“Has the Word of God Failed?”
By Pastor Rich Paradis
Romans 9:1-13
As
we begin today, we are now entering another of the theological sections of the
letter to the Roman churches. While none of the work we have done already in
Romans could fall under the category of “easy”, this particular section (Romans
9-11) has been fuel for some of the most difficult discussions for the scholar.
Why is a section on Israel necessary? Is it a continuation of Paul’s argument,
or is it an aside that must be considered separately? Let’s consider this
interesting, difficult, and essential portion of Paul’s argument to these Roman
believers.
I.
A
Few Thoughts of Introduction
a.
As
was mentioned in the introductory paragraph, the scholars and students alike of
Romans 9-11 have wondered aloud at its necessity, message, and connection to
the letter as a whole for centuries.
b.
Some
would wonder about Romans 9-11 and its relevance to the whole of the letter. If
you were to take the ending of Paul’s remarks in Romans 8 and connect them to
the beginning remarks of Romans 12, you would have a logical and smooth transition
of thought. You would end with “nothing can separate us from the love of God”
and would pick up again with “therefore, present your bodies…” But that is not
the way that it happens.
c.
We
need to remember that God’s Word is not random and without meaning. This book
is the inspired (God-breathed) word, so it will not contain things that are
unnecessary or useless to its reader.
d.
That
being said, what would a portion that discusses Israel have to do with the
argument as a whole? Paul is often been seen in his writing as one who can
anticipate the next question and take it on before it is even asked. Paul will
do that here. Chapter 8 has concluded with Paul speaking to the fact that
nothing can separate us from the love of God. As chapter 9 opens, Paul is preparing
to take on an obvious and difficult question that might cast doubt on that
incredible passage from the previous chapter. That question might be, “What
about Israel?” They are God’s people. They are His “chosen ones”. If nothing
can separate us, even ourselves, from the love of God than what are we to think
of Israel? Many of them are far from God presently. Has God forgotten them? Is
there a plan for Israel in the future? Does Israel matter to God? And if the
answer to any of these questions is “no”, than can I really be sure that God
will be faithful to me?
e.
This
portion of Scripture will be difficult at times to swallow. It will speak to
your thoughts regarding God, His mercy, His election of some and not others, national
and spiritual Israel, and the future for both the people of Israel and for His
people as a whole.
a.
Some
information regarding Paul, the writer of the letter to the Romans, might be
helpful as we begin. Paul would have probably been considered a traitor to the
Jewish nation. He was in fact ministering to the Gentiles, a group that were
often thought to be no more than “dogs” in the Jewish mind. He was also
teaching a freedom from the law of Moses. He had preached in many synagogues
and had been often troublesome to the
thoughts and ways of that place. As a center of both culture and
information, it was probably at least somewhat known that Paul was someone of
questionable reputation when it came to “sticking up for the Jews”. It would be
important for Paul to share his love for Israel and its people and their
welfare. But this personal reason for the discussion was not the only reason.
There was also a doctrinal reason. We have already mentioned it in our remarks
above, but they are important to the flow of this passage. Paul was
intercepting what he thought would be a question regarding the faithfulness of
God to take care of His own. If Israel had been set aside and would ultimately
be left out of God’s plan moving forward, then what should the church think
about its own security at the hands of that same God?
b.
Paul
begins the passage in Vss. 1-2 with
a three-fold appeal to the reader about his grief and sorrow for his people.
Paul is concerned for the spiritual condition of his people, the Jews, and even
though there may be some question of his sincerity, they should believe him.
Why?
i.
His
relationship with Christ – Paul is “in Christ”.
ii.
He
is not lying – He is telling the truth from his heart.
iii.
His
conscience is aided by the Holy Spirit – Conscience is a reliable guide when it
is guided by the Spirit.
c.
He
continues in Vs. 3 with an
incredible statement that not only reinforces his feelings and thoughts above,
but they also say something about his own character and his love for them. He
says that if it were possible, which it is not possible due to the words of
chapter 8, he would wish himself to be accursed and separated from Christ for
the sake of his people. The word “accursed” is powerful. It is anathema; delivered over to the wrath of
God for eternal destruction. The feelings expressed here by Paul are a reminder
of Moses’ feelings towards his own disobedient people in Exodus 32:32. He loves
these people. He refers to them as brethren, but not in the faith. He refers to
them as brethren in the flesh. He is of the same race as them, not the same
faith. He realizes the spiritual heritage of his people, but differentiates
himself from them when it comes to faithful following of Christ.
d.
