A Choice Rooted in Grace

 

ROMANS 9:6-13 (VS. 11)

SUBJECT: ROMANS/ ISRAEL’S PAST

THEME: God’s entire redemptive economy rests on the foundation of his unchanging nature and character. As a result, we are assured without any disappointment by his mercy, power, and faithfulness.

INTRODUCTION:

Grace has been defined in several ways to convey its undeserved nature and to express its freedom of choice. Divine grace has historically and consistently conveyed God’s willingness to deal with mankind in the most undeserved fashions. In each case the choice is God’s as to whom he will show such unmerited favor to. When everyone of us deserved to be condemned because of our sin, God intervenes to show mercy on some…those who believe his promises…those who engaged him by faith.

It is also true that we humans get our inclinations for justice from God our Creator. He shared this trait with humanity. But that does not automatically mean we are ‘just’ in our behavior or that we hold fair views in all things. We all know there are times we actually reject what’s pure, consistent, warranted, fair, right, and just. Obviously, at times our system of justice needs to be updated and corrected to match our Creator’s. Certainly, we correctly expect God to do right and be fair.  

Now there are a few questions I hope to answer through this study:

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

2) Was God fair in putting Israel aside temporarily? What about all of God’s national promises?    

3) Have the promises of God failed Israel? Can they fail in our case also?   

4) After looking at His record, can God still be trusted today?

LESSON:

GOD’S REDEMPTIVE PLAN IN THE HISTORY OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN ISRAEL’S PAST SELECTION IS ACCORDING TO GRACE. (Rom. 9:6-13)

Rom. 9:11, (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

The “purpose of God according to election might stand” is key to grasping the importance of this passage.

“The purpose of God according to election means His determination to distribute His favors according to His sovereign will and good pleasure. This verse, incidentally, disproves the idea that God’s choice of Jacob was based on His foreknowledge of what Jacob would do. It specifically says that it was not made on the basis of works!”^[a]

Another point that needs to be understood from the outset is this term, “him that calleth”.

“God’s plan (8:28; 9:11), and not man’s works (4:2–6), is the basis of His election.”^[b]

GOD’S CALLINGS IN QUESTION: WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR ALL OF GOD’S CALLINGS CONCERNING ISRAEL? GOD’S CALLINGS ARE CONSISTENT WITH HIS PLAN. Rom 9:6-7, Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: [7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

The significance of “seed” contrasted with “children” is vital to our understanding.  

     1.  Historically Who Did God Call?

         a. God Called the Second-born Isaac Instead of Ishmael. The example of Ishmael and Isaac. Rom. 9:6, Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

God’s Callings is always effective, and God’s Word and Promises are never barren nor voided.

This verse is the heart of this discussion, and it supports the credibility of all of God’s claims, purposes and promises concerning Israel.  And reassures the Believer that there will be no breach of promise concerning our salvation.

                 1) They Are Not All Israel, Which Are of Israel. There is a difference between the Physical Descendants and the Spiritual Children of Abraham. God’s blessings did not belong to someone merely because they had the birthright or ethnically traced their heritage back to Abraham. He had offsprings by Hagar, Sarah, and Katurah, but the “Seed” was called in Isaac!

Rom. 9:7, Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called (Rom. 9:6-7).

God chose Isaac (Abraham's son through Sarah) over Ishmael (his son through Hagar).  Isaac in this usage is the “Promised Seed” of Abraham and as such, he is a picture and type of the Lord Jesus Christ the Promised Seed.  Just as in Isaac shall the seed be called also in Christ shall we be counted for the seed—heirs of God and children of promise!

Gal 4:28, Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Gal 3:26-29, For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

                2) The Children of the Promise Are Counted for the Seed.

Rom. 9:8, That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. [9] For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

                       a)  Nationally: Nationality and Being Born a Jew or a Descendant of Abraham has never been the basis for a person becoming an heir to the promises of God.  God’s sovereign election was never based on physical lineal descent.  Just because a person was born a Jew, does not automatically mean that they are saved.  It has always been salvation through faith and therefore we see how God can now justify Gentiles who believe on Christ.

                       b)  Spiritually: The principles of salvation are set forth in the calling and sovereign election of God because of His grace and through faith.  That means that salvation is not according to the products of the flesh or human desires, works, and efforts.  Those who believe the “promise” concerning the Seed Christ, are the Spiritual Children of Abraham.  These are the saved according to the grace of God and not according to their works!

        b.  God Called the Second-born Jacob Instead of Esau.  The example of Esau and Jacob

Rom. 9:10-13, And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; [11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. [13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

God chose Jacob (second-born twin of Isaac) over Esau (firstborn twin). Some have been troubled over Paul's statement here in verse 13: “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” It should be noted that the statement obviously does not refer to the two boys, but to the nations they founded, namely, Israel and Edom. This Old Testament prophet Obadiah clearly tells us why God hated Edom.

