Great Hope for True Israel ROMANS Great Hope for True Israel Romans 9:1-13 Laying a solid foundation Paul J. Bucknell

An Outline of the Book of Romans Overview of Romans An Outline of the Book of Romans A. Righteousness Revealed: Gospel (Rom 1:1-17) B. Righteousness Obsolete: Sin (Rom 1:18-3:20) C. Righteousness Made: Justification (Rom 3:21-5:21) D. Righteousness Attained: Sanctification (Rom 6-8) E. Righteousness eNlarged: Worldwide (Rom 9-11) F.  Righteousness Spread: Service (Rom 12-16) 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

A) God is Just (Romans 9:1-5) * God’s condemnation justly comes upon all who are not in Christ, even if they have the promises of God. 9:1 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. Acts 21-27 Paul’s sorrow (9:1-2) Paul has “great sorrow” (1-2) Tragedy replaced glory (3) “to whom belongs” Great compassion (3) “accursed” Moses’ Intercession 31 Then Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. 32 But now, if Thou wilt, forgive their sin--and if not, please blot me out from Thy book which Thou hast written!” 33 And the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. (Ex 32:31-33).

A) God is Just (Romans 9:1-5) 9:3 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. God’s favor (9:3-5) Adoption as sons: Redemptive event “Sanctify to Me every first-born…it belongs to Me” (Ex 13:1-2).) “Is not He your Father who has bought you? He has made you and established you” (Dt 32:6). Glory (glory of God’s presence and Word) Covenants (e.g. Noahic, Mosaic) Giving of the Law (Revealed in the Pentateuch) Temple service (The temple was in Jerusalem) Promises (e.g. Can pray and find God’s help–2 Chr 7:14 “If my people…) Fathers (Privilege of having ancestors like Abraham, Jacob, David) Christ according to the flesh (Christ is the long awaited Messiah)

A) God is Just (Romans 9:1-5) 9:5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. Two powerful theological statements (9:5) Was Christ human? Christ became human (countering the growing Gnostic cult which considered the flesh evil). Was Christ divine? Christ was God, and not just a subordinate of God (counters Arianism and Jehovah Witness). Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. “It is clear from this passage that Christ is the God who is over all. The one who is over all has nothing over him, for Christ does not come after the Father but from the Father.”–Origen (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, Vol VI, (IVP) p. 246.)

B) God is Faithful (Romans 9:6-13) * God is always faithful even if ‘His people’ do not believe. 6 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 descendants. 9 For this is a word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.” 10 And not only this, 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, in order that God’s purpose according to His choice 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.” God is faithful. God’s Word did not fail. (6-7) Inconsistent? No!“But it is not as though the word of God has failed.” (6) Faithful! “For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel.” (6) “Through Isaac your descendants will be named” (7)

B) God is Faithful (Romans 9:6-13) 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 descendants. 9 For this is a word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.” 10 And not only this, 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, in order that God’s purpose according to His choice 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.” God is selective (7-12) “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:11-12). Selective (7-9). God chose Isaac’s descendants for spiritual blessing rather than all of Abraham’s children (Ishmael Gen 21:13). Timing (10-12). Even before Isaac’s twins were born, the LORD chose to bless (or love) Jacob rather than Esau. Salvation by faith (11). We are not chosen because of pious works but simply due to God’s gracious choice, “not because of works, but because of Him who calls” (11).

Great Hope for True Israel ( Rom 9:1-13) Summary Paul affirms that God is just and faithful but at the same time he furthers His purpose, establishing the Gentiles as part of the new people of God – the true Israel. Discussion questions Do you think Paul’s compassion, his willingness to go to hell for others, is appropriate or excessive? Are you compassionate? Are you part of God’s people? What assures you of this? What does it mean for you to be part of true Israel (9:6 “For they are not all Israel…”)? What similarities does this have with the church?

Great Hope for True Israel ROMANS Great Hope for True Israel Romans 9:1-13 Laying a solid foundation Paul J. Bucknell