#1642 Romans 9 Part 5 Tripping Rocks

 

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, laid hold of righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not attain that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written,

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,

And the one who believes upon Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 9: 30-33 LSB

Romans 9: 30-33

V. 30 Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, laid hold of righteousness - A people separated from the common wealth of Israel, outside of the circumcision, not having the Law or the prophets. They did not pursue righteousness by way of the law which they did not know. These were lost on a whole other level, raised to worship idols and to commit those acts which God had deemed worthy of eternal punishment. 

William Newell (Romans 9) summarizes God's sovereignty in election:

1. Man was lost-he could not save himself.

2. He was guilty-none could pardon him but the God he had sinned against.

3 He was by nature "a child of wrath" not deserving good; nor being able to change his nature. He was allied with God's Enemy; and had a mind at enmity against God: a mind not subject, nor able to be subject to God's law or will.

5. He knew he was doing things "worthy of death"; but not only persisted in them, but was in league-approval with those of like practice; he was "of the world, " not of God.

6. Therefore, if any move be made toward man's salvation, it must come from God, not man.

7. God, being God, knew beforehand that the attitude of every man by nature toward his overtures would be to oppose them.

8. Since any real response to these overtures, therefore, must come from God's grace, He must elect to overcome effectually man's resistance, either: (a) In no case, (b) Or, in every case, (c) Or, in certain cases.

9. To hold God unable to overcome man's resistance in any case is to limit His power.

10. But to hold that God is unwilling to have certain saved is to deny His repeated word-

"Who would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth";

"As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live."

11. Therefore, it would seem that only in those cases in which it would no longer be consistent with God's glory-that is, consistent with His holiness and righteousness, and His just government of His creatures, would God withhold, or refuse longer to employ. His gracious operations in behalf of any creature.

12. But, when we consider Election, we must remove our thoughts wholly from this world, the first Adam, the sin of man, and his "attitude" toward God. The purpose of God according to Election is "not of works, but of Him that calleth." It is outside human history altogether. - Newell from Precept Austin

Paul has started his letter to the Romans with the indictment, the reality of man's fallen nature. He has shown that salvation is unattainable through merit or human will. Paul's message is that of justification by faith alone, the object of that faith being Christ, His works, not mine, His life in place of mine.  

18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.…

…21For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.…

…24Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. 26For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.…

…27Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,…

…30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. 31They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. 32Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.… Romans 9: 18-32

11Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— 12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.… Ephesians 2: 11-13

17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 19Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.… Ephesians 4: 17-19

V. 30b Even the righteousness which is by faith - It was by grace they were saved, through faith, and that, not of themselves, for it was the gift of God and not of works lest they should boast. Abraham didn't believe of his own, in fact he had to be brought to that faith. He trusted God to leave his country in search of another, but when it came down to the promise of Isaac, Abraham tried to make another way through Ishmael. Sarah laughed at first, but she too was brought to that faith. Abraham believed before he had the sign of circumcision, that sign of separation from the world, of being set apart. God graciously brought him to believe in Him and that was accounted to Abraham as righteousness. Even the Jewish sacrificial system points to faith, to putting your hope in the life and death of another. Those all pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, and that our works would never be satisfactory. Our works are all tainted by sin, by ingratitude, our inability to see ourselves in our proper place and to hold redemption so high as it warrants. We do not have the capacity in ourselves to view God aright or to love Him as we ought. 

21But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,… Romans 3: 21-23

…9Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10In what context was it credited? Was it after his circumcision, or before? It was not after, but before. 11And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.… Romans 4: 9-11

12And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,… Romans 4: 12-14

1Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. 2 This is why the ancients were commended. 3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.…

4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “ He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.…

7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. 9By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.…

…10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.… Hebrews 11: 1-12

V. 31 But Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness - The law was never intended to save, only to show man that he was hopelessly lost. It was the bar to convict us of our unrighteousness.

