Romans Nine Part One

(Romans 9:1-5 NASB) "I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness 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."

Paul begins the ninth chapter of Romans on a note of tenderness. He reveals the great sorrow he feels over Israel's condition before God. That condition was and remains grave, especially in light of her national election and privileged existence. Hers was the adoption as sons, the Shikinah Glory of God, the covenants, and the Law as given at Mt. Sinai. To Israel belonged the Temple service. Hers were the promises, the greatest of which was the promise of Messiah, the Christ who would come to save them from their sins. And come He did, He came to the Jews but they rejected and, in the end, crucified Him.

A look at both the Old and New Testaments will reveal a veritable plague of unbelief and rebellion among these incredibly blessed and privileged people. They have always fought against God and His Christ. They have always chosen the wrong way, the way of Idolatry, and legalism. They have always rejected salvation by grace through faith. Though they have been exposed to the gospel for centuries, only a small remnant of Jews has believed in Christ.

The question is, “Why?” Why have the chosen people of God rejected Him and His Son Jesus? What has gone wrong? Have the promises of God failed? Have His designs for Israel changed? Has He broken His covenant with this people? Has God cast them off completely and permanently for their sin? Paul’s answer to all these questions is no! God’s plan for Israel’s salvation was and remains right on track. Nothing is out of place. He has not broken His promises, rather, men have misunderstood them.

In the remainder of this chapter Paul will make clear to us why the greater part of Israel has not and will not believe in Christ. But before we hear Paul’s explanation, let’s read Galatians 3:16-29 which, will begin to turn our thoughts in the right direction.

"{16} Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his SEED. (God promised that Abraham would be the father a great nation and of many nations, that his offspring would be without number, and that all mankind would be blessed through him, a reference to the coming of Christ. Most believe that the promises, through Abraham, were made to his offspring according to the flesh, all Israel, but this text corrects such thinking. For . .) He does not say, "And to SEEDS," as referring to many, but rather to ONE, "And to your seed," that is, CHRIST. {17} What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. {18} For if the inheritance (That is, all the blessings promised to Abraham including the coming of Messiah and salvation by Him.) is based on law, (payment due for human performance) it is no longer based on a promise; (for a promise is gracious, unearned, and unmerited) but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. {19} Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until THE SEED should come TO WHOM THE PROMISE HAD BEEN MADE. (The Seed is Christ and it was to Him that the promise was made. Yes, it was spoken to Abraham but it was meant for ONE of his offspring, Jesus Christ the Lord.) {20} Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. {21} Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. {22} But the Scripture (the law) has shut up all men under sin, (The law reveals to sinful men that they are condemned before God and there is no escape. The law has shut up all men under sin . . .) that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. {23} But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. {24} Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. {25} But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor, (the law) {26} For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. {27} For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. {28} THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, (Gentile) THERE IS NEITHER SLAVE NOR FREE MAN, THERE IS NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE; FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. {29} And if you belong to Christ, THEN you are Abraham's offspring, HEIRS ACCORDING TO PROMISE."

According to these texts the Jews, along with millions of people in our day, have misunderstood the promises. The Jews believed that God’s promises had to do with them exclusively. But the scripture says that all kinds of men are included in the promises made to Abraham. Fact is, the promises were actually made to Christ and in Him there is no Jew or Greek. Everyone who believes in Jesus is an heir according to the promises God made to Abraham. This is Good News indeed! There are no Jews, Gentiles, slaves, free men, males, or females when it comes to salvation. God deals with all men graciously through faith in Christ. If you belong to Christ you are sons and daughters of Abraham the Jew. By faith in the Seed of Abraham, who is Christ, sinners become heirs of all the promises made to him and his descendants. His descendants then, are the elect from every nation under the sun who will, in time, come to Christ for salvation and forgiveness of sins. THESE ARE THE CITIZENS OF THE “TRUE ISRAEL” WHO WILL OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE.

God never promised the salvation of the whole Jewish nation. The promises were never confined to Israel, instead, they had to do with people from every nationality. So, we have the answer to the following questions. “Have the promises and plans of God failed?” “Has God's will for Israel been frustrated or has He changed His mind?” "No, a thousand times, No!" Rather, men have misunderstood what the Bible has to say about Israel.

Paul explains in Romans 9:6-8. "But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; {7} neither 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 (true) descendants."

