Can God Really Do That?

 

Can God Really Do That?

ROMANS 9:1-5 (Vs 14)

SUBJECT: ROMANS/ ISRAEL’S PAST

THEME: the foundation of God’s entire economy of redemption rest upon his nature and character; therefore, we can breathe easier without any probability of disappointment in his mercy, power, and faithfulness.

INTRODUCTION:

If God is fair in his dealings with Israel, then the rest of humanity can unreservedly entrust their eternal future with him.  However, if he was unfair in his dealings with the nation of Israel, then how can we as Gentile Christians even begin to rest in him for our own eternal destiny?

There are several questions I hope to answer from this passage and this chapter in Romans:

1) Is salvation based on our good works or is it based on the calling and compassion of God?     

2) What does it mean when the God of love says he loved Jacob but hated Esau?

3) How can we reconcile God’s sovereignty with human responsibility?    

4) Have the promises of God failed Israel? Will they fail us also?   

5) After looking at his record, can God still be trusted today?

RELEVANCE: Basically, God exercises the prerogatives of a sovereign God and man functions within the orbit of God’s will as a free moral agent. In both instances neither violates the opportunities and choices of the other. It is this understanding that sets the stage as we come into Romans chapter nine.

MESSAGE:

I.    A Sincere Desire to See the Nation of Israel Saved. Vs 1-4. Paul’ s burdened for the salvation of his kinsman, the nation of Israel.    

Rom 9:1, I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

II. Yet, The Nation of Israel Is Not Saved. Vs 4-5.

Paul recounts the privileges of Israel, but still they are not saved nationally.  

Rom 9:4-5, Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; [5] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

    A.  THE DIVINE FAVOR, GOD’S GRACE, ON THE NATION OF ISRAEL

This section places great emphasis on divine sovereignty and human responsibility.  Romans 9 deals primarily with His Sovereignty and Chapter 10 will balance things out concerning Human responsibility. Notice that God extended his sovereignty to grant Israel’s opportunities rooted in his grace.

            1.   They Were Privileged with Divine Adoption     Vs 4, ...  to whom pertaineth the adoption.... Adoption has to do with the placing of a son and God had adopted the nation of Israel to be His son.  He was a father to Israel.

Exod 4:22-23, And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: [23] And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

Jer 31:9, They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.   (Hos. 11:1; Deut. 14:1)

APPLICATION: What a Privilege is Ours to be the very Sons of God, Adopted into His family and made Joint Heir with Jesus Christ! Romans 8:15-17, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Eph. 1:4, Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1 John 3:1-2, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

           2.  They Were Privileged with Divine Accompaniment   Vs 4, ...and the glory

The Glory Cloud or Shekinah Glory that visible luminous appearance of God's presence. It was a symbol of God presence, guidance, and protection of His earthly people Israel.  What a privilege to have God’s Leadership as a Nation!

                A)  It led them across the wilderness (Exod. 13:21-22; Num. 9:17-22).

                B)  It protected them at the Red Sea (Exod. 14:19-20,24).

                C)  It filled the tabernacle during Moses' dedication (Exod. 40:34-38).

                D)  It filled the temple during Solomon's dedication (1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chron.

5:13-14).

                E)  It was removed during Ezekiel's time (Ezek. 10).

APPLICATION: What Great Privilege is Ours to Have the Glory of God in Us; to be indwelt by the Holy Ghost.  We have Power for living in the Filling of the Spirit, Guidance in life, and the very Presence of God With us always. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

          3.  They Were Privileged with the Divine Agreements Vs 4, ...and the covenants

                A) The Abrahamic Covenant-Promising a Mighty Nation (Gen. 12:2-3,7;13:14-17; 15:5, 18; 17:8).

                B) The Palestinian Covenant-Promising the land from Egypt to the Euphrates   Gen. 15:18; Deut. 30:3

                C) The Davidic Covenant-Promising an Eternal Kingdom (2 Sam. 7:12-16; 23:5;2 Chron. 13:5).

                D) The New Covenant-Promising New Hearts (Jer. 31:31-34).

APPLICATION: As New Testament (New Covenant) Saints We Will share in all the Blessed Promises with the saved Nation of Israel at the time of their National Redemption. Hebrews 9:14-15, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? ¹⁵ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Christ offered His own blood as the sacrifice for our sins, He is the mediator of a new covenant (see Heb. 8:6). He focuses on God's promise of forgiveness of sins under the new covenant. Christ is not an abandonment of these Jewish roots. Instead, he is a fulfillment of that heritage. 

