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Romans chapters 9-11

 THE JEWS IN THE BOOK OF romans.

3. THE SYNAGOGUE OF ISRAEL.  
GOD’S WISDOM. Explanation and Vindication.

INTRODUCTION:...............START OF CHAPTER  9

In our study of the book of Romans THE JEWS play a major part. As we look at many passages in the book of Roman, the whole picture emerges. God’s plan for the Jewish nation of Israel comes forth, as also does God’s plan for individuals who make up the nation, which is the Lord’s Chosen People. God brings in the GENTILES; the JEWS, as a religious system, are set-aside for a season. 

Romans chapters 9-11 are THE SYNAGOGUE OF ISRAEL chapters. God’s wisdom, explanation and vindication. Back in the COURT HOUSE OF LAW chapters 1-5, we first see the Jews as being declared guilty before the Judge (the Lord Jesus Christ) along with all men. The Jews are found “fallen short” of God’s glory, just as every man on earth is. The Hebrew, a religious man, is accounted to be guilty of high treason against the Creator, as we see in THE COURT RECORD of Romans 2:17-3:8. 

As we start the chapters 9-11 of the Synagogue of Israel section in Romans we get an introduction,

which discusses two problems:

1. Israel had rejected Christ Jesus as the Messiah!
2. Because this had happened, how now can the coming kingdom of earth be established with Israel as the head nation of the earth? This kingdom will have the Messiah Israel has rejected, reigning for a thousand years. Paul brings God’s answer to this dilemma. Paul knows that unbelieving Jews will conclude that he is wrong, anyway, in identifying Christ as the Messiah at all! But, believing Jews might be discouraged into thinking that the Lord must fail in His plan for the nation of Israel, who has fallen so far into actual rejection of their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The history of that period when Paul was writing Romans is of great importance here. The Jewish rejection of Christ as Messiah, at first, did not seem serious to the early church. 3,000 Jews were saved at Pentecost, and then the numbers was 5,000 and among those were priests in Jerusalem (Acts 4:4; 6:7). It would have appeared to the early disciples that soon all Israel would be saved, and that the rejection of Christ would be overthrown. They would have thought the “day of the Lord” was at hand. He, Who was to come to establish the kingdom of Heaven on earth, and so Israel, would be head over all the earth as a nation controlled by the Reigning Messiah (Acts 2:16-21). Then the Jews stoned Stephen, that glorious Christian believer, beloved of God, to death, and James the apostle was also killed (See Acts 7:57-60; Acts 12:2). The Jews were going about breathing fire at the Christian believers; many Christian leaders had been jailed! Paul could see that Israel was continuing in its denial of Christ Jesus as Messiah!! 

Paul did not write as though THE CHURCH had become Israel, as some erroneously teach. If that were so then there would have existed no problems to write about in regard to Israel and the Jewish people.  Here we can quote from Willmington, whose Bible Study Guide has gleaned so much of interest and enlightenment for our studies here:

“What would now happen?

 Would the tiny ‘workshop of Israel’ be torn down during the ‘age of grace’? Paul clearly and concisely answers these questions in chapters 9-11.”

The answers are very important for us today, as there is much activity amongst the Jews and  “Hebrew Roots” groups to bring an unbiblical emphasis into the churches of Christendom. The urging to become a Judaic Christian is strong in many quarters, but the Bible shows that Judaism and Christianity can never be mixed. Nor can the Church of Jesus Christ believe in “replacement theology” which is also unbiblical, on the other side of the coin. The Church has NOT replaced Israel, and God’s beautiful balance and perfect agenda is shown in His Word. Romans 9-11 work steadily through to answer all our questions, and give us full satisfaction on the Jewish quandary.

CHAPTER NINE OF romans

 Paul confesses his grief and depression in 9:1-3.

His heart is heavy for Israel, and he continually sorrows for his people. The sinful condition, which Paul is distressed over shows in him, a heaviness, which is, very like that which Moses experienced. See Exodus 32:31,32. Christ Himself was deeply grieved over Israel’s sin:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matthew 23:37, 38). 

Then Paul recites the NINEFOLD advantages that Israel has in 9:4,5.

How could these people reject the Messiah?

