Daily Scripture
Romans 9:1-18
1 I’m speaking the truth in Christ—I’m not lying, as my conscience assures me with the Holy Spirit: 2 I have great sadness and constant pain in my heart. 3 I wish I could be cursed, cut off from Christ if it helped my brothers and sisters, who are my flesh-and-blood relatives. 4 They are Israelites. The adoption as God’s children, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the worship, and the promises belong to them. 5 The Jewish ancestors are theirs, and the Christ descended from those ancestors. He is the one who rules over all things, who is God, and who is blessed forever. Amen.
6 But it’s not as though God’s word has failed. Not all who are descended from Israel are part of Israel. 7 Not all of Abraham’s children are called Abraham’s descendants, but instead your descendants will be named through Isaac [Genesis 21:12]. 8 That means it isn’t the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children from the promise who are counted as descendants. 9 The words in the promise were: A year from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son [Genesis 18:10, 14].
10 Not only that, but also Rebecca conceived children with one man, our ancestor Isaac. 11 When they hadn’t been born yet and when they hadn’t yet done anything good or bad, it was shown that God’s purpose would continue because it was based on his choice. 12 It wasn’t because of what was done but because of God’s call. This was said to her: The older child will be a slave to the younger one [Genesis 25:23]. 13 As it is written, I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau [Malachi 1:2-3].
14 So what are we going to say? Isn’t this unfair on God’s part? Absolutely not! 15 He says to Moses, I’ll have mercy on whomever I choose to have mercy, and I’ll show compassion to whomever I choose to show compassion [Exodus 33:19]. 16 So then, it doesn’t depend on a person’s desire or effort. It depends entirely on God, who shows mercy. 17 Scripture says to Pharaoh, I have put you in this position for this very thing: so I can show my power in you and so that my name can be spread through the entire earth [Exodus 9:16]. 18 So then, God has mercy on whomever he wants to, but he makes resistant whomever he wants to.
Did You Know?
Some Christians see the Bible as a simple answer book—“I have a question—the Bible will tell me the (only) answer.” Romans 9-11 (like the Old Testament book of Job) shows that at times Bible writers raised big questions without offering simple answers. Pastor Hamilton quoted a Christian Student Fellowship study: “Romans 9 is one of the most provocative and most difficult sections of Scripture.”* Duke scholar E. P. Sanders wrote: “In Romans 9–11 one finds seven major assertions: (1) Despite appearances, God is just; (2) Israel was elect and remains so; (3) The election was always selective and never covered every descendant of Abraham; (4) Israel, at least at present, has ‘stumbled’; (5) God will save only those who have faith in Christ; (6) All Israel will be saved; (7) Everyone and everything will be saved…. These partially contradictory assertions ebb and flow in the chapters as Paul seeks solid ground.”** Paul wrestled with these issues. This week we will too.
Reflection Questions
The apostle Paul didn’t produce a detached, academic essay about predestination or the ultimate fate of Israelites. It was intensely personal, a source of concern and anguish. He believed with all his heart that Jesus was the anointed Savior the Hebrew prophets promised. Yet it broke his heart to see many more non-Jews than Jews accepting Jesus. And he knew that in Rome both Hebrew Christians and Gentile Christians sometimes felt superior to one another, so this issue mattered to them.
- Paul’s fervent words—“I have great sorrow… in my heart… I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people… the people of Israel” were like the prophet Jeremiah’s as he warned that Judah’s spiritual choices led to tragedy (cf. Jeremiah 8:18 – 9:1). Yet synagogue leaders, even former friends (cf. Acts 26:4-6) often attacked Paul for preaching about Jesus. How did Paul express God’s sorrow, rather than scorn or hatred, toward those who fought him? How can you grow more like him?
- “Israel” was a key word here. Paul wrestled with just who that meant, especially in verses 6-8: “Not all who are descended from Israel are part of Israel… it is the children from the promise who are counted as descendants.” How can you hold Paul’s idea that God’s choice never covered every physical descendant of Abraham in mind as you study his thinking about “Israel”? (NOTE: For a deeper study of verses 14-16, as well as Romans 8:29-30, view or review Pastor Hamilton’s Sept. 5 sermon at cor.org/sermons.)
Prayer
Lord Jesus, on your way to the cross you wept over stubborn Jerusalem (cf. Matthew 23:37). Your follower Paul wept, too, over those who refused you. Give me a heart like yours that yearns to reach everyone. Amen.
** Sanders, E. P., Paul: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (p. 139). OUP Oxford. Kindle Edition.
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Anguish: why did so few Israelites accept Jesus? - Leawood - Church of the Resurrection
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