V. 32 They did not pursue it by faith - The law should have informed them of their state, which should have led to mourning over their sin, and turning to God for salvation. Instead they elevated the laws which they kept, invented new laws, and ended up with a horizontal religion, reliant upon the respect of their circles. I may fool you, and you may reflect back to me, and say, "Ah, Calvin is a good man, I saw him measuring and paying a tithe of his mint and cumin today." We are so easily deceived by others because we are already self deceived. The thing that all who are saved come to, whether Jew or Greek, is that we can't do it, can't be good enough, can't save ourselves, that we rely upon the righteousness of Christ. We need a Mediator, a Savior.

…27Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” 28Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”… John 6: 27-29

V. 33 A stone of stumbling - For those who trust in their own ability to keep the law, who think that they have lived up to it, a Savior from sin will be a point of contention and confusion. They have chosen another way. The verse goes on to call the Stone, Him, and the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame. This points to Christ, Who they rejected, and Who most of the world still rejects to this day. We are told that His own rejected Him, but many in the world today call Him a crutch, the cults speak of another Christ Who is not God the Son, and many in the so called church today make up a Christ after their own image as well. The real Christ is a stumbling stone for most. 

…13The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded. 14And He will be a sanctuary— but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare. 15Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be ensnared and captured.”… Isaiah 8: 13-15

…15For you said, “We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” 16So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken. 17I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place.… Isaiah 28: 15-17

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#1641 Romans 9 Part 4 Why Does He Still Find Fault

 

19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? Will the thing molded say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this”? 21 Or does not the potter have authority over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 And what if God, wanting to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath having been prepared for destruction, 23 and in order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles? 25 As He says also in Hosea,

“I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’

And her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’”

26 “And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’

There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved; 28 for the Lord will execute His word on the land, thoroughly and quickly.” 29 And just as Isaiah foretold,

“Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left to us a seed,

We would have become like Sodom, and would have resembled Gomorrah.” Romans 9: 19-29 LSB

romans 9: 19-29

V. 19 Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will? - The argument is, "if God is sovereign in salvation, if no one comes that He does not call and gift with faith to believe, then why does He still hold sinners accountable?" The other part of this question, and I hate to even speak it now, is in the hearts and minds of those in rebellion, not truly seeking to know God, an accusation, "does this not make God the Author of sin?" This falls apart in that God made man a moral being and good, but gave him instruction as to evil. He could avoid death, which is the wages of sin, by not eating the fruit of one tree in the garden. This is the first and last time man knew true "free will", because after he chased and nurtured the thought of autonomy in his mind, this is where sin started, when man questioned God and this is when he fell and all Adam's seed with him. This is when human will became the bondservant of sin, and we died to righteousness. Once we do realize that there is a God, and that we do sin, then we still would like to push the responsibility back on Him rather than repenting of our sin. For some they say, "the devil made me do it' and others here would seem to say, 'God made me do it." God would say that both are wrong. 

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. 13When tempted, no one should say, “ God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.… James 1: 12-14

34But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” 36At the same time my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and surpassing greatness was added to me.… Daniel 4: 34-36

Vs. 20-21 Who are you O man, who answers back to God - There are a lot of cage shakers out there who believe they have come to a perfect understanding of the doctrines of election. There are many on both sides of the argument that refuse to acknowledge what Paul is bluntly stating here, that there are aspects of this that are above our pay grade. Every hair of human autonomy wants to stand up on the neck of every man at this, but here it is, you are not God, He is the eternal, infinite being and you are a finite creature. You have a beginning, and you may also come to great heights in your understanding, but they will be always fall infinitely short of the wisdom of God. 

