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Mar 22, 2020

Originally Presented: June 1st, 2008

Scripture Reading: Romans: 11:30-36

After eleven chapters of what is the fullest, most exquisite presentation of the gospel of Christ in all the Bible, it is no wonder that the writer of Romans breaks out in a glorious doxology in Romans 11:33-36.  What he exclaims is especially relevant following Romans 9-11, which are among the most mysterious chapters in the Bible.

The first exclamation is the declaration that there is a depth to the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God.  The second exclamation is that God's ways, based on His infinite knowledge and wisdom, are unfathomable.  We cannot go very far in our understanding of God's ways before they become a mystery to us.

Paul punctuates these exclamations with three rhetorical questions, each expecting a negative answer (Rom 11:34,35).  Stated positively, no one knows God's mind and no one can be His counselor and no one can add anything to Him or give Him something He does not have.

The reason for the exclamations and the implications in the rhetorical questions is found in the grand statement found in the last verse of the chapter.  "For [or because] from Him and through Him and to Him are all things."  God is the source of everything and He is the sustaining force beneath everything and His glory is the ultimate goal of everything.  The doxology ends, appropriately, with the exclamation . . . "To Him be the glory forever. Amen."

The glory of God is the reason for the universe.  It ought to be the reason for our lives … every day.