Romans - Chapter 9

This is God’s show…we’re just players in it.

Romans – Chapter 9

Review

1. What was Chapter 1 about?

1. Gospel
2. Discusses how bad the Gentiles are (remember: “Greeks and barbarians”)?

2. What’s Chapter 2 about?
1. Judgment – God’s Judgment falls on all.
2. Jews aren’t much better than the Gentiles from Chapter 1
3. Chapter 3?
1. Justification
2. Faith through Salvation, not works
3. Works are THE FRUIT of Salvation through Faith (in Jesus Christ)
4. Chapter 4?
1. Faith
2. …Of their fathers (Abraham and David)
3. Shouldn’t be a new concept for them.
5. Chapter 5?
1. Result of Justification
2. We receive benefits.  Jesus is contrasted (mostly) with Adam
6. Chapter 6?
1. Life and Death – Believer’s Style
2. Alive in Christ, dead to sin.
7. Chapter 7?
1. Our Motivation – The Law motivates by Fear.  God-followers are motivated by Love.
8. Chapter 8?
1. Our Position with God in the Spirit.

Introduction

1. What’s your opinion of Romans (thus far)?  Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?
2. How did you all do this week reading Romans?
3. What is your opinion of this chapter?  Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
1. There’s lots of “stuff” in this chapter – many topics, etc.
4.  Draw a picture about where we are so far:
1. Unrighteous / Righteous (Chapter 1) 
2. Judgement (Chapter 2)
3. Justification (Chapter 3)
4. Example of Justification by Faith – Abraham (Chapter 4)
5. Sin / Death / Adam (Chapter 5)
6. Death to Sin at Conversion (Chapter 6)
7. Death to Law at Conversion (Chapter 7)
8. What does this “picture” look like?  It’s the Christian’s life.  This is the Gospel.
5. Can you group any of these chapters together?
1. 1-5 deal with justification / conversion, ie “getting” saved
2. 6-8 deal with sanctification - “living” saved.
3. Chapters 1-3:20 deal primarily with God.
4. Chapters 3:21-7 deal primarily with Jesus Christ.
5. Chapter 8 - introduces the Holy Spirit
6. J. Vernon McGee says “Romans chapters 1-8 are doctrinal.  Romans chapters 9-11 are dispensational.  Romans chapters 12-16 are duty.  The first eight chapters of Romans emphasize faith.  Chapters 9-11 emphasize hope.  Chapters 12-16 emphasize love.  There is another way to view Romans: the first section deals with salvation; the second section with segregation; and the last section with service.” (Thru the Bible, vol. 4 pp 708)

Lesson

1. vv. 1-3 [READ – Rom 9:1-3]
1. Compare this with the end of Chapter 8.  We ended Ch 8 in triumph and empowerment because we can never be separated from God.  In Chapter 9, Paul is speaking VERY differently.
2. V 3 – Paul states that he wishes that he was cut off from Christ.  However, he describes what can (or rather cannot) separate us from Christ at the end of Chapter 8.  Is Paul going mad?  Is he being ironic?  What’s his point?

                                                               i.      I believe Paul is saying that he would sacrifice his own relationship with Christ (and be separated from Him) if it meant that his “brethren” would come to the same knowledge (of Christ) that Paul has.

2. vv. 4-13 [READ – Rom 9:4-13]
1. Benefits and Identity of Israelites

                                                               i.      Adoption as sons – God adopted the entire nation as His chosen people.

                                                             ii.      Glory – Only the Jews saw the glory of God (ie Exodus 40:35)

                                                            iii.      Covenants

                                                            iv.      The Law

                                                             v.      Temple Service

                                                            vi.      Promises

                                                          vii.      The Fathers – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob

                                                         viii.      Christ descendant (ie John 4:9 – woman at well calls Jesus a Jew)

                                                            ix.      Blessed forever.

2. V 6 – Not all of the descendants of Israel is the “true” Israel, especially not the Israel that understands and accepts what is described in v 4-5.   Because the descendants of Israel don’t accept these things, is that a failure of the Word of God?  No.  Just like our discussion with the Law, it’s not a failure – people are the failure.  Our sinful nature, identified by the Law and the Word, is the failure.  We cannot measure up to the standard of the Law and the Word, but it doesn’t make the Law or Word invalid.
3. V 7 – Are all children of Abraham God’s chosen people?  No.  God’s chosen people are the line of Isaac.  However, many Jews “forget” or ignore that there are other non-Jews that are of Abraham’s line (Midianites, Edomites, Ishmaelites…) 
4. V 8 – “the promise”- what promise?  See v 9.  Let’s look at that first.
5. V 9 & 10 – the story of Jacob and Esau, starting with the birth of Isaac.  This story is first mentioned in Ch 4 (Abraham as an example of faith). 
6. V 11 – the twins had not done good or evil, but God makes a distinction between them:

