St Louis UBF UBF Bible Study : Romans 9:1-33

Bible Study Materials

Romans 9:1-33

by Paul Choi 03/28/2010

Question

OD’S SOVEREIGN CHOICE AND MERCY

Romans 9:1-29

Key Verse: 9:16

* In chapters 1-8, Paul taught that Jews and Gentiles alike can be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. In chapters 9-11 Paul deals with Israel’s unbelief and the fulfillment of God’s promise.

1. What was Paul’s great anguish and wish for Israel (1-4a)? What privileges did the Israelites have (4b-5)? Why was this important?

2. What was God’s word to Israel, and why did it not fail (6-7; Gal 3:16)? Who are the children of promise (8-9)?

3. What does the election of Jacob reveal about God’s way of working (10-13)? What is the significance of this?

4. What question did Paul anticipate (14)? How did he answer (15)? Read verse 16. What did Paul conclude? What does the exclusion of human merit in salvation mean to us? How does God display his sovereign power, and for what purpose (17-18)?

5. How do people blame God (19)? Through the metaphor of a potter and clay, what did Paul teach about God and human beings (20-21)?

6. To what do objects of wrath and mercy refer, and how does God deal with each (22-24)? How does Paul demonstrate from Scripture that the Gentiles are included as objects of mercy (25-26)? That a remnant of Israel would be saved (27-29)?

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Message

GOD’S SOVERIGN WILL FOR WORLD SALVATION

Romans 9:1-33

Key Verse: 9:28 “For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth will speed and finality.”

Welcome back to Romans study! In the previous chapters 1-8 we learned that we are freely justified only by God’s grace when we believe in Jesus Christ so that we can have redemption and eternal salvation as righteous children of God. Now in chapters 9-11, beyond concern for personal salvation, the Apostle Paul turns his concern to salvation for nations and for the world. Especially in chapter 9, Paul teaches us God’s divine sovereignty and men’s responsibility in the work of salvation. In this chapter Paul also express his burning and broken shepherd heart for his own people Israelites as well as his assurance of God’s completion for world salvation despite human weaknesses. This hour let us open our eyes to see the world, our hearts to cherish the universe so that we may renew God’s calling, overcome our personal problems, share God’s heart for world salvation, and participate in his redemptive work. Amen.

First, the spiritual blessings and responsibilities (1-5) Look at verses 1,2. “I speak the truth in Christ- I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit- I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Paul starts this chapter with his personal and emotional remarks. The Holy Spirit convicts his conscience until his heart was filled with great sorrow and unceasing anguish. Then what did cause his heart troubled and anguished? It is because of his own people Israelites. Please read verses 3,4a, “For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel…” During the last Easter Bible Conference shepherd Priscilla showed her full attention and compassion for her brother Dave as a mother does for her children. We believe that she has a broken shepherd heart on her own brother Dave and for his salvation. In the same way, Paul was in great anguish and sorrow when he thought about his own people Israelites, who were far away from God’s will for world salvation.

In the past, Paul himself was also far away from God’s will for world salvation. He was self-righteous, egoistic, legalistic, and nationalistic. He persecuted the church of God and hindered the Way of the Lord. However, on the way to Damascus, he met the Risen Christ and was converted on the spot. He came to realize that he was saved and was appointed an apostle for the Gentiles only by God’s grace. He confessed, “But by God’s grace I am what I am…” (1 Co 15:9) Paul’s heart was broken when he thought that his people Israelites were ignorant and unbelieving as he had been before.

There are another reason why Paul’s heart was eager for his own people Israelites. It is because the Israelites had abandoned God’s holy mission even though God chose them and granted them abundant blessings so that they might carry out God’s purpose for world salvation as priestly nation. In verses 4,5 Paul states God’s special blessings on Israelites as a chosen people. “…the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.” First, God chose Israelites as his firstborn son. In Exodus 4:22 and 23, God says to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, “Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me..” Generally, the firstborn son inherits his father’s name, fame, right, and possessions. It is a great blessing for the former slave people of Egypt to be chosen as God’s firstborn son. Second, the divine glory. In Exodus 40:34,35 when Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. What a blessing when God’s glory fills this church and your house. Third, the covenants. The covenant is God’s specific promises for salvation to his own people. God made covenants with Abraham (Ge 12:1-3,15:18), with Moses (Ex 19:3-25;20:1,26) and with David (2 Sa 7:16; 1 Chr 17:7) Their confidence in being a covenant people made the Israelites strong and persevering until they knew no defeat. Fourth, the receiving of the law. Here the law indicates the Ten Commandments. Through this Ten Commandments God taught his people the way to have a right relationship with God and to live a blessed life as people of God. The Ten Commandments became the foundation of the whole Bible. Fifth, the temple worship. Temple worship is worship service in modern terms. Worship service does not necessarily mean ritual performance. It is among the believers praising God, listening to His word, and having fellowship as brothers and sisters. What a blessing when we worship God together under one roof with joy and thanks! Sixth, the promises. Here the promises are basically as the same as the covenants. However, the promises focus on the Messiah, while the covenant emphasizes the relationship between God and his people. The seventh is “the patriarchs”. When Barak Obama was elected as the president of the United of State of America, the people of Kenya Africa praised saying, “A son of Kenya became a president of the great America.” Mongolians are proud of being descendants of Great Genghis Khan. How much more proud the Israelites to have great ancestors of faith so-called “patriarchs” such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and so on! The eighth is “the human ancestry of Jesus Christ.”Jesus Christ was born as a Jew, a son of carpenter in a small town of Israel. So the Israelites ignored him, rejected him and finally killed him on the cross. However, Jesus is God over all. He is forever praised! Amen. Here “Jesus is God over all” means “Jesus is God for all mankind over all circumstances, events, nations and ages.” “Jesus is God over all” should be all Christians’ motto.