In
Vss. 4-5, Paul speaks to this
spiritual heritage from God towards the Israelites, the people of Israel, the
covenant people of God. It is notable that he does not say “Israel” or “Jews”
in this passage. He is speaking to a people that are different than every other
person on the Earth. What are the “advantages”, as this question was asked in
Romans 3:1-2, for these people?
i.
Adoption
as sons – Israel had been accepted as God’s son (Ex.4:22-23, Jer.31:9, Hosea
11:1)
ii.
The
Glory – The evidence of God’s presence over His people (Ex.16:7 & 10, Lev.
9:6 & 23, Numbers 16:19)
iii.
The
Covenants – The Abrahamic (Gen. 15:17-21 & 17:1-8), the Mosaic (Ex. 19:5
& 24:1-4), Levitical (Num.25:12-13) Davidic (2 Samuel 7) and the New
(Jeremiah 31:31-40)
iv.
The
Giving of the Law – Moses received the Law at Sinai
v.
The
Temple Service – The sacrificial service maintained by the priests and
prescribed in the Law
vi.
The
Promises from the Patriarchs – Closely related to the covenants, but also the
messianic promises from the OT
vii.
The
Fleshly Lineage of Christ – The human ancestry of Christ can be traced through
these people. Note in Vs. 5 the clear language related to Christ and His deity.
He is “over all, and “God blessed forever”.
e.
As
we close this section, we are struck by the promise and excitement of chapter 8
that has now turned to sadness in chapter 9 as Paul discusses the people of
God, Israel, and their spiritual condition versus what God had in mind for
them.
III.
Some
Thoughts Regarding God Romans 9:6-13
a.
As
we move forward in the passage, we are now led to a discussion about God, His
word, and the doctrine of election (the right of God to do as He pleases with
that which He had made).
b.
In
light of Vss. 1-5, Vs. 6a tells us
that some might be led to conclude that God or His word had failed since the
people of God were so far away in the loyalty and followership. But God is not
surprised. If there is a failure, it
must be attributed to man instead of to God. God’s word, His promise, is
not in danger of being rendered either impotent or failed. Than what is the
solution to this question of whether God’s word has failed due to the state of
national Israel at this point?
c.
In
Vs. 6b, we have the answer. Paul is not denying the election
of all Israel as a nation, but he is stating that within Israel there is a
separation, that of unbelieving Israel and believing Israel. Physical descent
is no guarantee of a place in God’s family.
d.
The
example cited in Vss. 7-9 is that of
Abraham’s children Ishmael and Isaac. In Genesis 21:12, we have the story of
Sarah’s interaction with Abraham over the son conceived of Hagar. While this
child, Ishmael, is of the physical lineage of Abraham he is not of the lineage
of promise. Who is that child? According to the passage, it is Isaac. In the
same way, we see that those that are of a physical lineage of Israel are not
necessarily of the spiritual lineage of faith. The “children of flesh” and the
“children of promise” are different groups. God did not base his election on
the physical. Therefore, if the nation of Israel (Abraham’s physical
descendants) has rejected God’s Word, this does not nullify God’s word or His
purposes at all. So, we learn that:
i.
No
one is saved because of their lineage.
ii.
People
are saved in the same way that all others have been saved, by faith.
e.
In Vss. 10-13, we have a similar example
with an additional emphasis. Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons. Genesis 25:21-23 tells
us the story of the conception and birth. Before these twins had even been
born, God elected that Esau would serve
Jacob. This was “out of order” in that Jacob was the younger twin thus making Esau the older
and the historical child of promise. But that was not how it unfolded. Why?
Because God had chosen otherwise. Before anything had been done good or bad by
the twins, God made a decision that Jacob would be the one that would be the child
of promise instead of Esau. This decision was made by God not because of what
they had done, but because that is what God decided to do. So, we learn that :
i.
No
one is saved because of what they do or don’t do.
ii.
People
are saved in the same way that all others have been saved, by faith.
f.
With
those two examples before us, we will continue next time with the question of whether
God is just as He makes the decisions that He makes.
IV.
An
Application For All Of Us
a.
Paul
had a great love for the people of Israel, wishing that they would be saved and
would serve God with their lives.
1.
Do
you have a love for the people around you?
2.
What
would you be willing to sacrifice for them, even as they seemingly make no
moves toward you or God?
b.
There
is a difference between national Israel and spiritual Israel.
c.
God’s
word has not been nullified nor has it failed because of the failure of
national Israel.
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