Dec 1, 2019
Originally Presented: Jan 13, 2008
Scripture Reading: Romans 9:1-6
The question that Romans 9-11 answers is the question of the future of the people of Israel, God's own chosen people. Having rejected Christ the Jews now live separated from God and unable, in their present state, to have any intimate communion with Him. Why have they not embraced Christ? What will become of the people of Israel? What does this mean for the integrity of the promises of God? Romans 9-11 answers these question in glorious fashion.
Paul begins his discussion with an impassioned declaration that he would be willing to, himself, bear the eternal curse of Christ if it meant that the people of Israel would be saved. Such an exchange is, of course, not possible (cf. Rom 8:35-39), but Paul's heartache is obvious in these verses. He uses the words "great sorrow" and "unceasing grief" to describe his anguish concerning the plight of the Jews.
One surprising thing is that the Jews have rejected their Messiah in spite of multiplied and wondrous spiritual privileges, which God had given to no other nation. These privileges are described in Romans 9:4,5 … the covenants, the Law, the temple, the promises. Why had they not responded to Christ in faith?
To that question Paul gives a divine answer (Rom 9:6-29) and a human answer (Rom 9:30-10:21). But the foundational doctrine presented here, in answer to that question, is that the Word of God has not failed.