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This is a sermon based on Romans 9:1-29. It is part of a series of messages on the Epistle to the Romans.
Written Excerpts:
Introduction:
We are ready to launch not only
into a new chapter in our study of Romans, but we are launching into a new
division in our main theme that began back in the first chapter, i.e. the
righteousness of God. This new division will not only take us through chapter 9, but
it will carry us through chapters 10 and 11. It is represented on the outline by
V. God’s Righteousness Is Revealed thro’ His Sovereign Choices.
I will admit from the start that
these three chapters are some of the most difficult to interpret and properly understand
in all of Paul’s writings. (In this regard, they fit in with the closing verses
of chapter 8.) Peter mentions in his epistle “… our beloved brother Paul… has written to
you, as also in all his epistles… in which are some things hard to understand,
which untaught and unstable people
twist to their own destruction, as they
do also the rest of the Scriptures.” 2
Peter 3:15-16 (NKJV)
Consequently, because of the difficulty in grasping the truths presented
here, I am sure that I will not be able to anticipate or answer all of the
questions that may arise in your minds while we are discussing this section. So let me say, if you have a question come up in your mind that I do not
sufficiently address, please let me know and we’ll try to work out a time to
tackle it through more in-depth discussions than what I am able to do here in
the larger setting.
As we move into chapter 9, we
need to understand that Paul is “changing gears” a little and is addressing an
issue that he assumes has come up in the minds of his Jewish readers. Much earlier in the letter, Paul
emphasized the fact that salvation is by faith and not through works or through
the law. He has stated that salvation has been extended to the Gentiles as well
as the Jews.
Many writers believe that Paul
now turns his attention specifically to the Jewish readers in his “audience”
because (a) they may feel that he has disregarded or abandoned his own
countrymen/nation, and (b) they may feel that God is obligated to them because
of the promises and covenants made with their forefathers.
So Paul turns to address these
matters and show that his heart and soul is burdened for his people, but he
also explains and defends the ways and purposes of God as He operates within
human history.
One of the main topics that
comes up in this section is the subject of “predestination” or “election.” It is the opinion of some
theologians, because of their interpretations of these chapters, that God
decreed in eternity past who would be saved and who would be lost. They come to
this conclusion because of their understanding of what it means to say that
“God is sovereign,” and what it means to say that salvation is “by grace
alone.” I not only disagree with this
conclusion, I think it does terrible damage to the understanding of the nature of God as defined in
the scriptures.
I would like to preface our
examination of these chapters by making the following distinctions about
election or predestination:
(a) God decrees that “everyone
who believes the gospel is elected to salvation through grace.” He does not
elect some to be eternally saved and the rest to be eternally lost. (And, as we
pointed out in chapter 8, God already knows who will be saved or lost, but His
knowledge doesn’t cause their choice
to accept Him or reject Him.)
(b) God also elects some
individuals and/or collective groups (such as nations) for certain roles of
service in His divine plan, while others are not elected for service. This has
no bearing on their personal eternal salvation.
(c) Somewhat related to (b),
When God elects nations or groups it does not mean that the individuals within
that group are either eternally saved or eternally lost.
Paul’s discussion through these
chapters is still centered on the fact that salvation (justification) is by faith.
Having said all this, lets turn
our attention now to the Word and see what God would say to us for our
spiritual benefit and growth.
A. Israel’s history illustrates God’s sovereign choices. (9:1-29)
As I mentioned a moment ago, I
do not believe that this passage of scripture teaches that God elects some
people to be saved, while he elects others to be lost. Yet, I do believe that
Paul wants us to understand that God has the right and the sovereign authority
to work with nations and with people to fulfill His divine purposes. He doesn’t have to follow our
inclinations or our limited human understanding of the way things “ought” to
be.
i. Paul expresses sorrow over wasted
opportunity. (1-5)
“great sorrow…grief” – In this
life, there are few things that are more sad than missed opportunities and
blessings we could have enjoyed.
“could wish” – hypothetical, if
it were possible; probably hyperbole.
“according to the flesh” –
compatriots, fellow-countrymen, etc.
“the adoption…” – the nation had
been the recipients of some of the most unbelievable privileges.
