at “God’s Righteousness.”12 God determines who He will show mercy and compassion to.

Romans 9:19-29: These verses look at “God’s justice.”13 All this is based on God’s election. His righteousness and faithfulness. I know we are flying through this, but God patiently waited to demonstrate His wrath, make His power known, and put the riches of His glorious mercy on display. Then Paul uses verses from the book of Hosea to show that God was going to pour out His love onto the Gentiles. However, this does not mean that God is done with the Jewish people.

Romans 9:30-33: These verses focus on “God’s grace.”14 Israel stumbled over the Messiah. Because of Israel’s rejection, you and I, the Gentiles have an opportunity for salvation.

CLOSING

The fact that the Jews stumbled over the Messiah, over the cross, does not negate the fact that in the past Israel had been elected. This is because it doesn’t change who God is. He is faithful, righteous, and pours out His justice and grace. Because they stumbled, we have a chance to hear the gospel. Tomorrow we are going to unpack what that looks like for Jews and Gentiles.

  1. Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Exposition Outlines on the New Testament (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1989), p. 542.

  2. Wiersbe, p. 543.

  3. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 1535.

  4. MacArthur, p. 1535.

  5. MacArthur, p. 1535.

  6. MacArthur, p. 1535.

  7. MacArthur, p. 1535.

  8. MacArthur, p. 1536.

  9. MacArthur, p. 1536.

  10. MacArthur, p.1537.

  11. MacArthur, p.1537.

  12. Wiersbe, p. 543.

  13. Wiersbe, p. 544.

  14. Wiersbe, p. 545.

Questions

  1. Romans 9:8 speaks about being children of God. What are the differences between children of the flesh verses children of God? What promise is being spoken? (Genesis 12:7; Galatians 3:16)
  2. When you read Romans 9:17, do you think it means God placed Pharaoh in power just to harden his heart for God’s people to be set free? (Exodus 4:21)
  3. Why do you think God would lay a stumbling block in Romans 9:33 (Isaiah 8:14–15; 28:16)? Have you ever been tripped by a stumbling block? What did you do about it?
  4. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Romans 9 through the reading or the teachings?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Romans 9:23–24

“And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory on objects of mercy that He prepared beforehand for glory— on us, the ones He also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?”

From the beginning, the Lord had a plan for the people of Israel— adoption by God, His presence with them, the covenants, the Law, the Temple service, and the promises. The Lord has shown His faithfulness, justice, righteousness, and graciousness to the people of Israel. Even so, they stumbled over the stone, the Living Stone, Jesus. They missed Jesus as their Messiah. Consequently, they continue to live under the law and not in the grace the Lord had for them. Despite all that, God remains in control. God continues to pour out His mercy even when His people do not follow His will. He is in charge, and His character remains consistent—He will fulfill His promises.

God is working in ways beyond what you can see to display His greatness, both with Gentiles and Jews. What is the Lord doing through you today? Can you miss exactly what God wants to do? Perhaps, but by faith, believe in the God of mercy, love, justice, righteousness, and grace. His plan will come forth. As you walk with God, you can’t mess up with Him. He has a patient love. He is with you and for you. Trust His plan will come forth.

“And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory on objects of mercy that He prepared beforehand for glory— on us, the ones He also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?”

— Romans 9:23–24

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Romans 9:4— “They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises.”
  • Romans 9:32–33— “Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written: Look! I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over and a rock to trip over, yet the one who believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
  • 2 Peter 3:9— “The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.”