Praise To the God of The Gospel

Introduction

A little more than half way through the letter to the Roman assembly of Christian Believers and Paul has been talking about Salvation to all, Jew and Gentile alike. Something new.

God’s mercy for all people, Jew and Gentile alike.

And Paul would like nothing more than all his people the Israelites and the people that were separated learn of the Good news of Jesus Christ.

Romans 11:33-36

Romans 11:33–36 CSB

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? 35 And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.

As he is writing this section Paul could have moved immediately from mercy in 11:32 to mercy in 12:1 This section adds nothing for the theological understanding in this letter.

But he was apparently overcome by the reality and profundity of the mercy of God. Perhaps overtaken by the reality that he is a recipient of the mercy of God.

He had previously been one of the hardened in Israel, one of the disobedient, and then for reasons known only to God he was chosen to receive mercy. Called by Jesus himself on the road to Damascus where blinded he could see the truth of Jesus.

Paul can’t help but take a moment but to worship God.

Martin Luther pointed out that Paul’s doxology does not bring closure to what was a mystery before we began reading the chapter: “There is still something which is hidden and too deep for us to understand” (Luther, p. 163).

Though we have read all of Romans 9–11, we do not know all that God knows.

We do not fully understand election.

We do not fully understand hardening.

We do not fully understand God closing the eyes and ears of people who need his truth, people whom he wants to receive it.

We do not fully understand his timetable.

We do not fully understand (though we try because we want to) the eternal destinies of those who live and die in the period of Israel’s hardening.

We do not fully understand what makes those who live at a time when Israel’s disobedience is removed more “deserving” of mercy (to speak in human terms) than those who did not receive mercy.

And least of all, we do not understand why those who write about Romans, and teach others about Romans, have received mercy, knowing ourselves as we do.

Paul was right. The riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God are too deep for us.

A person can go down only so far into the ocean before the capacities of the human body are tested to the breaking point, before the pressure is too much to bear.

We may not understand it all but there is praise and glory in our distance from him. We know that we are saved, and by that fact we know that what Paul is writing is true. Paul’s praise and worship of God is prompted by what he does not know as well as by what he does.

Paul quotes from Job 41:11, reminding us that everything begins and Ends in God, and that is enough to silence those who are not satisfied not knowing all that God knows.

Being self-sufficient, God is not required to answer man.

His glory begins in himself and ends in himself and encompasses all of his purposes and actions.

We praise God for what we do understand.

We praise God for what we don’t understand.

So we Praise Him

Praise God: Hallelujah

What is Praise of God?

Paul takes a moment to praise God some thing that all living creatures in God’s creation do.

In Hebrew there is actually 7 words for praise. (See notes).

For some of you only think of praise as singing, and singing is a wonderful way to praise YHWH.

For some Praising God is telling others of the goodness of God.

For others Praising is poetry and lines of verse

Praise refers to lifting God up. It is the joyful recounting of what God has done for us. Praise and thanksgiving go hand in hand.

We remember God’s goodness, promises, life giving mercy. We praise God when we are selves are happy but also when we are not.

Because praise of God is not about us. It is about He that is worthy of all Praise.

Next Steps

As we come to the end of this reflection on Romans 11:33-36, let us be reminded of the profound depth of God's mercy and wisdom. Like Paul, we may not fully understand the mysteries of God's ways, but we can be assured of His boundless grace and love for us.

God's mercy is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality that each one of us has experienced. Whether we were once hardened, disobedient, or far from Him, His mercy has reached us, called us, and brought us into His light. This profound truth should lead us to a place of deep, heartfelt praise.

We may never grasp all of God's plans or fully comprehend His divine timetable. We may have questions about election, hardening, and the destinies of others. But in our limited understanding, we can rest in the assurance that God's ways are perfect, His wisdom is unsearchable, and His love is unfathomable.

So, what is our response?

Like Paul, let us burst into praise. Let us lift up our voices and our hearts in worship to the One who is worthy. Let us praise Him not only for what we understand but also for what we don't. For in the vastness of His wisdom and the depth of His knowledge, we find our place of trust and surrender.

Call to Action

As we leave this place today, I encourage you to:

1. Reflect on God's Mercy: Take time each day to ponder the mercy God has shown you. Let it fill your heart with gratitude and wonder.

2. Engage in Praise: Find new ways to praise God in your daily life. Whether through song, poetry, storytelling, or acts of service, let your life be a continuous offering of praise.