The phrase, "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED," is key to understanding the issues at hand. Therefore, we must talk about Isaac and, his brother, Ishmael. Look with me at Genesis 17:15-21. "Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. {16} "And I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son BY HER.” Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall come from her," {17} Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" {18} And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael, (the child I created with my wife's handmaid), might live before Thee!" (let him be the child you speak of) {19} But God said, "No, but Sarah YOUR WIFE shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. {20} "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. {21} "But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, (The spiritual blessings, i.e., salvation, will belong to Isaac only,) whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year."

Isaac was to be a miracle child, a child of grace, produced entirely by God in spite of human impotence. Ishmael, on the other hand, was a child of the flesh, works, or human ingenuity. As we just read, Sarah and Abraham could not conceive because Sarah was barren and ninety. If they were to produce a child together it would have to be by a miracle of grace, mercy, and the intervention of God. It seemed as though this would never happen so Abraham offered God the boy named Ishmael. He was the product of a union between Abraham and Sarah’s handmaid, Hagar. “Let him be the child of promise”, said Abraham. But God said no. “I will establish My covenant with Isaac, the miracle child, not with Ishmael the child produced by man.”

As we will see, more and more clearly as the lesson unfolds, this all has to do with the way God saves sinners. He does not relate to men on the basis of works or effort. Rather, sinners must be born again from above by the power of God without any human contribution. The saved sinner is, therefore, a miracle child, like Isaac. God will not accept human works in exchange for ones salvation. For salvation is of the Lord, it is all of grace lest men should boast, robbing God of His glory. Therefore, or that is why, {8} . . . it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the PROMISE are regarded as (the true) descendants (of Abraham!)." Ishmael was a child of the flesh, Isaac a child of promise.

Both of these boys were sons of Abraham according to the flesh but God but He elected to save Isaac and not Ishmael. These two men represent and illustrate the two nations of Israel as well as the two kinds of people that exist in every nation. When I speak of the two nations of Israel I speak of the physical nation made up of all who are Jews by blood. But then there is a spiritual nation within the physical one made up of Jews who trust in Christ for salvation, the miracle children born from above. There is the elect nation and the elect unto salvation within that nation. This last group, represented by Isaac, is referred to as the remnant. (Romans 9:27 NASB) "And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL (according to the flesh) BE AS THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED."

There will only be a small portion of the greater nation brought to faith in Christ for salvation. “It is the remnant that will be saved,” always the remnant. Why, because all are not Israel who are descended from Israel. Ishmael was as much a son of Abraham as Isaac was but God chose Isaac and rejected Ishmael. Ishmael was a member of the physical nation but not of the spiritual one.

Only the miracle child, Isaac, would receive the promises and the fulfillment of the covenant. Only the miracle child and those born like he was born would be blessed with salvation. The flesh and blood connection to Abraham meant nothing otherwise, Ishmael would have been a recipient of the promises along with Isaac. It was the miracle children brought to life by the direct intervention of God who would be the recipients of eternal life. Hear again the words of Galatians 3:16 NASB. "Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, (as if speaking of all the physical offspring of this man) but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ." Also, Galatians 3:29 NASB. "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to PROMISE."

With this information we can come to the proper conclusion. Abraham became the father of a great nation in the physical sense, that is true, but the promise was made to only one of his offspring, his, "Seed", who is the Christ. Therefore, it is only as you believe in Him that you become "heirs according to the promise." It is only when God causes you to be born again, to repent of your sins, and to trust in Christ, that you become a true son of Abraham, an heir according to the promise, a member of the true Israel, a son of God. God never intended to save every single person in the nation of Israel but only those who trust in Christ, the remnant, the elect to salvation, the men and women who would be brought to faith by a miracle of grace.

(Galatians 4:22-31 NASB) "For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. {23} But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. {24} THIS IS ALLEGORICALLY SPEAKING: for these women are two covenants, one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; (Salves to the law, to sin, self, and Satan.) she is Hagar. (the mother of Ishmael) {25} Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. (The Jews were and remain slaves of the law since they depend on keeping it to find favor with God. Hagar represented the law that cannot save but only condemns and enslaves.) {26} But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. (What we have here are two Jerusalems. One is a slave to the law, the other is from above or spiritual. Two Israels, one made of flesh and blood the other a spiritual nation, born from above. A physical Israel enslaved to the law and a spiritual Israel free in Christ.) {27} For it is written, "REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN (Sarah) WHO DOES NOT BEAR; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND." {28} And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise, (of grace) {29} But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh (Ishmael) persecuted him (Isaac) who was born ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT, so it is now also. {30} But what does the scripture say? "CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, (Cast out all ideas of finding salvation by human effort.) FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN." (Grace and law, or human works, cannot be mixed. Those who seek justification with God on the basis of works will not be in heaven with those who trust in Christ by faith.) {31} So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman."