…7Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6: 7-8

…2“Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge? 3Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. 4Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.… Job 38: 2-4

…19For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.… 1 Corinthians 1: 19-21

Henry Morris - We have no right to ask God: "Why?" Remember that He answered Job's pleas for understanding merely by reminding Job of the fact of creation (Job 38-41). As our great Potter, He has the right to make His pottery vessels both for honor and dishonor (Ro 9:21). We who have been redeemed by His mercy should be grateful that He chose us even before the world began (Ep1:3, 4, 2Ti1:9), confident that He--by whatever means He chooses--is preparing His "vessels of mercy" (Ro 9:23) to receive the full manifestation of His glory in the ages to come (Ep 2:10). The fact that our finite minds cannot comprehend the simultaneous operation of divine election and human responsibility is irrelevant. Both Scripture and human experience demonstrate both to be true. We must both rest in that fact and act in light of it. - Precept Austin

…9Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? 10Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What have you begotten?’ or to his mother, ‘What have you brought forth?’” 11Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: “How dare you question Me about My sons, or instruct Me in the work of My hands?… Isaiah 45: 9-11

V. 22 Wanting to demonstrate His wrath - God's wrath is always tied to His justice, and His holiness or otherliness. He has said what sin is, and He need not change His stance since it is from eternity. The first time someone sins then they could and should legally die, and as I have stated before, this could have very well and reasonably occurred in the garden. The moment Adam and Eve sinned it should have all come to an end, and that would have been just, but it didn't. So Paul goes on to say that God had the prerogative in doing this, not only to show His wrath, this part of His just nature which opposes sin, but also His power. The Bible is God's story, His very breath breathed into the quill and ink of Holy Script, telling us of His great power to save, displaying His redemptive plan. He endures vessels of wrath, even causes His rain to fall on the just and the unjust, all to the praise of His glory.  

…3Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved. 4The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster. 5Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.… Proverbs 16: 3-5

John MacArthur - Orge does not refer to an explosive outburst of temper but to an inner, deep resentment that seethes and smolders, often unnoticed by others" (MacArthur, J. James. Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press) MacArthur adds that orge… signifies the strongest kind of anger, that which reaches fever pitch, when God’s mercy and grace are fully exhausted. It will mark the end of God’s patience and tolerance with unregenerate, unrepentant mankind in the swelling of His final, furious anger which He will vent on those whose works evidence their persistent and unswerving rebellion against Him. (MacArthur, J. Romans. Chicago: Moody Press) - Precept Austin

…10You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak. 11 Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me? 12I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not profit you.… Isaiah 57: 10-12

…2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place. 4Because you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life.… Isaiah 43: 2-4

V. 23 Vessels of mercy - God is glorified by those who He condemns in their sin, and also by those who He redeems from His wrath. History has continued from the garden due to the promise of the Seed, Christ, the new birth, and which gospel is the power of God to salvation. 

2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 4For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love…

…5He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One. 7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace…

…8that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.… Ephesians 1: 2-10

When God looks down on mankind, He sees all men under sin (Ro 5:12 all are in Adam and in desperate condition and need for His mercy and compassion). In view of that truth what does He have the right to do? Obviously as the Sovereign Creator He has the justifiable right to condemn all mankind to an eternal hell because all are sinners. If you think that this would make God an unfair Judge, then think back for a moment to what Paul taught in Romans 1.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (See notes on Romans 1:18-19, Romans 1:20-21, Romans 1:22-23, Romans 1:24-25)

God has given every man a chance to know Him. But rebellious mankind although knowing about God through His natural revelation, made a deliberate, conscious choice not to honor Him as God or give thanks. The upshot is that all like sheep have gone astray from their Creator and all are without excuse. But here in Romans 9 Paul explains that even though we are all sinners deserving eternal death, God in His mercy, in His love, in His sovereignty has condescended to choose some and has prepared (aorist tense = a definite event and active voice = He did this independent of the creatures, especially independent of any merit they might think they have) them beforehand for glory. - PA

Vs. 24-26 I will call those who were not My people - God's plan of election was from eternity, and also included many among the Gentiles in His counsel. 

…29Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.… Romans 3: 29-31

V. 27 It is a remnant that will be saved - He has continually answered the question as to why or how could those who had such a history with God, the law, the tabernacle and the prophets, how could they have fallen away? This has to do with election, and God has always kept a remnant in every age. Remember, not all are Israel who were related to Abraham, but it was the circumcision of the heart that mattered. It is the same in the church, some are there just for the fish and the bread, the social aspect, but Christ said that not everyone who claims to be His are. 