“God’s “love” for Jacob was revealed in His choice of Jacob and God’s “hatred” for Esau was seen in His rejecting Esau for the line of promise. Hatred in this sense is not absolute but relative to a higher choice (cf. Matt. 6:24; Luke 14:26; John 12:25).”^[c]

“The words Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated must be understood in the light of the sovereign decree of God that stated, The older shall serve the younger. The preference for Jacob is interpreted as an act of love, whereas bypassing Esau is seen as hatred by comparison. It is not that God hated Esau with a harsh, vindictive animosity, but only that He loved Esau less than Jacob, as seen by His sovereign selection of Jacob.

This passage refers to earthly blessings, and not to eternal life. God’s hatred of Edom doesn’t mean that individual Edomites can’t be saved, any more than His love of Israel means that individual Jews don’t need to be saved. (Note also that Esau did receive some earthly blessings, as he himself testified in Gen. 33:9.)”^[d]

    2.  God’s Callings Demonstrate His Absolute Sovereignty! 

In each case here (9:6-13), God rejected men who had been firstborn into patriarchal families. In each case the parent wished to see the rejected one inherit the promise. Abraham pleaded for Ishmael (Gen. 17:18) and Isaac attempted to pass the blessing on to Esau (Gen 27:1,4, 30, 33). 

In both cases God rejected the ideas, desires, works, efforts, physical origin, and plans of men to accomplish His sovereign will!  Why is it then, difficult to accept the fact that UNBELIEVING Israel has been set aside?  The point here is simple, God’s callings in the past are consistent with his present work in the world.  His plan of redemption still stands on the same principles.  Salvation by Grace through Faith!

CONCLUSION:

The entire redemptive economy of God rests upon the foundation of his unchanging nature and character, therefore we can rest without any prospect of disappointment! God is merciful, all-powerful, and faithful. He can be trusted!

God’s fairness with Israel can be observed in the believing minority and with the blinded majority.  It was God’s fathomless wisdom (Rom. 11:2-4) and finished work (Rom. 11:5-6) which served as the main factors among the believing minority.  In contrast, the blinded majority rejected Christ and fell under God’s judgment in the form of a national stupor, snares, and servitude in accordance with verses seven through nine of chapter eleven.  All of this demonstrates the fairness and consistency of the Lord in dealing with Israel. God governs Himself by fixed principles and pure righteousness always.

After looking at his record, can God still be trusted today?  The answer is absolutely…yes of course!  God has been faithful to His redemptive plan as demonstrated throughout the history of Israel. Therefore, we have every reason to believe He will be faithful to His promises to us.

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^[a] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1717.

^[b] John A. Witmer, “Romans,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 477.

^[c] John A. Witmer, “Romans,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 477.

^[d] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1717.

God's Cell Phone Number!

Jer. 33:1-9

Take God’s invitation to Prayer seriously, because it is one way we enter a deepening relationship with Him.  

1.  The cell phone is an extremely popular communication device. They boost of myriads of entertainment features and conveniences. They are so much a part of our technology and information age that we find it difficult to image life without them. Of course their grandest quality it that they permit us to stay in contact with friends and family anytime and anywhere as long as we have their number.

Well, God has a Cell Phone with universal access, Bluetooth, hands free headset, infrared, texting, touch screen, and voice activation. It is not a Blackberry, Nokia, or iPhone, but it is certainly a GPhone and His number is “Call Unto Me.”

2. In spite of the conveniences of the cell phone, communication is still a real problem. Actually a Failure to Communicate, is a Major Problem in Our technologically advanced World.

• So often we don’t say what we mean.
• We have difficulty putting our feelings into words.
• We leave people with misunderstanding.
• Some of us even expect others to read our minds.

Whether in our family, the workplace, the church, on Face Book, Twitter, or texting we have problems communicating. In our text, God issues an invitation to ‘call Him up’ to His servant.

3.  In Jeremiah 33:1–3, God’s issued a prayer invitation to His prophet (Stanley, C.).  It was given:

A. To a righteous man. All believers may pray, but it is “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man that availeth much” (James 5:16).  Prayer works when righteous people work it!