           4.  They Were Privileged with The Divine Articles Vs 4, ...   and the giving of the law

Israel alone were the recipients of the Holy Law of God (Deut. 5:1–22).

It was to Israel that the law was given. They and they alone were its recipients.^[1]

It was to them that the ceremonial and judicial law were given, and the moral law in writing pertained to them. It is a great privilege to have the law of God among us,^[2]

APPLICATION: We today have the entire preserved Word of God. We have the privilege of the great example of Believers from the past to inspire us to live for God.  We have the privilege of knowing what God thinks is important, and what God values.  We can know exactly what to do to please God from the Bible. Also, I always use a KJV Bible, and I hardily recommend that you secure one if you belong to the English-speaking world.  Every scrap of solid evidence, and genuine Christian History points to the KJV Bible as God’s preserved Word in English.

           5.  They Were Privileged with The Divine Administration Vs 4, ... and the service of God. They performed services for God (ministering in both tabernacle, temple, and the priesthood).

This had to do with the worship of the tabernacle and temple. They were to be a kingdom of priests. “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel” (Exod. 19:6). The nation failed God, but God did not give up His purpose that they should be priests. God took the tribe of Levi and gave them the responsibility of serving and caring for the tabernacle and, later, the temple. In the future, in the millennial kingdom, the nation of Israel will once again be God’s priests upon the earth.^[3]

APPLICATION: it is still a privilege to serve God in the local church, through the in-resident local assembly today. To worship God, teach, be a member of, send the gospel to the world, to assemble, disciple, to encourage each other, to hear the Word preached/explained, and to pray and call upon God in the church body is what we are to do. The great properties of belonging, fellowship, and purpose that people look for in other organizations can be found in a proper church body in most cases. What great privileges we take for granted as members of a church of our Lord Jesus Christ! What pleasures we take for granted by being a part of Christ’s functional body on earth. How honored we are to be a part of our Lord’s sweet precious bride, the church!

1 Cor 12:26-28, And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. [28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (See Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12, 14-20; Eph. 1:23; 4:12; 5:23; 5:30; Col. 1:18 & 24)

           6.  They Were Privileged with The Divine Affirmations Vs 4, ... and the promises….

In addition to the covenants mentioned above, God made innumerable promises to Israel of protection, peace, and prosperity.^[4]

APPLICATION: We who are saved have the promises of an eternal inheritance; eternal life, eternal home, and eternal glory. Heb 9:15, And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

“The promise of the eternal inheritance” takes us back to the inheritance that God promised to Abraham, where we become heirs through having the same faith as Abraham. It includes justification by faith, being part of a spiritual nation, a new immortal body, and eternal life. (See Gal. 3:15-18, 29; Rom. 8:15-17; 1 Cor. 15:50-58)

           7.  They Were Privileged with Their Human Ancestry    Vs 5, ...Whose are the fathers, ... (See Matt. 1:1-16). This is the Jewish heritage and family line.

The Jewish people rightfully claim the patriarchs as their own—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve sons of Jacob. These were the forefathers of the nation.^[5]

Later in New Testament times we as Christians can point to Matthew, Paul, Peter, John etc.

APPLICATION 1: If you have parents that brought you up in church and on the Bible, then you should make a point of frequently thanking them for their faithfulness to the Lord. They have given you one of the most valuable gifts, a spiritual family heritage in Christ. We should appreciate them for not quitting on us, not resorting to other philosophies, and not allowing themselves to get out of church and backslidden. You have a steadfast heritage because of their faith. This is a wonderful gift!

APPLICATION 2: Perhaps you don’t have the family history I just described. In fact, you experienced quite the opposite! Though you have the pain and scares from the past, it still all can begin with you. You can be the “Abraham” in your family lineage.  The one who believes God and separates from the old trends and ways of the family looking to the promises and provisions of God as you journey to the land of promise! You can be the “David” in your home who leads your family to victory after victory through the many battles of life. The one who leads your family to having a heart for God. By the grace of God, it can begin with you regardless of the challenges and unfavorable circumstances! Relinquish the grip of victimhood and embrace the hope of responsibility under God’s economy!

APPLICATION 3: We too have the privilege of a great spiritual ancestry in the servants of God of yesteryear.  In people like D. L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Charles Spurgeon, Charles Finney, George Whitfield, Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliotte, Corrie Ten Boom, C. T. Studd, John R. Rice, Amy Carmichael, W. W. Wiersbe, and many others.  These men and ladies trusted God, believed God to work in their lives and He did.  My how this should create a hunger and thirst in our souls to see revival come to our hearts, to our churches, and to our nations. It happened with these men and women, why can’t it happen with us!