Ishmael was Abraham's son by human effort, reason, and wisdom. Therefore, God rejected him. Conversely, Isaac’s birth, was solely by grace not of works lest any man or woman should boast. Isaac was a miracle of God, the product of Divine creation. God alone was due the glory and the credit. Isaac, therefore, is a picture of the elect being born again from above by the work of God the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ. While, Ishmael is a picture of man presenting the works of his own hands to God for salvation. In Isaac the just shall live by faith. In Ishmael the sinner is dammed by the work of his own hands.

Here, beloved, is Divine Election. Here is God distinguishing between one Israelite and another. Some He left to pursue a righteousness of their own by trying to keep the law. Others He saved by raising them from spiritual death and giving them the gifts of faith and repentance. These would believe in the Seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ the promised Messiah and be saved. These and their Gentile counterparts are the real Israelites, the true sons of God, the true sons and daughters of Abraham. “Not all Israel is Israel.” {8} . . . it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the PROMISE are regarded as (the true) descendants (of Abraham)." God never intended to save all Jews, rather, He chose to deal with them exactly as He deals with all men, by sovereign, electing, grace!

These truths received great opposition from Paul's readers as they sometimes do today. So, he immediately launches into a lengthy defense and explanation of the doctrine of election. We will let a paragraph from J. I. Packer’s book, “Concise Theology” introduce us to Paul’s work.

"The verb "elect" means "to select, or choose out." The biblical doctrine of election is that before Creation God selected out of the fallen human race those whom he would redeem, bring to faith, justify, and glorify in and through Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:28-39; Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 1:9-10). This divine choice is an expression of free and sovereign grace, for it is unconstrained and unconditional, not merited by anything in those who are its subjects. God owes sinners no mercy of any kind, only condemnation; so it is a wonder, and matter for endless praise, that he should choose to save any of us; and doubly so when his choice involved the giving of his own Son to suffer as sin-bearer for the elect (Rom. 8:32).

The doctrine of election, like every truth about God, involves mystery and

sometimes stirs controversy. But in Scripture it is a pastoral (comforting) doctrine, brought in to help Christians see how great is the grace that saves them, and to move them to humility, confidence, joy, praise, faithfulness, and holiness in response. It is the family secret of the children of God. We do not know who else he has chosen among those who do not yet believe, nor why it was his good pleasure to choose us in particular. What we do know is, first, that had we not been chosen for life we would not be believers now (for only the elect are brought to faith), and, second, that as elect believers we may rely on God to finish in us the good work that he started (I Cor. 1:8-9; Phil. 1:6; I Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:18). Knowledge of one's election thus brings comfort and joy. " J. 1. Packer,

(slightly modified for clarity.)

The doctrine and fact of Election is what explains Israel’s past and present rejection of Christ. Paul’s first attempt at proving this is found in his discussion of Abraham, Sarah, Ishmael, and Isaac, which we have just discussed. Ishmael was rejected and Isaac was accepted.

Now we consider His dealings with two other people, Jacob and Esau. {10} And not only this, (Not only does the story of Sarah, Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac illustrate the truth and fact of Divine Election) 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, (There was no moral difference between the two infants. They were both sons of Adam and Eve, and, therefore, sinful by nature. But neither of them had COMMITTED any sin whatever. These were innocents as concerns the practice of sin.) {11} for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad in order that God’s purpose according to His choice (KJV uses the word election.) might 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." Here is God exercising His prerogative to do with His creation as seemed best to Him. Each of these men had a place in God’s unfolding plan but each had a different place and function in that plan. (More about this later.)

Not only did God determine that the elder would serve the younger He revealed what His disposition would be toward each of these unborn men as concerns salvation. He would love and, therefore, save Jacob. He would hate and, therefore, leave Esau to perish in his sin. Here is God making a distinction between one person and another for no reason except that the choice suits His eternal purpose. Paul is careful to make clear that God's choice of one person over another has nothing to do with the person's behavior or character. For God's determinations about these two people were made before they ever had a chance to do anything good or bad. The election of grace finds its basis and motivation in God, not in man. The saved are saved in spite of themselves not because of something God sees in them.

