"Example of Unbelief"

Summary:

Personal Responsibility

Always looking for others to blame.

Paul will not let his own people blame God.

Apparent Contradiction

It is true that the reason that anyone is saved is God and God alone.

But it is still true that the reason that anyone is lost is people.

We must believe both.

Here, Israel is an example of the reason that anyone is lost...

What was Israel’s problem? (9:30-33)

It becomes clear by contrast with the Gentiles (v. 30).

“What shall we say then” - this truth goes with the truth before.

The Gentiles did not have what Israel had (vv. 4-5).

And yet, they attained (lay hold of) righteousness - a right standing before God.

Why? What is the difference? Faith - heart belief.

The Gentiles were not inclined to it. They were not smarter or better than Israel. We’ve already learned in this chapter why anyone would have faith. Here Paul is examining that difference from the perspective of the individual.

Israel was the direct opposite(v. 31).

Remember that Israel is an example of how no one can keep the law - because they had it and they tried.

The Law was a law of righteousness, but not self righteousness.

Paul has said this before (Romans 3:19–22 “Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:”)

In essence, Israel misused the law. It became a sort of righteousness in and of itself, rather than a means to another righteousness.

Why did Israel make this mistake? (v. 32)

The most important part was missing - faith - heart belief.

They reduced it to works alone.

So much so, that they actually missed the foundational stone - this is what brought them down. This is where faith was missing.

Paul quotes from Isaiah 28:16 and Isaiah 8:14 (v. 33).

Seeing this, along with other places in the NT (Matt. 21:42; Luke 20:17–18; Acts 4:11; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:4–8), as a prophecy of Christ.

This expands on Israel’s lack of faith (v. 32; 10:4, 11).

And they only have themselves to blame.

What is Israel’s need? (10:1-4)

Same as everyone else… (v. 1)

Salvation - deliverance from their current condition

This is still possible in Paul’s thinking - this change is possible.

This is why Paul prays and preaches. (Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”)

Paul can identify with them (v. 2-3)

They have miss-guided zeal (v. 2).

They don’t know something. Faith is not blind. It includes knowledge.

Of what? (v. 3) In a phrase, God’s righteousness as opposed to self righteousness; true righteousness (Romans 3:21–22 “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:”).

This is what they needed to know in their hearts.

But Paul was changed, and they can be also (Philippians 3:9 “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—”).

Paul states more precisely what/WHO they need (v. 4).

Example of the need for faith in Christ

God will hold people accountable to this - personal.

We can hold people accountable to this - public.

Benediction: Romans 11:33–36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:1–12