ROMANS 9 – SPIRITUAL ISRAEL

Paul had previously taught that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1) and that nothing (no outside force) can separate them (God’s children) from the love of God (see 8:39). Thus he begins chapter 9 teaching that this leaves his kinsmen (fellow Jews) in the horrible position of being separated from the Lord. They were not in Christ. He had such anguish about their status that his desire was to trade positions with them, if in fact that were a possibility (see vv. 2-3).

In verses 4 and 5, Paul alludes to the rich spiritual heritage of his kinsmen as they were selected and used as a special people for God’s purposes and blessed so greatly. Their rejection, of course, of the Christ whom the law pointed toward, was not a failure of the Word of Almighty God (v. 6), but their failure and their choice.

Even though God’s chosen people had largely rejected Him, all was not lost. The Lord was able to use the Jews as an instrument to reach the Gentiles. A true spiritual Israel is raised up from physical Israel.

Some have mistakenly understood the concept of “election” (v. 11) as God arbitrarily selecting individuals to be lost or saved. This is contrary to the freewill that God has placed in mankind. His selection of Jacob, whom he “loved,” over Esau, whom he “hated” (v. 13), has to do with how He would use these individuals to bring about salvation. He chose to use Jacob rather than Esau. These, and other verses here in Romans 9 (as well as elsewhere), have nothing to do with an arbitrary salvation by the hand of God.

But God in His infinite foreknowledge can use whomever He wills. He knows them even before they are born. This was true of Jacob and Esau (see v. 12). It was also true of Pharaoh (v. 17).
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Paul, anticipating questions about these matters, responds by asking who they are to question God (see vv. 19-20). In verse 21 he states, “Has the potter no right over the clay…?” Strange it would be if a piece of ceramic could give instruction to the one who formed it!

In verse 22, Paul mentions “vessels of wrath prepared for destruction” that are to be used to make known His glory (v. 23). Many scholars suggest this expression carries the idea that they have fitted or prepared themselves for destruction. God had indeed demonstrated great forbearance with Israel, not desiring them to inherit wrath, but to be saved from it as He does all mankind (see 1 Tim. 2:4).

Not withstanding, it seems one of our difficulties with this concept is in regards to God’s perfect knowledge and utilization of people in complete harmony with their freewill. Though we may not fully grasp the concept, we know that the God of all the earth will do right, and only right (see Gen. 18:25). May we choose to work within the scope of His will, receiving His dear Son, and thus be recipients of the grace He wishes to bestow upon us.

Daren Schroeder

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