…20So then, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’…

23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ 24Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.… Matthew 7: 20-25

Vs. 28-29 We would have become like Sodom - The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah reached the fullness of the cup of God's wrath and He destroyed them for their sin. Both cities were completely ground to dust by what the Bible describes as burning Sulphur from heaven. Abraham asked God not to do this if there what got down to be 10 righteous in the city, but even that low number could not be found so God removed Abraham's nephew, Lot. Isaiah is saying, that the only thing that kept Israel going is that God had kept a seed, and that He would raise up the Seed of the woman to redeem them. They would have shared and deserved the same fate except for God's mercy to them in preserving a remnant. 

…12until the LORD has driven men far away and the land is utterly forsaken. 13And though a tenth remains in the land, it will be burned again. As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.” Isaiah 6: 12-13

Matthew Henry notes that…

"The rejecting of the Jews, and the taking in the Gentiles, were foretold in the OT (Ro 9:26, Hosea 1:6). It tends very much to the clearing of a truth, to observe how the Scripture is fulfilled in it. It is a wonder of Divine power and mercy that there are any saved: for even those left to be a seed, if God had dealt with them according to their sins, had perished with the rest. This great truth this Scripture teaches us. Even among the vast number of professing Christians it is to be feared that only a remnant will be saved." (Heb 4:1, 2-note) - Precept Austin

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#1640 Romans 9 Part 3 Does Not Depend On the One Who Wills

 

14 What shall we say then? Is there any unrighteousness with God? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it does not depend on the one who wills or the one who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, in order to demonstrate My power in you, and in order that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. Romans 9: 14-18 LSB

Romans 9: 14-18

V. 14 Is there injustice on God's part - If the wages of sin is death and all have sinned then all should receive this justice. In the case of those to whom God shows grace, unmerited mercy, it is based upon His right as the Creator, and yet He does not forgo justice. God is eternal, and so are His attributes. His holy and just nature demands fairness, so in the case of those who receive His wrath, it is what they are owed, and in the case of those who receive His mercy, the wages of sin are paid for by His Son. The Just God pays the price for sin. 

…24What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there? 25Far be it from You to do such a thing— to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” 26So the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous ones within the city of Sodom, on their account I will spare the whole place.”… Genesis 18: 24-26

…18Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come. 19Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You? 20Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up.… Psalm 71: 18-20

…136My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed. 137Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments. 138The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful.… Psalm 119: 136-138

…141I am lowly and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts. 142Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true. 143Trouble and distress have found me, but Your commandments are my delight.… Psalm 119: 141-143

V. 15 I will have mercy on whom I have mercy - God declaring His divine right over His creation. This is a quote from Exodus 33.

…18Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.” 19“I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name— the LORD— in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 20But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”… Exodus 33: 18-20

V. 16 So then it does not depend on the one who wills or the one who runs - Sadly, there is an Arminian form of Christianity that I grew up with, which glorifies man's "free will", man who is called the bondservant of sin and dead in his trespasses and sins. The bible in no way teaches that "God will in no way interfere with man's free will", again, you are a slave to sin who needs to be born again. Human autonomy is a joke and an idol, for no one has ever called themselves into being. Even when man does will aright, chooses God, the Will beneath that will is God's own. Christ had to correct His own disciples on this, that He chose them, not the other way around. 

More on this from John 3

More on being born again

12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. 14Do everything without complaining or arguing,… Philippians 2: 12-14

…36But as I stated, you have seen Me and still you do not believe. 37Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.… John 6: 36-38

…25I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.… Ezekiel 36: 25-27

V. 17 For this very purpose I raised you up - Pharoah and other rulers have always seen themselves as special, even self made, but some giving credit to the gods of their hands and imaginations. God is saying it is quite the opposite, like in the case of Nebuchadnezzar who praised himself against God's warning and was brought low. As some have pointed out, even the devil is God's devil, he can do no more than God allows.