The Israel’s eight blessings remind us of God’s blessing on America. Indeed this country America was a chosen among all nations on this earth. Before this country was established, the land of America was known as refuse for all kinds of criminals and trouble-makers in England. So the English courts asked the convicted criminals by saying, “Do you go to jail or to America?” But how does America change these days? Despite short history of the nation comparing to others, America became a super power nation of the century. The history of America has revealed God’s divine glory each generation since the Pilgrims had crossed over the Atlantic Ocean with the Mayflower. The Pilgrims believed that God chose them and wanted them to establish godly nation so called, ‘the City on a hill.” As soon as they arrived, they worshiped God by calling the name of the Lord. Through several the Great Awaking Movements, God changed numerous and diverse sinners into new creations and God-worshipers. For great spiritual revivals on this land God called George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, John and Charles Wesley, Charles Finney, DL Moody, Billy Graham and so on. God also raised many great Founding Fathers such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and established the Constitutions, the fundamental laws and principles of the nation. The words “In God we trust” appeared in 1864 during the Civil War and became an official national motto in 1956. Where can we find such a godly national motto in other country? In Europe a morally corrupted man became a president of a nation. The president remarried a former nude model. However, in America any politician who has marital defect or infidelity or scandals cannot be even a presidential candidate. Still America keeps moral and religious value as a Christian nation. Still God has a hope to make this country America a kingdom of priest and a holy nation.

God wants to make America a kingdom of priest and a holy nation so that through her the knowledge of God may be reached to all nations. The America- born companies such as Coca-Cola and Mc Donald reach to every corner of the world even to Africa, Russia and in the Middle East. Why not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?

The Pilgrims believed that they were new covenant people who would establish godly nation. At the end of 19 century a thousand students in Yale University made a vow to commit their lives to Christ and to go out to other countries as missionary. They were willing to sacrifice and ready to give their lives for God’s world salvation purpose. Fifty five years ago, a beautiful girl took a ship and crossed the Pacific Ocean for two months and arrived at Korea. She lived a small room, ate Korean food and taught the Bible to Korean students. She even sacrificed her marriage for the sake of God’s world salvation. America has a great spiritual heritage. However, how about Today’s America? How about young people on campus? Before we condemn gays or lesbians, we examine ourselves and young people who say that they are Christian and people of God. What is the prayer topic for this nation and for this church? We have been praying to God for raising up one steward, one fully committed Wash U. student who shares God’s great shepherd heart for the world and for the students in Wash U. Can we find any? Can we find anyone who is willing to sacrifice himself or herself for the sake of Christ even by denying his or her human dream, ambition and plan?

When the Apostle Paul thought about his people Israelites, his heart was broken because his people only enjoyed God’s blessings and ignored their responsibilities as chosen people. They had rejected the prophets and abandoned God’s holy mission. Finally, they killed the Messiah Jesus Christ. From human point of view, God’s world salvation plan failed. God’s word of promise seemed to be evaporated. But from Paul’s point of view it was not true. God’s word of promise and his world salvation plan is still valid. Paul clearly refutes the unbelievers and the skeptics in verse 6, “It is not as though God’s word had failed.” We often despair whenever we confront poor and negative response of young people to the gospel. We sometimes doubt if God really chose this country America as a priestly nation, if God really sent us to participate in world campus mission in this country, and if God really can complete his purpose through this country, whenever we see the prosperity of the ungodly people. But we should remember that God never fails. God’s word for world salvation is never invalid. In 11:30 Paul says, “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” Despite the wickedness and unfaithfulness of men, God will fulfill his will for world salvation as he had promised. Regardless of ignorance and negligence, God will complete his mission for the world through this country. Amen.