Indeed, with Paul we can only wonder and grieve too: 

1. Israel was a chosen nation; they were supposed to have great power with God (Deut. 7:6; Gen. 32:38).
2. . The whole of Israel as a nation had been adopted by the Lord, just because of His mercy and His favour alone (Ex.4: 22; Deut.14:1; Jer.31:9).
3. Israel had THE GLORY, the Shekinah cloud. This was the very Presence of the Almighty with them, the Luminous, the radiance of the Lord. Here we can look at the Old Testament to understand the great privilege this nation of Israel had enjoyed:
1. The cloud had led Israel across the wilderness of the desert (Ex.13:21; Num. 9:17-22);
2. The cloud of God’s Presence had protected Israel at the Red Sea (Ex.14:19,20,24);
3. The cloud had filled the Tabernacle when Moses was dedicated (Ex.40: 34-48);
4. It filled the Temple when Solomon was dedicated (1 Kings 8:10, 11; 11Chron. 5:13,14);
5. This cloud had been removed during Ezekiel’s time (Ezek.10).
4. Israel had the covenants from Jehovah:
1. The Abrahamic Covenant – God promising that Israel would be a mighty nation
   (Gen. 12:2,3,7; 13:14-17; 15:5, 18; 17:8).
2. The Palestinian Covenant – God promising a LAND (Deut. 30:3);
3. The Davidic Covenant – promising an eternal kingdom 
   ( 11 Samuel 7:12-16; 23:5; 11 Chron.13:5)
4. Then, also God had promised ISRAEL the NEW Covenant, which they in the majority rejected. The promise of NEW HEARTS (Jer. 31:31-34).
5. Israel had been given the LAW by God (Ex.20; Deut. 5).
6. Israel had been chosen by God to be His servants. It was Israel that ministered in the Tabernacle and the Temple.
7. Israel had the glorious promises of the Lord, written by their own prophets in the Old Testament Scriptures. GOD had shown them how, where and why Christ would be born, and how He would reign in the Millennium period (Isaiah 9:6,7).
8. Israel had the glorious FATHERS of the Faith; these were regenerate people. Such spiritual giants as Abraham, Moses, David, Jeremiah and so on.
9. Above all this Chosen Nation was the line that led to the incarnation of God the Son in the flesh (Matt. 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38).

THE O.T. PROPHETS FORETOLD THE BLINDING OF ISRAEL,

AND THE MERCY OF GOD TO THE GENTILES. 

Paul, as a writer of the Scriptures that are the New Testament, has, as a former Jew himself, a great understanding of God’s purposes for Israel. The New Testament does NOT discard the Jews, nor do the authors teach “Anti-Semitism” as foolish people can teach in these strange days of the end times. Paul simply brings before his readers the truth about the Jews and their relationship to the Lord.

The FIVEFOLD EXAMPLE OF HISTORY is then brought forth for us to consider.

God has shown His mighty favour and power towards His Chosen people, but they are blind: 

1. See Ishmael and Isaac (9:6, 7). God’s choice was Isaac over Ishmael, the elder son.Isaac descendants would be the citizens of God’s Chosen Nation, they alone.
2. Another example is given, Esau and Jacob (9:10-13). God sovereignty is seen again, HE chooses whom He will! Consider verse 13. Some have been confused about this verse, “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Does God hate some men without reason? Even when they are boys? Obviously not. But the Bible shows us that God was referring to the NATIONS, which Esau and Jacob founded – Israel and Edom.

Where is this Old Testament quote found? It is in Malachi 1:2-5: 

“The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.” ( Malachi 1:1-5). 

Obadiah tells us why God hated Edom. Have a look and find out why! It was because of the greatness of Edom. 

3. Another example of God’s favour, grace and sovereignty comes before Paul’s readers. Pharaoh. God determined to pardon sinful Israel, but He determined to punish sinful Pharaoh. How much Israel owes the Lord, and how grateful and obedient they should have been. Yet they are BLIND! See 9:15- 9:17. We see here DESERVED punishment, and UNDESERVED grace.

You might have objections, questions like “why?” Paul answers these for us.

God is not unrighteous in His dealings with Pharaoh. On at least seven occasions the Bible tells us God hardened the heart of Pharaoh! What can we understand about such a thing as this! See the book of Exodus, 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1. 20, 27; 11:10. It is a difficult question which cannot be fully grasped. 