“Christ came” – the nation had
“produced” the Messiah (by God’s design and purpose) who is “God blessed
forever” or “the eternally blessed God.”
ii. God’s choices harmonize with His Word. (6-13)
With what Paul has said in
previous chapters about God offering salvation to the Gentiles, and the
implications that God had bypassed the Jews, Paul anticipates the next
objection.
“Well then, doesn’t this show
that God hasn’t kept His Word?” No, in fact, God does keep His
word and this is the proof…
Not all Israelites (descendents
of Abraham) are actually children of God’s promise to Abraham. Ills – Ishmael
vs. Isaac; Jacob vs. Esau.
“Older…serve younger;” “Jacob I
have loved… Esau…hated” – Does not have anything to do with individual
salvation. (In fact, several Bible scholars are of the opinion that Esau may
have been saved, as evidenced by the change in his behavior when he actually
met Jacob returning to the land
of Palestine
These quotes definitely refer to
two nations, just as God originally
said to Rebekah before the sons were born (Gen. 25:23) and they definitely do
not refer to individual salvation. Esau did not personally serve Jacob, but the
people of Edom
were later servants to Israel
The second quote is taken from
Malachi 1:2-3 and refers to the fact that God had shown mercy and love on the
descendents of Jacob and He had brought judgment on the descendents of Esau.
This was because of their acceptance by faith or rejection of God’s will, which
God already knew would happen before the patriarchs were ever born.
Wow, what amazing knowledge and
sovereignty God has over all His creation!
iii. God’s choices
harmonize with His character. (14-18)
Next, Paul answers the possible
accusation that what he has been saying somehow impugns the character of God.
“Is God actually unrighteous
after all?”
“I will have mercy…” – quote is
from Ex. 33:19 referring to special privileges to Moses (“please show me your
glory”). The people had already been pardoned when Moses makes this request. (Reasoner)
Paul may have been using these
quotes, which originally did not refer to individual salvation, in order to
illustrate a point about salvation. But the point is this, when individuals
choose not to seek righteousness in God’s way (by faith) then they will be
rejected.
And if they do not obey Him in
faith, they will be bypassed in God’s dealings with humanity.
“…mercy on whom he wills, and
whom He wills He hardens.” – Election for “service” to fulfill God’s plan of
deliverance for the Israelites. (If we check the original narrative in Exodus, we will find that Pharaoh hardened his own heart before God did
it.)
Applied to salvation, we already
know and can say on authority of Scripture that He sovereignly chooses to have
mercy on all those who call on the name of the Lord, and He brings judgment on
all those who reject God and refuse to trust and obey.
iv. God’s sovereignty is defended and
illustrated. (19-29)
“Why does he still find fault? Who has
resisted His will?” – Again, this is not specifically talking about election
unto salvation, but unto service. The examples provided were individuals /
nations God used to accomplish His overall plan for bringing redemption to the
world.
We do acknowledge that parts of
this section do refer to salvation but not in the sense that God decides who
will be saved and who will be lost, but in the sense that the privileges of receiving
God’s truth and promoting the truth will be taken away from some and given to
others so that ultimately more people will hear the truth and be saved.
God has a right to use whom he
will and to reject whom he will, and it may never make sense to finite human
reasoning. We do not understand why God
chooses to use a more wicked and evil nation like Babylon
to bring judgment upon the nation of Israel
We do not believe that God is a
tyrant who capriciously uses and discards people at a whim. No, we believe God
is GOOD! But we are finite and that means we cannot always understand His ways.
Conclusion:
One of the clearest truths that I see in the passage we have covered
today is the fact that God is not obligated in any way to bless us, use us or
even save us. I have stressed the fact that these verses primarily speak about God
electing some individuals (or groups) for His service, while rejecting others.
This may or may not have determined their eternal destiny, depending on their
response of faith.
However, I believe that what the Bible teaches to be true about Israel Israel Israel
If I could just go back to verse 2 for a moment…. Sometimes my heart
aches when I think of the scores of people I have known over the years who have
squandered the privileges and blessings of God and have suffered a great deal
of heartache and pain as a result.
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