3. Live Out Your Faith: Share the Good News of God's mercy with others. Let your life be a testament to the transformative power of His love.

4. Embrace the Mystery: Accept that we may not have all the answers, but we can trust in the One who does. Let this trust lead you to a deeper faith and a more profound worship.

Closing Prayer

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your boundless mercy and infinite wisdom. We praise You for the things we understand and for the mysteries that are beyond our grasp. Help us to live lives that reflect Your love and mercy, and may our hearts be ever filled with praise. Guide us as we seek to share Your Good News with others and strengthen our faith in Your perfect plan. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Go in peace, and may the mercy and wisdom of God guide you and fill you with His eternal love.

Bibliography

Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans. Vol. 6 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Luther, Martin. Commentary on Romans. Trans, by J. Theodore Mueller. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1954. Reprint edition by Kregel Publications, 1976.

Gesenius, Wilhelm, and Samuel Prideaux Tregelles. Gesenius’ Hebrew and Chaldee lexicon to the Old Testament Scriptures 2003

Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) 1997

Taylor, Jack, Broadman Press, The Hallelujah Factor 1983

BDB

7 Hebrew Words of Praise

Towdah (Exodus 27:6-7, Romans 12:1) “Sacrifice;” expressed in Mosaic Law offerings, Jesus’ example of being a “living sacrifice” to God.

Yadah (Exodus 17:11, 1 Timothy 2:8) “Lifting of hands;” reaching out to God, declaring our dependence on Him and proclaiming our love for our Father.

Barak/Barouch Exodus 34:8, Psalm 5:7) “Bowing;” giving reverence to God in recognition of His holiness and sovereignty over everything that lives.

Shabach (Psalm 47:1, Isaiah 12:6) “Shout;” to lift up your voice and praise God with all of one’s might.

Zamah (Psalm 150:3-5, Ephesians 5:19) “Sing/play instruments;” playing music to express joy in God’s presence. Halal (2 Samuel 6:14, Psalm 149:3) “Celebrate/boast/rave;” root word for “hallelujah,” to express praise for God through physical motion.

Tehillah (Psalm 22:25, Isaiah 61:1-3) “Sing/dance/praise;” to use many ways to praise God (all of the above!)

The Unsearchable Wisdom of God

Romans 11:33–36

Summary: Romans 11:33–36 marvels at the depths of God’s wisdom, knowledge, and judgments, declaring His unsearchable ways that surpass human understanding.

Application: Through this passage, Christians are reminded to humbly surrender to the infinite wisdom of God, trusting in His sovereign plans even when incomprehensible. Non-believers are invited to explore the profound mysteries of God’s mercy and salvation for all mankind.

Teaching: This sermon teaches about the vast wisdom of God that surpasses human understanding, leading to a deeper reverence and awe for His divine knowledge and plans.

How this passage could point to Christ: In Romans 11:33–36, we see how all of God’s salvific plans culminate in Christ, as He is the embodiment of God’s wisdom and the ultimate expression of His mercy towards all humanity.

Big Idea: Trusting in God's unsearchable wisdom and mercy is the foundation of our praise and surrender to Him, leading to a deeper understanding of His plans for salvation.

Recommended Study: For further study, explore the concept of God's wisdom in relation to salvation throughout the Bible using resources like Logos. Dive into the cultural context of this passage in Romans to fully grasp the significance of God's unsearchable ways. Additionally, study how other biblical writers, such as Paul in other epistles, have emphasized the divine wisdom of God in connection to His redemptive purposes.

1. Wisdom Beyond Measure

Romans 11:33

You could start by exploring the infinite wisdom and knowledge of God as described in Romans 11:33, highlighting how this divine wisdom is ultimately revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This can lead into a discussion on the importance of trusting in God’s wisdom even when His ways are beyond our understanding.

2. Who Has Known?

Romans 11:34-35

Perhaps delve into the rhetorical questions posed in Romans 11:34-35, emphasizing that no one can comprehend the mind of the Lord or claim to be His counselor. This could be an opportunity to discuss how trusting in God’s plans, especially as they are fulfilled in Christ, frees us from the need to understand everything and leads us into a posture of humble submission.

3. All Things to Him

Romans 11:36

Maybe conclude with Romans 11:36, focusing on the doxology that declares all things come from, through, and to God. This can provide a powerful climax by demonstrating how a life surrendered to God's wisdom is a life lived in worship, glorifying Christ who connects us back to God and is the ultimate example of divine wisdom and mercy.