Privilege and Responsibility
Opening Prayer
Identify some of the spiritual blessings you have experienced as a Christian. Then, thank God for them.
Read ROMANS 9:1-13
[1] I speak the truth in Christ-I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit- [2] I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. [3] For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, [4] the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. [5] Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. [6] It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. [7] Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” [8] In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. [9] For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” [10] Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. [11] Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad-in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: [12] not by works but by him who calls-she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” [13] Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What is the cause of Paul's great anguish?The fact that his own people, Israel, have not rushed to believe in their Messiah is an incredible burden to Paul. See his distress (1-4a). He can barely understand how this could be, given the list of privileges which follows (4b,5). Have God’s word and promise to Israel failed? Paul teaches that not all who are by descent Israelites (“physical Israel”) are real Israelites (“spiritual Israel”). Clearly, Paul regards many of them as nothing more than natural children in the same way as Abraham’s son Ishmael was (Gen. 16). Real spiritual children, like Abraham’s other son, Isaac, inherit the promises of God (6-9). Ishmael was merely a natural son, whereas Isaac was spiritual. Paul illustrates this principle again with Isaac’s children: Esau was no more than a physical son whereas Jacob was a son spiritually as well as physically (see Gen. 25).
Is God being unfair here by showing favoritism to Isaac and Jacob? This is a question that Paul has raised before in Romans (3:9). Even though God has chosen Israel first (1:16), he surely cannot be accused of favoritism. It would contradict our understanding of him as righteous and just.
Apply
We all have a sense of justice. Pray for insight into this issue that affects our understanding of the nature of God.
Closing prayer
Just and good God, may I trust in and never doubt Your inherent goodness and fairness to all.
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