1. Lesson 5

2. Romans 9:1-5 This is about Jews as a whole, not about those who are saved and part of the church. Jews: Paul was a Jew and had great sorrow for them Had the first adoption as being children of God God glorified them above the other nations God gave them His covenants and His law They had His temple and promises “Fathers” were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Christ is from Israel, but they rejected Him

3. Romans 9:6-13 God’s Word has not failed: His promises are still true He chose Isaac over Ishmael: Abraham’s sons He chose Jacob over Esau: Isaac’s sons Genesis 21:12 and 18:10 Isaac was the son of promise and the one the Lord chose to receive His promises Genesis 25:23; Malachi 1:2-3 God chose Jacob before the twins were born. Malachi was written after Esau and his descendants had proven to be godless people. “Love” and “Hated” indicate choice not emotion

4. Romans 9:14-18 There is no injustice with God. He is just in all that He does His choices are just He alone decides who He has mercy on It does not depend on man, but on God Example: Pharaoh

5. Pharaoh Exodus 7 – 11 and 14 Pharaoh’s heart was against God He was like one of the people in Romans 1:18-32 God saved Israel from His enemy Pharaoh God’s mercy is according to His choice Mercy depends solely on God. Mankind deserves hell, and yet God in His sovereignty chooses to extend mercy to some.

6. Romans 9:19-26 Why does God still find fault? Who resists His will? Answer: Who are YOU, O man, who answers back to God? The clay is not equal to the potter God demonstrated His power through Pharaoh (vs. 17) God demonstrated His wrath (vs. 22) God demonstrated His righteousness (3:25-26) God demonstrated His love (5:8)

7. Word Studies “Vessels” – skeuos – an object or a container. It was a common Greek metaphor for “body” since Greeks thought of souls living temporarily in bodies. Of persons, in a moral respect; referring to those on whom the divine wrath or mercy is to be exercised according to the purpose of the divine potter. (Zod) “Wrath” – orge – wrath, anger as a state of mind. Aristotle says that orge, anger, is desire with grief. Referring to divine judgment to be inflicted upon the wicked.

8. “Wrath” Romans 1:18 His wrath is revealed…. Romans 2:5 The unrepentant of heart store up His wrath for themselves Romans 3:5 God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous Romans 5:9 The justified are saved from God’s wrath through Christ God made known the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy prepared beforehand (9:23) Contrast: Vessels of wrath (9:22)

9. “Mercy” eleos – active pity; passing over deserved punishment; the application of grace and reminds us that redemptive freedom rescued us from the pathetic condition of our sinfulness. (Zod) Verses 24-26 “us”, “believers”, “the called” Jew and Gentile

10. Romans 9:27-29 These verses are about the remnant of Israel Because of sin, they were headed for the same end as Sodom and Gomorrah Because of God’s promises, some were spared; vessels of mercy

11. Romans 9:30-33 The Gentiles did not pursue righteousness, but they attained it by faith. Israel pursued a LAW of righteousness and did NOT attain it because it was not by faith They stumbled over the stumbling stone: Christ Jesus They didn’t believe in Him who gives righteousness Romans 9 – 11 is about Israel and God’s choice.