B.  To a beloved servant. If a heavy weight prophet of Jehovah needed to pray, then no believer knows so much or is so far spiritually advanced that he can discard the holy habit of prayer. Whenever you find it difficult to clear off time to pray or to make prayer a daily priority, ask yourself these questions:

1.  Am I too smart, too in control, too proud, too prosperous, too self-contained, too self-sufficient, or too discouraged to pray?

2.  Do I fail to communicate with God consistently because I don’t even try?  Why?

3.  Am I too frustrated, too isolated, too misunderstood, or too messed up to ask God for help?

Lesson: “CALL UNTO ME” (Jer. 33:3)

When God’s invitation came to Jeremiah, he was in prison for disagreeing with the king and leaders of Jerusalem. They wanted to align themselves with the Egyptians in order to defeat the invading Babylonians. But Jeremiah knew this was useless because the Lord had told him that Judah would be taken into captivity by the Babylonians for seventy years.

Jeremiah, therefore, recommended to King Zedekiah that they surrender peacefully and voluntarily (Jer. 32:1-5). God’s Word was already coming to pass, so there was no point in fighting against it. The leaders responded by putting Jeremiah in prison. His words sounded too much like treason and disloyalty.

But the Prophet still had access to the Lord.  As Jeremiah’s imprisonment dragged on, God’s word came to him again (Jer. 33:1). The sovereign God who created all things told the prophet, He would do “Great and mighty things! Just ask Me!” He was fully able to restore his people to their land and give them prosperity (Jer. 33:4-13), this would cause all nations to praise Him (Jer. 33:9).  This is the context for this wonderful and much welcomed invitation to cry out to the Lord who keeps His promises. There are three applications in this word of the Lord to Jeremiah, I’d like to make.

I.  CALL ME DURING THE TIMES YOU FEEL TRAPPED.

 Jeremiah 33:1,  Moreover the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

1.      Call When You Feel Closed In. (Sometimes we feel captive to our circumstances)

a.      The invitation came to Jeremiah in prison.

                                                      i.      Stone walls cannot shut out God from us, nor prevent our souls from rising in prayer to Him. No one can rob you of your choicest jewel—communion with Jehovah, your heavenly Father.

                                                     ii.      God often visits the soul in scenes of earthly distress to initiate dialog.

b.      No one or nothing can imprison the soul that longs for God.

                                                      i.      When people try to close you in with their rigid ideas and unfair expectations for your time, energy, money, and life.  God invites you to prayer.

                                                     ii.      When your options, opportunities, and hopes for positive changes dry up right before your eyes leaving you trapped where you don’t want to be in life; still God invites you to prayer.   

c.       God says, “Call unto Me.” There’s probably no better place for a person to catch up on his or her prayer life than behind bars!  I have had several former inmates confirm this reality!

2.      Call When You Feel All Alone.

a.       Jeremiah Felt Alone.  He was the only one declaring this message of surrender to the Babylonians.

                                                      i.      Often in standing on the Word and Promises of God we feel alone.  Very few others seem interested or motivated to see God truly at work.

                                                     ii.      Often in standing for what’s right, because God said its right, we stand alone.  It may be at school, home, work, in a relationship, and even on rare occasions at church.  God still invites us to “Call unto Me.”

                                                  iii.      Sometimes we find ourselves arguing with ourselves saying, “Why are there so few advocates for real spiritual change?” “Why isn’t there a great deal of spiritual energy from the masses of God’s people behind this?” “Why aren’t more believers concerned about this?”

b.      Sometimes We Feel Isolated. Although we may not be behind physical bars or residing in a public prison, we very often are isolated through a series of events or problems so that we find ourselves feeling alone in our circumstances—unable to connect with others in meaningful ways.

                                                      i.      In those times our attention very often turns to God.  This invitation came a second time to Jeremiah. God repeatedly invites his troubled people to turn to Him; He offers this open door to Him again and again. You see the prayers of yesterday will not make those of today unnecessary.

                                                     ii.      You may discover a wonderful and faithful companion in your Lord who will never leave you alone.  Spouses do deploy or pack up and leave, friends PCS and move away, children graduate and go off to college, and some relationships grow cold and unsatisfying.  But God says to you, “Call unto Me.”

                                                   iii.      There is nothing like feeling alone or abandoned to get our attention back on God and conversation with Him.