           8.  They Were Privileged with The Highest Aim      Vs 5, . . .and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

They are the nation that God chose to bring our Savior into the World, the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Messiah Himself.  How would you like to be the people from which the Sovereign of the Universe was born, the eternally blessed God of Heaven.  It is through the Messiah that all of the promises and privileges afforded Israel will realize their ultimate fulfilment and consummation!

APPLICATION:  Divine Favor is not enough to make salvation complete.  God did all that He did with Israel because of a Sovereign Choice, but that alone didn’t save them.  In fact, great privilege means great responsibility. Thus, we learn that even when God acts Sovereignly in our lives, we are still accountable and held responsible for our actions. We are still liable for our failures.

Basically, God implements the choices of a sovereign God and humanity acts within the path of God’s will as a free moral agent. In neither case do the parties violate the opportunities and options of the other. It is this dynamic that Romans chapter nine seeks to highlight.

     B.  THE DOWNFALL OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL INSPITE OF GOD’S GRACE

Rom 9:31-33, But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

          1.  Their Works and Self Righteousness Was One Reason for Their Downfall

Rom 9:32, Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.

          2.  Their Willful Rejection of the Savior Was Another Reason for Their Downfall

Rom. 9:32, For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Rom 9:33, As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

APPLICATION 1: The primary focus of this entire chapter is the Sovereignty of God, but from the very start of the chapter we see strong testimony here to the responsibility of man in the matter of salvation.  It is difficult to reconcile these two doctrines, however, both are clearly taught here and will be in the next chapter.  God may give us today great privileges, blessings and benefits, but in the end it all boils down to whether or not we have trusted Him in a saving capacity or have we rejected His grace for our own works and self-righteousness.

APPLICATION 2: As Christians we can fail in our responsibilities to trust and serve God. God in His sovereignty has blessed us richly as Americans, but are we taking advantage of the privileges He has afforded us to trust Him to work in our lives and through our lives individually and institutionally?  With great privilege comes great responsibility and we as Christians have a wealthy heritage, the power of God, and the blessings of God. Are we executing his will with gratitude? God is not about to change because he is absolutely faithful; it seems the ball is in our court now.

CONCLUSION:

God’s past dealings with the nation of Israel are based on two things, His grace and government.  His grace refers to his character and nature. His dealings with them in grace involved the privileges of being Israelites, the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law, promises, the service in the tabernacle, and the fathers. The most important blessing is Christ, the Messiah.  God’s governmental dealings with Israel involved His wisdom, will, and Word.  God was governed by fixed principles and not capricious whims.

The basis of God’s entire economy of redemption rest upon the foundation of his nature and character, therefore we can be assured without any possibility of disappointment in his mercy, power, and faithfulness.

Furthermore, the Scriptures say that we all are sinners. Unless God, pure and righteous, take our place and suffered the penalty for our sin, we would have to bear that penalty ourselves. The Apostle Paul explained this in Romans 3:10–18: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. [13] Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: [14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: [15] Their feet are swift to shed blood: [16] Destruction and misery are in their ways: [17] And the way of peace have they not known: [18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.   

Jesus’ death on the cross for us never needs to be repeated, and neither does anyone else ever have to suffer and die as He did. He is the sacrificial, substitutionary, all-sufficient atonement (Romans 5:20-21; 6:10-11). Yes, Christ died for us. Jesus came so that you and I might transfer our guilt to Him, and accept, by faith, that He is the guiltless One who has received our sin and taken it to Himself.

So, in this light, the only thing you need to do to receive salvation is to literally receive God’s forgiveness. And when you do, you truly have made a choice for life. We cannot simply believe anything about Jesus or be forgiven for any reason though. We must believe the Son of God, Jesus Christ, died for our sins, was buried, and God raised Him up again from among the remaining dead people the third day for our justification before The Father (see 1 Cor. 15:1-4 and Rom 3:21-31). I need you to understand that it is faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel that is the power of God that saves us…that grant us eternal life through Christ (Rom. 1:14-17). Again, receive God’s salvation even now. You can experience God’s spiritual new birth right now!

 

---

^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1716.

^[2] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2216.

^[3] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 4 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997), 711.

^[4] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1716.

^[5] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1716.