                                                               i.      The older will serve the younger (Esau will serve Jacob) – v 12

                                                             ii.      Jacob was loved by God.  Esau was “hated”.  In Jewish culture, this meant “loved less” rather than despised to the point of apathy of their death (as we usually think of this word today). – v 13

                                                            iii.      Why does God make this distinction?  Can you understand why God may have not loved Esau as much?  Sure.  But why did he love Jacob more?  See v 11b

7. God loved the boys as He did because He wanted to, basically.  He chose to (“according to His choice”).  He can do that.  He’s God.
8. Was it based on something the boys did?  No (“not because of works”).  It was because of “Him who calls”.
2. vv. 14-18 [READ – Rom 9:14-18]
1. Is God being unjust?  How is this question asked?  Because of God’s preference (seemingly without cause) between Jacob and Esau.
2. Of course, the answer is no. Because we cannot reconcile election and free will, does that mean it’s irreconcilable?
3. God does what He wants, as He wants, to whom He wants, when He wants, how He wants.  It’s not because we “will” it or because we “run” (put forth an effort).
4. Pharaoh was “used” by God, but not “elected” by God.  Why?  So God could show His power THROUGH Pharaoh.  God knew Pharaoh and what he wanted in his heart.  He (God) allowed/forced Pharaoh to do what he wanted.  God knew he wouldn’t have accepted God anyway. God did not force Pharaoh into a decision.  Pharaoh had that position/decision anyway.  God simply “enforced” it.  Therefore, it was Pharaoh’s decision (free choice/free will) to reject God’s lead.
5. The definition of the origin of “harden” means “to render stubborn”.  It does not imply “to force a position”.  It was Pharaoh’s position to start with.  God just firmed it up.
3. vv. 19-29 [READ – Rom 9:19-29]
1. Logical?  Yes.  If God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, how can God hold Pharaoh accountable?  In one sense, he was doing God’s will.
2. However, is our logic enough to reason with God’s purpose?  Of course not.  It is our position to have faith in Him and His will and direction.
3. What’s wrong with this line of questioning?  Who can request God to answer him?  No one!  What boundaries does God work in?  Ours?  Hardly.  Only His own.  God’s boundaries (if there is such a thing) are beyond ours and our understanding.  There is mystery and majesty of His capability and purposes.  (How many stars have you hung?  How many leaves have you formed?  Can you raise a mountain?  (McGee, pp 714))
4. “vessels of wrath” – what are the “vessels of wrath”?  Compared with “vessels of mercy”? – Most scholars agree that this is the Jewish nation that was destroyed in 70 A.D. (Luke 23:34)  The “vessels of mercy” are the remnant that God spared.
5. Based on v 24, do you think the remnant/vessels of mercy means only Jews were spared or both Jew and Gentile?
6. V 25-29 – references back to v 6.

                                                               i.      V 25 – Hosea 2:21-23

                                                             ii.      V 26 – Hosea 1:8-10

                                                            iii.      V 27-28 – Isaiah 10:20-23

                                                            iv.      V 29 – Isaiah 1:1-9 (esp v 9)

7. What does this passage and these reference convey?

                                                               i.      God’s “people” are not just Jews, but those who follow Him. (v 25 & 26)

                                                             ii.      There will be a remnant.

                                                            iii.      Even Israel would have turned out like Sodom and Gomorrah had God not shown mercy and retained a remnant.

5. vv. 30-33 [READ – Rom 9:30-33]
1. This is the great irony of the Gospel.  Work towards salvation and you will not find it.  Believe in Christ and have faith in Him, and you shall.  The Gentiles did not do the “work” that the Jews did with the Law, yet the Gentiles still can receive righteousness (by faith).
2. But those that had the Law (Jews) did not receive righteousness even though they pursued it through attempting to achieve the standards of the Mosaic Law.  Why?  “They stumbled over the stumbling stone.”  What is “the stumbling stone” for the Jews?  Jesus.  They (Jews) struggle with the works vs. faith issue.
3. Is this relevant today?  Sure.  “Religious” people are likely harder to bring to faith in Christ than people completely devoid of any religious knowledge or beliefs. 
4. V 33 – (reference to Isaiah 28:26 and Isaiah 8:24). 

Summary

1. What’s your key verse?
1. v 8 (v 16 & 24 also good candidates)
2. What do you think now of this Chapter?
1. It’s intense.  I think it encourages me to trust God more.  He is in control.  I can’t hold a candle to His understanding.  It’s not for me to question, but to obey and accept.
3. What can you do now, starting Monday, to realize Chapter 9 in your life?

Print | posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 2:14 PM |