3.      Call When You Feel Desperate.

a.       In Desperate Times We Want an Escape.  Our cry when life slaps us with some desperation is usually, “God, get me out of this place” or “God, get me out of this mess.” Sometimes we may even attempt to barter with God, saying, in effect, “God, if you get me out of here, I will serve You better and read the Scripture and pray more than I have in the past. God I’m serious this time!”

b.      God Does Not Guarantee Escape! Notice this prayer invitation did not bring deliverance from trouble.

                                                      i.      Though God visited Jeremiah in prison once and again, the prophet still remained there.

                                                     ii.      We have no right to expect God to automatically remove our source of trouble or desperation. The Lord may find it better to bless us in our troubles.

                                                   iii.      Therefore, on the other hand, the continuation of the trouble is not evidence that we are deserted by God.  It is quite possible that the opposite is true, because “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.”

c.       The Desperate Circumstance May be From God. In reality, the “prison” in which we find ourselves may be the very place that God has designated for us to learn better how to serve Him, read the Bible, and pray more. This is especially true when the prison is one of our own making—a prison marked:

                                                      i.      By our sins, failures, character flaws, poor judgment, or errors.

                                                     ii.      By our lack of emotional control or forms of anger and bitterness—other emotional problems.

                                                   iii.      By our relationship problems—conflict, abuses, distrust, betrayal, poor friendship choices, a bad marriage that is getting worse, loneliness, and boredom.    

                                                   iv.      By our self-created financial problems and impulsive spending habits.

                                                    v.      By our self-inflicted health problems—poor diet, bad habits, alcohol, and drugs.

                                                   vi.      By our habitual neglect of God and the things of God!

d.      Our answer lies not in our deliverance from the problem, but in developing a relationship with God in the midst of the problem. Psalm 50:15, And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.  Remember God’s deliverance could take many forms, including a “prison.”

II. CALL ME DURING THE TIMES YOU FEEL PAIN.  Vs. 33:3

No doubt the rejection, mistreatment, isolation, and cruelty Jeremiah experience was quite painful for him. Certainly he felt cast aside and misunderstood. Yet, God made no mention of Jeremiah’s release from prison in this passage. He simply said, “Call unto Me.”

Centuries before King Solomon dedicated the temple he had constructed in Jerusalem. At that time he looked ahead and foresaw the many ways in which Israel would sin against God. Solomon knew that sin would have disastrous consequences, making God’s people vulnerable to foreign enemies, drought, and other disciplines. Solomon also knew that when God’s people began to feel the pain, they would finally turn back to God.  Likewise when we feel the pain, we desperately cry to God and try to live as good Christians (1 Kings 8:35, 36). So when we are feeling the pain, it’s time to call on God! But we need to realize something first:

1.      God is More Interested in Relationship Then Relief.

He is far more interested in building a relationship with us and communicating with us within our situation than He is in changing our circumstances or releasing us from our problems.

2.      God is More Interested in Maturity Then Miracles.

The lessons that we learn within life’s problems are valuable for all eternity. Lessons learned through pain can be some of our best teachers and stimulate significant growth in Christ. They are greater than any lessons we might learn from a miraculous deliverance from our pain, suffering, or trouble.

3.      God is More Interested in Prayer Then Pacifiers.

Psalm 50:15, And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

1. God calls us to pray within the struggles of life.  Prayer is the shortest distance between:

·        Problems and solutions. 

·        Difficulties and remedies. 

·        Questions and answers.

2. Use the pain you feel to prompt you to cry out to God! The distance between your knees and the floor is the shortest distance to seeing God at work in your life.
3. The Positive Side of Pain (A diary entry from a young lady)

June 6, 1992:

I talked with a young woman today who has been suffering with severe back pain. Her name is Dotty, and her doctor hasn't been able to find any cause for the pain (not that that's any surprise to me!). She was very scared. When I told her about what I have been going through for the past four years, she started to cry.

She said she didn't know how she would make it, and so I told her about God and prayed with her. I took her number so I could call her and talk with her some more. It's really been amazing how many people God has brought into my life to minister to through my problem. I'm beginning to see what God is doing in my life.

I've changed, too. I don't know how many people have told me I'm an inspiration. Sometimes I don't feel like an inspiration! I remember how I used to be, though. I think God has used my suffering to strip away some of my own childishness. When I hear some of the dumb statements or empty phrases from people, I think, “Before I would have probably said the same thing!” Now I understand so much better what other people with pain are going through since I've been there myself.