Here we will look to Willmington’s Bible Guide:

“The manner in which a given object will react when confronted by an outside influence is wholly dependent upon the nature of that object. For example, imagine a winter scene. Yonder is a frozen river. On either side is a bank of yellow clay. Suddenly the sun comes from behind the clouds and shines brightly down upon the river and the banks. What happens next? The reaction is this, the ice will melt but the clay will harden. Thus we see in nature the same outside, heavenly influence softening one object but hardening the other. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that on four occasions we are informed the Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Ex. 7:22; 8:15,19; 9:35).”

It is interesting to realize that the word “hardeneth” in 9:18 is kabed, and is translated “heavy” in Exodus 17:12; 18:18; Psalm 38:4; Isaiah 1:4. If we translate it thus in the case of Pharaoh, we get a “heavy” heart, one that is burdened down with sin and misery. God made Pharaoh’s heart heavy! 

Romans 9:22,33:

Then Paul goes into a discussion on the WILL OF GOD versus free will of man. A deep discussion, which can become a puzzler. The theological emphasis of ARMINIANISM views man’s free-will as governing mankind, with the sovereignty of God’s will being down-played. The theological emphasis called by many CALVINISM views mankind and his relationship with God being governed by GOD”S SOVEREIGN WILL, and man’s free-will is down-played. Where does the truth lie? In a balance, surely, but we are dealing with heavenly things, and our finite minds cannot know what God knows – only what He sees fit to reveal. Paul points out that God is the potter, and He can choose what vessel He makes – “a vessel of mercy” or “a vessel of wrath fitted to destruction.” The latter is in the middle voice, Willmington informs us, which has the meaning, “to fit oneself.” In 9:21 we can see something comforting and reassuring. Paul does not say God actually made the clay what it  was, God worked with it. (See Jeremiah 18:1-6; Isaiah 45:9; 64:6-8). God knows beforehand what a person will want and do. He knows who will harden their hearts, and who will melt before Him. He works with the choices we make; He does not create and instigate those choices in a haphazard way. We should remember that HELL is deserved by sinful men, but HEAVEN is undeserved by anyone, and all is of GRACE if we gain that destiny. 

4. MORE examples of the fantastic sovereign will of God in His dealings with men, and Israel. Again we are seeing how gracious God has been to the Chosen Nation who has rejected the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Their BLINDNESS is judicial! This time it is HOSEA (9:24-26). Hosea predicted that God would call out a “people which are not my people” (9:25 and note Hosea 1:10;2:23). How is God’s sovereign WILL shown here? In reference to the SAVED GENTILES – which includes (thank the Lord) YOU and ME! See 1 Peter 2:9,10.
5. An example follows of God’s sovereign will, this time it is ISAIAH (9:27-29).

What did Isaiah predict? He told of the coming time when the Israelites would see a Remnant only being  saved, by God’s grace and foreknowledge:

“Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.” ( Isaiah 1:9). 

WHAT CONCLUSIONS ARE REACHED BY PAUL? 

These are shown in 9:30-33. Here is the crunch, and GOD is the One, Who has brought this about, because it is HIS will. Who can challenge Him about His grace and sovereignty? 

There are TWO conclusions Paul comes to:

1. THE GENTILES, only through faith and grace, had attained righteousness! And they had done so without even seeking it! GOD had had mercy upon them.
2. THE JEWS, through the law, had NOT attained unto righteousness - even those who had sought it diligently! They were looking for the mighty Lion of Judah to sweep them to political victory, GOD had presented to them a humble, suffering, bleeding Lamb. The Jews had wanted the throne of the world right now; GOD had offered them the victory of the Cross of shame. They are BLIND.

romans NINE  AND TEN GO TOGETHER LIKE A HORSE AND CARRIAGE! 

Chapter Nine shows us WHY SOME JEWS get saved, and Chapter Ten patiently explains to us WHY MOST ARE LOST! Chapter ten is a thrilling explosion of praise for the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sin of the world.

It shows HIM to be the real source of all righteousness, not the Jewish Law. 

How important this chapter is if we are to keep ourselves firmly standing in GRACE alone, and not be tempted to fall into the traps of those who would Judaize the churches in the 21^st century. 

FREEDOM IN CHRIST JESUS NOT THE LAW

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