Sovereign Grace
Read Romans 9: 1-33.
The exultant expression of certain faith in union with God’s love in Jesus which Paul states at the conclusion of chapter 8 leads to a heartfelt wrench on the Apostle’s part. Why? Because of those who are rejecting this gracious gift. His kinspeople.
• List the blessings which have been afforded to the Israelites. (4-5)
• What do all these blessings tell us about God’s attitude toward them?
• Why would it seem that the Word of God has failed? (6)
• What misunderstanding does Paul seek to correct? (6)
• The children of Abraham and the children of Rebekah and Issac demonstrate a principle. What is it? (6-13)
• This principle is not isolated to the individuals in question. What else should we understand about God’s saving purposes? (7 & 13) See Malachi 1:2,3
• Why would this give rise to a question of injustice on God’s part? (14)
• Why is the reference to God’s mercy important to keep in focus? (15-16)
• What observation can we make about the wills of those that God hardens? Consider Exodus 9:33-35.
• Consider the question in verse 19. What is Paul’s answer?
• What is more confusing to your mind that some are not saved or that any are at all?
• This section is not about God’s relationship with the Jewish people alone, but recognises His saving intention for the Gentiles as well. Why reference them at this point? (24-26)
• What do we understand about God from these verses? (21-26)
• Is the situation regarding Israel really unknown to God’s promises? What do verses 27-29 indicate?
• What key aspect of all the blessing that Israel received has been misunderstood? (32)
• How does the salvation of the Gentiles demonstrate the error of that misunderstanding? (30-33)
Some notes.
I found it helpful to draw comparisons in the first question between the blessing which belong to the Jewish people and the blessings which belong to the church. Just as Jewish folk could possess these blessings and still not be part of God’s kingdom, so too can people who attend church not be part of God’s kingdom.
Yet all these blessings can be understood as a demonstration of great favour. We have hope that those who have been priveleged to enjoy these blessings may yet be part of the kingdom.
God’s word has not failed because God’s choice has always been sovereign. The true benefit of the blessings is great for those who are His, but possession of the blessings does not make one a part of the kingdom.
Abraham’s bloodline has never been a guarantee of being in God’s people. Ishmael is proof of that. Further proof is provided in the choice of the blessing continuing upon Jacob and not Esau.
It is interesting that Paul’s attention here is to peoples/nations not individuals. This is an important pointer to the corporate nature of salvation.
The reference to God’s mercy prompts us to view election from God’s perspective. None deserved to be chosen. That any are saved is amazing grace indeed. Wondering why others are not elected brings in considerations of merit that are alien to God’s reckoning here.
When God hardens wills there is no violence done to the person’s will. Pharoah hardened his heart, Pharoah’s heart was hardened.
There is really no answer to the question of why. God simply is and does, that’s why. Cf. the whole book of Job.
The incorporation of the salvation of the Gentiles does evidence the breadth and extent of God’s mercy being far beyond mortal understanding. But this has been God’s intent all along.
God’s Word has contained material that points to the very situation which grieves Paul’s heart.
The fallacy of believing salvation is by works is demonstrated by the salvation of the Gentiles, who not only lacked the glorious blessings of God mentioned earlier, but are saved by grace entirely without them.
Trust in Christ alone for salvation.
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