(Romans 9) – The Sovereignty of God in Human Affairs

In this chapter, Paul is using Israel as an illustration of God’s sovereignty.

Vs. 6-11: God chose His blessing and promise not according to the deeds of Abraham but according to His plan (He chose Jacob over Esau, even though Jacob was the deceiver). Cf- vs. 12, 13

Vs. 16: What a sobering thought! That I can do nothing to earn God’s merit. According to Scripture, it doesn’t matter how much I try or how much I will something, God determines my direction. All my successes, all my hope, all my aspirations, all my righteousness is because of God’s mercy.

Vs. 17: The principle in verse 16 is illustrated here. Pharaoh’s might, his kingdom, his position, were given to him by God so to point to God.

God shows mercy in several ways here:

1. Physical

Gives position, power, etc. when you don’t deserve it.

2. Purpose

Gives position, power, etc. to accomplish His will.

3. Personal

Spiritual mercy unto Salvation

Vs. 19: This is the logical question that arises from verse 18. “How can God find fault if everyone moves according to His will?”

Vs. 20: Paul’s answer is harsh because of the root and nature from which the question comes. It has always been the carnal practice to question “why” and “how” God works. The only medicine for fleshly inquiries, such as verse 19, is a reminder of who God is and what man is.

Vs. 20-23: Man is a vessel that God forms. There is no questioning God because a vessel can’t determine how it’s made. If it is a vessel of wrath made to glorify God, so be it. If it is a vessel of honour made to glorify God’s mercy, so be it.

Vs. 26: Thank God for the “there” – Where God brings us to the lowest point – the state of deprivation is when He claims us as His child. Just like Jacob when the LORD “Blessed him there,” Where? Where Jacob was at his weakest point, where God changed his name from deceiver to “Prince with God”!

Vs. 29: Except for His seed, all would be as Sodom

Vs. 30: Again, when the vessel moves according to the will of God, it brings glory to God.

Romans 10 – Israel Rejects God’s Help

Perhaps the most solemn recap of Israel’s disobedience is recorded here. Solemn because they missed the promise that God gave to their fathers that now the Gentiles were receiving.

Vs. 2: Zeal means nothing without the proper motive. Where does the motive come? Knowledge. And false knowledge equals wrong motives.

Vs. 3: Ignorant of what? God’s righteousness! Ignorant of the truths in chapter 9. Ignorant of 9.16, that is why they go about establishing their own law. It is not him that runneth! It is no him that willeth! It is God who shows mercy!

Vs. 6-8: The truth is not in the clouds and it isn’t in the grave. The truth is not far off and obtainable only by work and mediation. The truth is on the tip of the tongue, in the surface of the heart, directly in the act of faith.

Vs. 9: (Deut 30.14) What was preached in the OT is still preached today.

Vs. 16: Israelites were not unlike unbelievers today.

Vs. 19-21: Did Israel not know? They heard (vs. 18) but they did not know the truth therefore (vs. 3) came true in their life.

(Romans 11) – God Planned Israel’s Rejection in Order to Bless the Gentiles

Vs. 1-7: This is a difficult passage to understand. Plainly, this chapter is speaking of the Israelites, but what of verse 5? Is the “remnant according to the election of grace” Israel? Or all who are saved by faith? Or perhaps Israelites who are now Christian? On first read I would say Israel but verse 11 would seem to indicate he is talking about the Gentiles.

Also, in verses 6-7, he indicates that Israel never obtained what they were working for but the “elect” obtained it and the rest were blinded.

Vs. 8-10: God covered Israel’s understanding so that…

Vs. 11: Through the Jews unbelief, salvation was brought unto the Gentiles.

Vs. 15: The casting away of Israel was the reconciliation of the world

Romans 12 – The logical, reasonable step of all the truths in this book: Service

Vs. 2: Conformed = Camouflaged (suschmatizesqe) Cf – Eph 2.2

Transformed = Metamorphic (metamorjousqe) Cf – Mt 17.2; 2 Co 3.18

The difference between the two is obvious and simple: If you are a Christian, you have to intentionally hide the fact that you’re a Christian. You have to camouflage your real self if you want to look like the world. Transformed (or morph) is a completely new look, not an addition to (same word used when Jesus was “transfigured”).

Romans 13 – Responsibility toward others

The backbone of this passage is found in chapter nine: the vessel has not power over itself and has no right to say, “Why hast thou made me thus?” Of course, the potter being God puts some vessels in higher positions than others. It is therefore not the duty of man to discern who’s power is of God and who’s is not – “There is no power but of God.”

Notice the universal principle: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” Every soul includes, well, everyone! It doesn’t matter if it is the powerful king or the beggar they are in subjection to someone. This truth must be made fresh every day to the Christian. There are two reasons, I say, it needs to be made fresh:

It is a comforting thought because I know the authority I am under is not purpose-driven but rather God-driven. “Not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who showeth mercy!” God has placed authority and placed me under authority for a reason. God put Pharaoh in power to demonstrate His power. God destroyed Babylon to demonstrate His glory. God abased Nebuchadnezzar and then restored him to show His mercy. Etc.

It is also comforting to know that when I exercise authority, it is not of mine own doing but of God who gave me authority. I have it not to demand authority in other’s lives but to be authority in other’s lives.

Another reason it is comforting is found in Ephesians 1. Jesus Christ is head over all and all power is given to Him to delegate power throughout the world. Therefore, every time I exercise authority He has given, I magnify His office.

Authority is also a sobering thought; sobering because of my responsibility to lead effectively so that others will not rebel against their authority and therefore rebel against God (Cf – vs.2). I must live a live void of offense so not to cause rebellion in other’s hearts.

It is sobering because I must be careful in my life not to foster rebellion or hate the authority God has ordained.