I know I'm closer to God after going through this whole experience. With all the time I've spent on my knees, I ought to be! But if I hadn't spent so much time praying and looking for insight, would I have the deep communion with my Lord that I now have? I don't think so. Not to mention, I've learned to turn to God when something goes wrong. I'm still not pleased about the pain I've had to go through, but I thank God that it hasn't been for nothing. Sometimes I'm almost grateful. (Timothy J. Richards, 1995: Real Life, Real People: Drawing comfort and inspiration from the experiences of Bible personalities)

III. CALL ME BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO.

Jeremiah 33:2, Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his name;

Though God is free of any needs, He still desires to spend time with us. Actually prayer does far more for us and God makes Himself available to us. But we should pray not only in our crisis situations and when the pressures of life place the squeeze on us, but to maintain a healthy growing relationship with God during the normal seasons.

1. God Desires to Emphasize His Power and Character in a Relationship with You.
1. His Power is Unparalleled! God stresses both His power and His character. He is the awesome mighty Creator-God (Jer. 32:17). What an encouragement to pray to Him!
2. His Faithfulness is Absolute! By revealing His name Lord (Yahweh), God emphasized His covenant-keeping faithfulness to His people (Jer. 32:18; Ex. 3:13-15). Thus, Jehovah’s very Name is a pledge of his faithfulness to his promises (Jer. 32:18).  He will be faithful to you also! He will never leave you nor forsake you—ever!
3. His Attraction is Undeniable. Everything about God makes it worth getting closer to Him and Conversing more with Him in Prayer!

                                                               i.      Don’t take Him for granted because He is Powerful and Faithful!

                                                             ii.      Establish a time and place to meet with Him regularly for brief chats and extended and deep communication. Start with brief periods, but also learn to pray on the fly through your day.

                                                            iii.      Make time with Him a priority—a daily date to share your soul with God—you don’t need to wait until you have a crisis before you come.

2. God Desires for us to Call on Him for His Salvation—to Accept a Relationship with Him.
1. Take Him at His Word. Jeremiah 33:8, And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.
2. Ask Him to Save You Today! Why not call on the Lord today in confession, in repentance, for forgiveness, to place your Faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and to begin a relationship with God. (See also Rom. 10:8-13, 17). Really you cannot pray to God until a relationship with Him begins through Faith in Jesus Christ.
3. Pray, “Thy Kingdom Come” (Matt. 6:10; Luke 11:2)! The Lord gave further glowing promises of restoration to Israel and Judah—the land will be repopulated with joyful people; the mountains will be enriched with flocks; and, best of all, the Messiah, “A Branch of righteousness” descended from David, will come. Jerusalem ... will be called THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jehovah gives His name to restored Israel, just as a man does to his bride and just as Christ does to the church (1 Cor. 12:12).—Believer’s Bible Commentary

  

3. God, Our Heavenly Father, Desires for us to Pray Because He Wants Us To. 
1. Jesus expects us to pray and the Bible commands us to pray. The Spirit helps us to pray. God wants us to pray.  He communicates awesome grace into the praying soul.
2. The God of the Universe and the God of Covenant wants you to spend time with Him often.
3. This is His invitation to prayer! Certainly “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).

Conclusion:

Accept the Lord God’s Invitation to Satisfying Fellowship With Himself.  Yes, Many People Have Problems Communicating with God. They are uncomfortable talking with God. They wonder if he has heard what they have said. They are confused or frustrated by their lack of ability to say what they mean. Some don’t even try to communicate (Stanley, C.).

This is the foremost problem in communication. The greatest obstacle in both our human relationships and our relationship with God is a failure to try to communicate. If a person never opens his mouth and his heart to others, communication is halted. Without an effort to start communicating, there can be no progress in one’s ability to communicate (Stanley, C.).

The Problem Is Not New. Repeatedly in the Bible, God invited His people to communicate with Him—Today He is seeking to open a dialogue with you. He wants to engage you in a deep heart-felt conversation. He wants to begin a faith-based relationship through Christ with you to afford you the privilege of prayer.  God is extending this invitation to you and me today.  “Call Unto Me!”

Remember God is NOT too Busy to Spend Time with You!  We think that God is off in a corner of the universe somewhere doing big things, or trying to keep nuclear wars from breaking out, or containing some evil angel rebellion, and that He doesn’t have time or interest for our petty matters. Nothing could be farther from the truth (Anders, M). An omniscient and omnipotent God has no trouble running the universe and still having time for us. We are the reason everything about prayer exists in the first place. We are not an afterthought or secondary interest for God. We are “it” as His children.  The Bible teaches we are the ‘apple of God’s eye.’ (Duet. 32:10; Zech. 2:8).  Outside of Himself, nothing is more important than we are. He wants us to pray. So, take a moment and call God up!