By these two illustrations Paul answers the questions, "Why had the vast majority of Jews rejected their own Messiah?” "Why have so few Jews and so few Gentiles believed in Jesus for salvation?” Or, more personally, "Why did God save me and not my neighbor?" The answer is, He never intended to save every man. Before the foundation of the world, says Ephesians one, God chose to save a portion of mankind, a remnant. He chose them in Christ and will bring about their rebirth, giving them the faith by which they will trust in Christ and be saved. His choice of these individuals was not based on their moral condition or behavior. For when the choice was made they had done nothing good or bad. They were yet in the womb of non-existence.

Paul wants us to understand the reality, the fact, and the glory, of Divine Election. This is how sinners are saved from the wrath to come. God chooses and then calls the sinner who, by grace, believes in Christ and is saved. To God be all the glory!

The various components of salvation are set before us in John 1:12-13 NASB. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, {13} who were born (again) not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

Sinners do and must receive Christ. They must take Him by faith for what and who the Bible says He is. They must receive Him as Lord, Savior, and God. Secondly we are told that sinners must believe in His name. If you are to be saved from the coming wrath of God you must believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. You must obey the command with a promise. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”, that is the command, “And you shall be saved,” that is the promise. Refuse to receive Him, refuse to believe in Him and you will be eternally lost. Those who receive Christ and believe in Christ become the sons of God. However, John moves quickly to give credit where credit is due.

Lets read the text without interruption. John 1:12-13 NASB. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, {13} who were born (again) not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

If you are a Christian today you are a miracle child. A sinner saved by the merciful intervention and power of God. You must give all credit and glory to Him. For you have been brought into being by a Sovereign act of our Gracious God in spite of your impotence and helplessness. Salvation does not come to pass because of the exercise of man's will. Rather, men are made willing by the exercise of God's eternal, electing, merciful and, all-powerful grace! Then, and only then do men receive and believe in Christ. However, God does not choose to bestow saving mercy on all men. For He says, “Jacob I loved but Esau I hated.”

It's about here that men generally cry, "FOUL!" "It is unfair for God to save one and not the other". "How dare He love one and hate another." "This God of yours is unjust!" God the Holy Spirit deals with such objections beginning with verse fourteen.

{14} What shall we say then? (That is, in light of God choosing Isaac and not Ishmael, Jacob and not Esau. How shall we respond?) 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."

What do you think of this statement? “IS THIS ALL RIGHT WITH YOU?" "IS IT ALL RIGHT WITH YOU, THAT GOD BESTOWS HIS MERCY AND COMPASSION, HIS SALVATION, ON WHOM HE WISHES AND WITHHOLDS IT FROM WHOM HE WISHES? Is this all right with you? Or, will you accuse God of not being fair? Will you drag Him into court to accuse Him of sin? Dare if you will, it will change nothing. When you have pitched your little fit and vented your anger this text will remain the same. "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." {16} So then it (The word “It” has to do with the election of sinners unto eternal life and the application of the same in time. "It". . .) does not depend on the man who wills (Salvation is often said to depend upon the exercise of man's will, God says just the opposite, "it does not depend on the man who wills.") or the man who runs, (performs works of supposed righteousness in order to find acceptance with God) but on God who has mercy."

Salvation from beginning to end depends on God having mercy on dead, helpless, undeserving, impotent, sinners. God has chosen to save a portion of hell bound humanity for His glory and their good. But He saves them without their involvement in accord with mercy and Divine compassion. When He has done His work, when He has caused the sinner to be born again, that sinner will exercise the faith given to him and come to Christ.

One good man said this. "The question behind this paragraph is a question of God's fairness. If He only chose some to be the heirs of promise, and not others, people will say He is unfair. Paul had just reminded his Jewish readers that God sovereignly chose Isaac above Ishmael and Jacob above his twin brother Esau before they were born (Rom. 9:16-13). They were not chosen or rejected because of who they were or would be or because of what they had done or would do, "but because of Him who calls" (v. II), that is, wholly on the basis of God's sovereign will. Isaac and Jacob were "the children of the promise" (v. 8); Ishmael and Esau were not. So, in the sense of spiritual salvation, God has chosen some to believe.”

But how can God elect one person and reject another before they are even born? In a democratic society where all people are considered equally deserving the ideas of election and predestination are repulsive and unacceptable. These doctrines, it is claimed, could not possibly characterize a God who is truly just and righteous. The starved for truth Christian often says, “God simply could not do such a thing!” The unbeliever declares that, “A God like that would not be worthy of recognition, much less worship.” Nevertheless, ladies and gentlemen, the words of God remain, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." Is this alright with you?