Adoption

The Sonship of God’s Children

Our sonship differs from the sonship of Christ

Christ has been the Son of God eternally

Sonship and the sovereignty of God

John 1:12 ESV

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

God adopts those whom He chooses

Romans 9:6–9 ESV

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”

The objection: God’s word has failed and His promises are untrue because every Jew is not saved.

Paul’s refutation of this objection: In the same way that not all of Abraham’s children were benefactors of the covenant God made with Abraham, not all Jews were benefactors of the covenant God made with His people.

The argument (7-9)

Israel: roots in Abraham

Some Jews suggested that the doctrine of justification that Paul outlines in Rom. 1-3, does not apply to them because they are descendants of Abraham.

In Romans 4, Paul applies the doctrine of justification to Abraham which can be summarized in verse 3:

Romans 4:3 ESV

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Paul marks Abraham as the supreme illustration of justification by faith knowing that this argument will specifically address the foundation of the Jews’ objection.

children and offspring (7)

Isaac and Ishmael were Abraham’s offspring. In other words, they were both his natural children.

But Paul makes a clear distinction between the two sons. The covenant God made with Abraham was applied to one son and his line and not to the other.

Physical descent is not the basis for inclusion in God’s covenant community.

2 meanings of “offspring” in verse 7

offspring is used twice in v. 7

The first use of the word is in a natural sense meaning a descendant of the flesh.

The second use of the word is in a spiritual sense, referring to the one through whom the covenant God made with Abraham will be carried on.

This is parallel with stating that not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel.

2 meanings of “children” in verse 7

Both Isaac and Ishmael were children of Abraham in a natural or common way.

Isaac alone was a child of Abraham spiritually or covenantally.

In the same way, only some are children of God spiritually or covenantally.

Calling into being (7, 11)

named (ESV) in verse 7 and calls in verse 11 are the same word.

It appears that Paul intends that God’s calling is meant to be understood as calling into being. It is more than merely being named but being designated with a quality.

The word counted (ESV) in verse 8 is a different word which carries the idea of credited (counted to him as righteousness)

This further emphasizes God’s sovereignty in His adoption of people. He produces or calls into being His children through His calling of them.

Children of the flesh and the children of God (8)

Not all children of the flesh are children of God.

The children of God are not merely children of the flesh.

Children of God are children of the promise and are counted (credited) as God’s offspring.

The children of God (8-9)

Children of God are children of the promise.

the promise produces its own children (MLJ). It is the children who are produced by the promise who are the seed, and they alone.

The children of the promise, not the ones of natural descent are the one who are counted as children of God.

Paul references what was promised in Genesis

Genesis 17:21 ESV

But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”

Genesis 18:10 ESV

The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.

Genesis 18:14 ESV

Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

The miraculous birth of Isaac (9)

That Sara was able to become pregnant and deliver the baby is the miracle.

The power of God made this possible.

The Takeaways

God made His covenant with Abraham with respect to Isaac before Isaac was in the womb.

God’s promise is why Isaac was born (not, the promise was made because Isaac was born).

That the promise was to be fulfilled through the line of Isaac and not Ishmael was determined because God had determined that Isaac would be the child of promise.

Though Isaac was born naturally, that is, through normal human relations, he was also produced by God to carry out His promise. Abraham’s and Sara’s age, 99 and 90 respectively, were not obstacles to God’s promise, but displayed the glory of it.

God elected Isaac as the seed and produced him because He had elected him. In other words, election comes first and adoption is sure to follow.