[:en]SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 9
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15)
“Therefore, God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy and he hardens whom he wants to harden” (Romans 9:18)
“But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this? Doesn’t the potter have the right to make out of the some lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:20-21)
GOD’S SOVEREIGN CHOICE (vs. 1-29)
This chapter deals with Israel’s past spiritual history. Israel was elected as the chosen nation with lots of blessings. They were given the covenant, the Law, the promises and the Messiah. However, the Israelites took them for granted and rejected Christ. God has the sovereign right of election. Paul discussed this election as national election, not individual.
Paul was talking about the Jews and Gentiles as people not individual sinners:
- Abraham was chosen as father of Israel nation but not all Israelites are true sons of Israel (vs. 6-8)
- Isaac was the child of promise by faith while Ishmael was a child of flesh through works. Believers are true seeds of Abraham. They do not need to have Jewish blood. (vs. 10-13)
- Jacob received the blessings while Esau, being the first born was by passed because he made the choice to rebel against God. God’s purpose in electing His nation is fulfilled.
IS GOD UNJUST?
We must not combine justice with full grace. Paul used Moses and Pharaoh as an example to show how God dispense His grace and mercy. He used the potter and the clay to explain His purpose in the election.
ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF
Israel pursue law to obtain righteousness but was rejected while the Gentiles pursue righteousness by faith and they obtained it. The Jews wanted a Messiah who would lead the nation to freedom and glory, so they could not believe in a crucified Lord.
SUMMARY:
This chapter emphasized the sovereign grace of God. But it also includes the responsibility of men to make the right decision. God’s choice will prevail but disobedient sinners will not have the blessings. The wisdom of God is beyond our understanding. For salvation is only possible with the sovereign grace of God,[:]