“A Survey of the Book of Romans” Romans 9:14-33 The Sovereignty of God in Relation to the Believer

The Apostle Paul begins the next section of Romans chapter 9 with regard to the sovereignty of God by raising this most poignant question – “What shall we say then?  Is there unrighteousness with God?  God forbid?  This matter of questioning the justice of God was raised in relation to God’s choosing of Isaac over Ishmael, and Jacob over Esau.  There can ever be any injustice in God!  And Paul immediately responds to the question by saying – “Perish the thought!” (v.14).

In relation to God’s sovereign decision, nobody can question Him, for verse 15 says: “For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (v. 15).  As the sovereign God, He has the authority or right to show mercy to whomever He chooses!  As the ruler of this vast universe, God extends His mercy on the basis of who He is, not on any merit of man (v. 16).  The marvelous sovereign work of God was demonstrated in history as God dealt with Pharoah in the release of Israel from Egyptian slavery.  Through Israel’s mighty release from slavery, God’s power and awesome name was evident (v. 17).  Through God’s sovereign power, Pharoah, although exhibiting a stubborn will, released the children of Israel (v. 18).

In verses 19-20, man, who was made from the dust of the earth cannot adequately affront the mystery and majesty of God’s sovereignty.  The Potter, the Lord, can use the clay, man, as He wills.  In His mercy, He can make a vessel to honor or dishonor (v. 21).  Although God is sovereign, He deals in patience and mercy with vessels of wrath (vs. 22-24).  God’s mercy is constantly being extended to those ripe for judgment!

Quoting from two Old Testament passages in verses 25-26, namely Hosea 2:23 and Hosea 1:10, the prophet Hosea predicted that God will restore the nation of Israel as His beloved people.  In verse 26, Gentiles on earth who believe will be saved also.  In our day, the believing remnant is made up of both Jews and Gentiles called the church.  However, Israel of the Old Testament is not the church.

Again, quoting from an Old Testament passage in verses 27-28, the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 10:22-23 cried in anguish as he predicted that during the Great Tribulation Period, a remnant of Israel will be saved.  In God’s mercy He will always save a remnant!  Also, quoting from Isaiah 1:9, the great prophet predicted that God in His sovereign choice will preserve and save a remnant.  Those prophecies have partially been fulfilled in the captivity and exile of both Israel and Judah and in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.  However, the ultimate fulfillment of these verses will take place during the Great Tribulation Period.  Again in verse 29, what a marvelous verse Paul quotes from Isaiah 1:9.

The great remnant that believed would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah in their ruin of sin had not God intervened in His mercy to save them!  In verses 30-33, a remnant of Gentiles attained righteousness by faith; whereas, Israel was trying to produce righteousness through the Mosaic system.  Quoting from Isaiah 8:14 and 28:16, the prophet Isaiah predicted that Israel would stumble over the stumbling stone, Jesus Christ.  Because Christ did not meet their expectations, the Jews rejected Him and did not respond to Him by faith!

May God Bless!