How could God do so? Paul answers with assurance showing two specific evidences in verses 6-18. First of all, God’s faithfulness will complete his world salvation work. Look at verses 6-9. “It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Abraham had many children. But only Isaac was regarded as Abraham’s true son because Isaac was God’s covenant son. In the same way, Americans are not all Christians even though she was known as a Christian country. Only those who believe in God’s promises and live according to his teachings are true Christians. How wonderful it will be if all our Bible students become spiritual leaders and disciples of Jesus Christ! However, only those who believe God’s promises, appreciate spiritual value as disciples of Jesus and participate in spiritual training can be spiritual leaders and useful servants of God. Even though Israelites failed to carry out God’s holy mission due to their selfishness and ignorance, God choose those who appreciate his mission and through them he fulfills his divine work. Remember people’s unfaithfulness cannot nullify God’s faithfulness. Despite men’s unfaithfulness, God’s faithfulness will complete his mission through his chosen people. Amen.

Second, God uses his sovereignty to fulfill his world salvation work. In verses 10-18, Paul illustrates how God uses his sovereignty to carry out his mission. Let us read verses 10-18. “Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad-in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls-she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.” Here the word “sovereignty” means God’s own divine, unique, and superior power, authority and right as the Creator. By his sovereignty God chose Jacob rather than Esau for his purpose while they were still in their mother’s womb. By his sovereign will God used the stubborn Pharaoh to display God’s divine power and glory when God punished Egypt with ten plagues in order to release his people Israelite from the hand of Pharaoh. According to his sovereignty God showed his mercy on whom he wanted to have mercy, and he hardened whom he wanted to harden. God is like a football coach who chooses and changes his team members according to his plan. Likewise, God chooses his servants according to his sovereign will and purpose.

People frequently ask, “Which is right, “predestination” or “free will?” in God’s salvation? It is like the same sort of question, “Which is first, hen or egg?” Those who are lazy and neglect their responsibility as children of God may ask, “Then why does God still blame us if he has predestined everything and everyone? We don’t have to work hard since our destiny was set up by God anyway. God is not fair.”(19) How did Paul reply? Paul rebukes them saying in verses 20,21? “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?” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purpose and some for common use?” Our God has the absolute sovereignty in creation and in election. The important thing is that God uses his sovereignty for his good purpose, especially for redemptive purpose. Joseph’s story in the Old Testament shows us a good example. Joseph’s life seemed to be one tragedy after another. When he was still a teen, he was hated by his own brothers and sold to the foreigners by them. In the foreign land, he lived as a slave. One day he was falsely accused by his mater’s wife and sent into prison. What a sorrowful destiny! But, the Bible says that God was with Joseph and gave him success in everything he did. (Ge 39,3,23). Joseph did not give in his fate, but accepted God’s sovereignty over his life and worked hard in the sight of God. Finally, when he became the prime minister of Egypt, he encouraged his fearful brothers saying, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Ge 50:19,20) Indeed God used Joseph to save many lives including Egyptians and his own families in the midst of severe famine.

Predestination for world salvation is God’s sovereign will. God creates each of us, chooses us and uses us for his good purpose. One young man lost his mom when he was eight months old. He was sorrowful whenever he missed his mom. But he did not accept this as his fate, but as God’s divine sovereignty when he believed in Jesus Christ. He believed that God made him suffer in advance so that he might understand sorrow of many fatherless and motherless people in the world. Ephesians 2:10 is his life key verse which says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

When Israelites rejected God’s holy mission, God’s world salvation plan seemed to be dismissed. But it is not the case. With his divine sovereign will God chose the Gentile to fulfill his world mission purpose. In verses 25-29, Paul quotes the prophecies of God who foretold in advance about this. “As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one.” Here “who are not my people and who is not my loved one” indicate the Gentiles. God chose the Gentiles and called them “sons of the living God.” (26) Some of us are not born Americans. From human point of view, we are modern Gentiles. However, God uses us for his world campus mission, especially to make this country America a kingdom of priest and a holy nation. If born Americans do not accept God’s holy mission, God will choose foreigners and modern Gentiles to fulfill his purpose. God’s word never fails. God’s word is never chained. (2 Ti 2:9)

It was not only Paul who had broken heart for his own people, but also the Prophet Isaiah. Look at verse 27. “Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.” It is reported that 85 % of Americans believe in God. However, we cannot say that they are all Christians. Even though they are as numerous as sand by the sea, God uses only some of them, probably very few among them, for his world salvation purpose. Only those who trust in God and are willing to sacrifice his life for world mission will be used for this great purpose.

Like the Prophet Isaiah, Paul did not despair his people’s unbelief and unfaithfulness. He believed that God himself will accomplish his will. Look at verse 28. “For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.” Despite men’s unfaithfulness, God’s faithfulness will carry out his will. God himself uses his divine sovereignty and mercy to complete his mission. Now, it is up to your choice. Are you going to join us to participate in world campus mission or to enjoy only God’s blessings and become useless? Do not think that Jesus is only a merciful Savior. He is also a stumbling stone who causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. (Is 8:14, 28:16, Ro 9:33) He will judge us according to what we have done while living on this earth. (Ro 2:6-10). The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. (33) Amen.

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