Romans Part 28 – Romans 9:6-16
Verse 6-7
• “not as tho the word of God hath taken none effect” – Israel failed, not God – Rom 3:3-4, Num 23:19.
• “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel” – But still born an Israelite, not a gentile. This is not new with Paul. – Mal 4:1-2, Matt 3:5-11, 21:42-43, Luke 12:32,51-53, Rom 2:28-29.
• “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children:” – Paul is not broadening the promise to a larger group of people but narrowing it to a smaller group, a remnant.
• “but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called” – How many sons did Abraham have? – Genesis 25:1-2 - This means it can’t be Islam and it can’t be you.
Verse 8-10
• “vs 8” – This verse reiterates vs 7 – Ishmael was born after the flesh – Gen 16.
• “For this is the word of promise” – God promised that Abraham would have seed and that God would give it to him through Sara his wife – Gen 17:15-16,19
• “at this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son” – Gen 18:10-14
• “And not only this, but when Rebecca had also conceived by one” – Genesis 25:21 There should be no questions that God started the nation of Israel according to His purpose.
• “even by our father Isaac” - The Jews father, context is key. – Vs 1-5
Verse 11-13
• “For the children being not yet born” – But conceived -Gen 25:21-24 – It doesn’t say “before the foundation of the world.”
• “neither having done either good or evil” – Why is this important? Paul explains.
• “that the purpose of God according to election might stand” – God chooses whom he will to see his purpose done. He chose through Isaac, and he chose through Jacob to give the promise.
• “not of works” – Because all are sinners and God would see His will done not of their works.
• “but of him that calleth” – How were they called? – By Gods words, not predestined coercion – Gen 26:1-5, Gen 28:12-15.
• “vs 12” – Speaking of the nations that would come from Jacob and Esau – Gen 25:23
• “vs 13” – Quoting Mal 1:2-3 – Spoking long after both men were dead. Obadiah 10 explains why – Eze 25:12-14, 2Chron 28:17, Num 20:14-21 – Not speaking of the individual men.
• Gen 36:1 - Could not Esau have accepted Gods will to continue his promise through Jacob? Could not Edom have blessed Israel and received a blessing?
• We see that Gods will would be done, not mans – Gen 17:18, Gen 27:1-4.
• We see nowhere in the context that election is referring to Individuals being predestined to eternal salvation or damnation.
Verse 14 -16
• “what shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God?” - He did choose Jacob who deceived – Gen 27:5-30
• “God forbid” – Remember Gods choice was not based on their works.
• “vs 15” – Exo 33:19 – Exo 20:5-6, 32:9:14, 33:1-6
• “So then it” – Gods purpose for Israel
• “not of him that willeth or runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” – We do not decide Gods purpose or whether or not we receive mercy. God has his own will and shows mercy on His terms.
• In the context of these verses Paul is showing that not all of Israel in the flesh will receive the things given in verse 4-5. God has promised them to true Israel, the remnant, Israel’s history bears this out as well, which is Paul’s point in this passage.
If you have any questions: My email - csb33@centurylink.net