5“Look at the nations and observe—be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you. 6For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans— that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own. 7They are dreaded and feared; from themselves they derive justice and sovereignty.… Habakkuk 1: 5-7

…5But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” 6“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “He is in your hands, but you must spare his life.” 7So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.… Job 2: 5-7

V. 18 He hardens whom He desires - God judiciously leaves some men in their sin. They didn't want God, and so they didn't get what they didn't want, but they will receive justice. 

. He hardens: We know that Pharaoh did harden his own heart, according to Exodus 7:13, 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7, and 9:34. But “He does not so much as bother to indicate that Pharaoh hardened his own heart, an evidence of unbelief and rebellion, because he is emphasizing the freedom of God’s action in all cases.” (Harrison) - Enduring Word

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#1639 Romans 9 Part 2 Twin Truths

 

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s seed, but: “through Isaac your seed will be named.” 8 That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are considered as seed. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that the purpose of God according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Romans 9: 6-13 LSB

Romans 9: 6-13

I. First, then, THIS IS FACT. Men say they do not like the doctrine of election. Verily, I do not want them to; but is it not a fact that God has elected some? Ask an Arminian brother about election, and at once his eye turns fiercely upon you, and he begins to get angry, he can't bear it; it is a horrible thing, like a war-cry to him, and he begins to sharpen the knife of controversy at once. But say to him, "Ah, brother! was it not divine grace that made you to differ? Was it not the Lord who called you out of your natural state, and made you what you are? "Oh, yes," he says," "I quite agree with you there." Now, put this question to him: "What do you think is the reason why one man has been converted, and not another?" "Oh," he says, "the Spirit of God has been at work in this man." Well, then, my brother, the fact is, that God does treat one man better than another; and is there anything wonderful in this fact? It is a fact we recognize every day. There is a man up in the gallery there, that work as hard as he likes, he cannot earn more than fifteen shillings a week; and here is another man that gets a thousand a year; what is the reason of this? One is born in the palaces of kings, while another draws his first breath in a roofless hovel What is the reason of this? God's providence. He puts one man in one position, and another man in another. Here is a man whose head cannot hold two thoughts together, do what you will with him; here is another who can sit down and write a book, and dive into the deepest of questions; what is the reason of it? God has done it. Do you not see the fact, that God does not treat every man alike? He has made some eagles, and some worms; some he has made lions, and some creeping lizards; he has made some men kings, and some are born beggars. Some are born with gigantic minds and some verge on the idiot. Why is this? Do you murmur at God for it? No, you say it is a fact, and there is no good in murmuring. What is the use of kicking against facts? It is only kicking against the pricks with naked feet, and you hurt yourself and not them. Well, then, election is a positive fact; it is as clear as daylight, that God does, in matters of religion, give to one man more than to another. He gives to me opportunities of hearing the word, which he does nor give to the Hottentot. He gives to me, parents who, from infancy, trained me in the fear of the Lord. He does not give that to many of you. He places me afterwards in situations where I am restrained from sin. Other men are cast into places where their sinful passions are developed. He gives, to one man a temper and disposition which keeps him back from some lust, and to another man he gives such impetuosity of spirit, and depravity turns that impetuosity so much aside, that the man runs headlong into sin. Again, he brings one man under the sound of a powerful ministry, while another sits and listens to a preacher whose drowsiness is only exceeded by that of his hearers. And even when they are hearing the gospel, the fact is God works in one heart when be does not in another. Though, I believe to a degree, the Spirit works in the hearts of all who hear the Word, so that they are all without excuse, yet I am sure he works in some so powerfully, that they can no longer resist him, but are constrained by his grace to cast themselves at his feet, and confess him Lord of all; while others resist the grace that comes into their hearts; and it does not act with the same irresistible force that it does in the other case, and they perish in their sins, deservedly and justly condemned. Are not these things facts? Does any man deny them? can any man deny them? What is the use of kicking against facts? I always like to know when there is a discussion, what is the fact. You have heard the story of King Charles the Second and the philosophers King Charles asked one of them, "What is the reason why, if you had a pail of water, and weighed it, and then put a fish into it, that the weight would be the same?" They gave a great many elaborate reasons for this. At last one of them said, "Is it the fact?" And then they found out that the water did weigh more, just as much more as the fish put into it. So all their learned arguments fell to the ground. So, when we are talking about election, the best thing is to say, "Put aside the doctrine for a moment, let us see what is the fact?" We walk abroad; we open our eyes; we see, there is the fact. What, then, is the use of our discussing any longer? We had better believe it, since it is an undeniable truth. You may alter an opinion, but you cannot alter a fact. You may change a mere doctrine, but you cannot possibly change a thing which actually exists. There it is God does certainly deal with some men better than he does with others. I will not offer an apology for God; he can explain his own dealings; he needs no defence from me,

