“A SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS” ROMANS 9:1-13 THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN RELATION TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL
Having arrived at the 9th chapter of the grand book of Romans, we have discussed Paul’s awesome argument that both the Gentiles and the Jews stood guilty before Holy God. The Gentiles had God’s natural revelation (creation) and they spurned God’s revelation, resulting in them being guilty of flagrant idolatry and gross sexual conduct (Romans 1:18-28). Moreover, the Jews were privileged with the Law but they did not live to the standard of the Law (Romans 2:17-29). As a rightful conclusion, Paul declared that both groups were guilty, for in Romans 3:10 it states – “As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one.”
To further emphasize the guilt of both groups, Paul declared in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Being in a lost position, mankind needed God’s provided righteousness in Jesus Christ to secure a righteous standing before Holy God. Through faith in God’s provided righteousness, mankind can be justified before God, for Romans 5:1 says – “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Despite mankind’s lost condition, he needs to know that God expressed His unconditional love in the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, to remedy his condition, for Romans 5:8 says – “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
In chapters 6-8, Paul discussed the area of sanctification with reference to the believer. Paul wanted the Roman believers to know that they had died to the reigning power of sin through identification with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4), and that they were no longer married to the Law, but to Christ (Romans 7:1-6). Therefore, victory in the Christian life is only achieved by walking in the freedom or liberty of the Holy Spirit Romans 8:2, 5).
In retrospect, as one carefully reads chapters 1-8 of this letter as it deals with the subject of salvation, it is evident that the next section of this great book will deal with the sovereignty of God in relation to Israel in God’s prophetic program (chapters 9-11). As it relates to God’s prophetic program for Israel, He has not totally abandoned her. He is presently dealing with a called-out group, the church; and after He finishes His program with the church He will resume His program with Israel (Acts 15:14-16). In Romans 9:1-2, the Apostle Paul’s heart is anguishing, because his people, the Jewish nation, have rejected the gospel. Paul is really perplexed, acting even as a mediator for his people, for verse says – “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” The love that Paul had for his people was certainly astounding! Moses also expressed his sentiment for his people in Exodus 32:31-32.
Having discussed his strong desire for Israel’s salvation (v. 3), Paul will enumerate the various privileges that the nation of Israel possessed in verses 4-5, and they were: (1) adoption as a nation – Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 7:6; (2) glory – Exodus 40:35; (3) covenants – Ephesians 2:12; (4) law – Exodus 19:5, 31:13; (5) service of God – Exodus 19:6; (6) promises – Joshua 1:2; (7) fathers – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob; (8) Christ, the Messiah. Finally, the sovereignty of God is supremely expressed in relation to Israel, in that, He chose Isaac over Ishmael (9:6-9), and Jacob over Esau (9:10-13). And in so doing, Paul was expressing the fact that the spiritual offspring of promise was the remnant that was true Israelites, not the natural offspring of Abraham. Thus, the Israelites that believed the gospel were sovereignly chosen by God. Although chosen by God, the remnant had the responsibility to believe (Romans 4:1-3). May God Bless!