"God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain;"

but there stands the fact. Before you begin to argue upon the doctrine, just recollect, that whatever you may think about it, you cannot alter it; and however much you may object to it, it is actually true that God did love Jacob, and did not love Esau. C. H. Spurgeon

V. 6 As though the word of God has failed - The Messiah came and Israel rejected Him, but Paul states that this is no failure in the plan of God. In fact this was predicted by the OT prophets. God did not fail His chosen people, but as we will see not all are the Israel of God. 

…10He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—… John 1: 10-12

…2He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. 3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. 4Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted.… Isaiah 53: 2-4

V. 6b-7 For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel - This contrast the spirit and the physical birth. Jacob's name was changed to Israel, but not everyone related to him physically was born again spiritually. Growing up with a Christian parent doesn't make you born of the spirit, though you may be Christian culturally, celebrating Christmas, even believing things about Christ, just as the demons believe and tremble, yet are not saved. The Jews cited that they had Abraham as their father, but so did Ishmael, yet God chose Isaac. Ishmael, a historical person, represented the will of man, man trying to make his own way, which always leads to heartache and contention. Isaac, the younger brother of Ishmael by Sarah, was the child of promise, born well after Sarah's time of childbearing had passed, and proven fruitless. He is the child of the dead womb, and a very beautiful picture of being born again. Israel also means "governed by God", and not all were governed by God as their actions proved. 

…7You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ”… Matthew 15: 7-9

…30As for you, son of man, your people are talking about you near the city walls and in the doorways of their houses. One speaks to another, each saying to his brother, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD!’ 31So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. 32Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.… Ezekiel 33: 30-32

…21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’… Matthew 7: 21-23

V. 8 The children of the flesh are not the children of God - Again he clarifies, it is not physical relation to Abraham, but being children of the promise, the ones called. The evidence of this would be repentance, being "ruled by God."

…8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.… Matthew 3: 8-10

V.9 And Sarah shall have a son - This is quoted from Genesis 18:10. Sarah's response to the promise of Isaac was to laugh, because she was passed the time of her menstruation and had never been able to conceive. Think about that in regards to your own salvation. It requires a miracle of God. 

1And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.…

…4But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,…

 Ephesians 2: 1-6

Vs. 10-13 Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated - Before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, meaning it is not based on their future foreseen merit. Jacob is a great case in point to this, his name means "deceiver". He tricked his own father, but God chose him, as he chooses all His elect, not upon condition of future good deeds, nor upon the basis of seeing that they would choose Him, but according to His sovereign plan. Many have played and tinkered with this plain statement "Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated", but I think it best to accept it as is. If it doesn't fit with your image of God, your Theology, then you should best challenge it because you are making an idol. God hates sin, and those who attach themselves to it, refuse salvation from it, and so God will be forever opposed to them. 

…10My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. 11God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation each day. 12If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow.… Psalm 7: 10-12

…15No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit— fruit that will remain— so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 17This is My command to you: Love one another.… John 15: 15-17

1This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite: 2The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies. 3The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.… Nahum 1: 1-3

…35The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3: 35-36

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