The Divine Election of Israel - Part 1

The Divine Election of Israel

We are resuming our study of Romans tonight. It is good to be back after several weeks away during the summertime. And as we return tonight to the study of God's word in Romans, We are coming to a truly amazing section of Scripture in Romans 9, 10, and 11. It is a section filled with essential doctrine for us to understand fully the gospel. But we also have to understand that this is an often misunderstood part of Scripture. In fact, many pastors don't even preach from these three chapters.

Because of its difficulty, some have even said that this is a parenthetical and unnecessary part of Scripture. That you can go from the end of chapter 8, skip over these three chapters and go right back in to chapter twelve. And it's easy to see how some could arrive at that conclusion. Paul goes from a high crescendo at the close of Chapter 8 to what seems like a deflation starting in Romans Chapter 9.

The Divine Election of Israel

In response to this idea, what seems like a decrescendo is the underscoring of Paul's passion for his own people - Israel! Paul cannot go onto chapter 12 until he deals with the importance of the issues found in chapters 9 through 11. The reason he must deal with the issues we're looking at over the next several weeks in these chapters is because Paul is facing a myriad of objections, criticisms, and persecution from his fellow Jews. In talking about issues like salvation through grace alone, the security of our salvation, and so on, Paul is on the defense about the fundamental importance of Israel in the plan of God.

In other words, there are things that he writes earlier in Romans that make it necessary for him to follow up with these chapters. For instance:

Romans 1:1–5 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

The Divine Election of Israel

Here Paul identifies himself as an Apostle to the Gentiles and so one would question, Especially in the mind of the Jew, does this mean that god has set aside the nation of Israel? Does this mean that Jews have no value in the Kingdom of God? Is justification by grace alone a gentile gift and has nothing to do with the Jews? All of this is answered in these 3 chapters, especially underscored in the first verse of Chapter 11

Romans 11:1 ESV

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

The Divine Election of Israel

So it's not possible to preach a message of justification by grace alone through faith alone to all the nations without someone who is Jewish saying, “ wait a minute, does this mean we're done? Are we not God’s chosen people” And this question can arise in other parts of the letter leading up to Chapter 9.

Romans 2:28 ESV

28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.

Romans 3:22 ESV

22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

The Divine Election of Israel

What Paul is getting at is that God's plan of salvation by grace through faith was not new. This is an Old Testament concept. It is the same for the gentiles as it was for the Jews. It is the same today for the whole world as it was back then. God was never isolating salvation to only Israel. He was using Israel as a agent of faith to reach the entire world. Salvation is not an outward act, it's an transformation as an act of faith. It isn't about being Jewish, it's about being right with God.

In fact, you remember chapter 3 verse one Romans 3:1 “1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?” . You see all the things that were pivotal to God's covenant with Israel. But just because you're a Jew doesn't mean that you're automatically justified.

The Divine Election of Israel

And now Paul is continuing with his reasoning by arguing that God has not cast away his people. And although Israel has rejected Messiah, God still has a special and unique love for His people. The problem is their rejection of God's grace, and so God needs to bring Israel back to a place of faith. God's covenant has not been broken. God will change his mind regarding Israel.

The Divine Election of Israel

That brings us to another problem. Because there are those in the church who are teaching that God has indeed said Israel aside and replaced Israel for the Church. How is it that a nation rejected God's grace and the gospel and still find favor with God? Is Paul saying, as an apostle to the gentiles, that there is no difference spiritually between the Jews? Do gentile Christians have a right to look down on Israel? There are those who teach this. However this nullified large portions of Scripture, like Daniel chapters 2 and 7. This indeed means that God would necessarily go back on his promises. That is what Kingdom now theology and amillennialists teach: God has cancelled the promises to the Jews to bring in the church.

The Divine Election of Israel

These three chapters we are studying over the next several week answer this question. What Paul is teaching is that if God cancels his promises with Israel, then he can do the same thing with the church. So there is clearly a lot at stake, and Romans chapters 9 through 11 tear down these arguments and set the record straight.

There is always a remnant. God never breaks a promise. Ultimately, Israel was temporarily set aside, they'll be grafted back in according to Chapter 11. Which brings us to the culmination of Romans 11:33 “33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” With that let's dig in:

Romans 9:1–5 ESV

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

Paul’s Sorrow for Israel

Paul begins Romans 9 by expressing his sorrow for the Israelites and introduces a new section addressing the theological implications of Israel's role in God's plan in light of the new covenant. Romans 9:1 “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit” This is a vital part of the whole epistle. To throw it out or treat it lightly is a theological mistake. There is a yearning in him for his people.

Paul’s Sorrow for Israel

Paul’s desire more than anything is for his people, the Jews, to come to the realization of the Gospel. This yearning comes out in the very opening words. He’s saying everything that I am, that I know, that I feel, that I have in my being is being poured out to you. Paul, the Pharisee of Pharisees. Paul the student of Gamael. Paul the previous persecutor of Christians. Paul the one who encountered Christ on the Damascus Road. Paul the man who is now in prison for the sake of Christ. This Paul is bearing his heart for the Jewish people to come to faith in Christ. Paul knows there is no ‘Jewish way’ to heaven and ‘Christian way’ to heaven. There is one way, through Messiah.

Paul’s Sorrow for Israel

So the first application in our study here is, do we as a church bear that kind of burden for the lost? Do you have a burden for those who are perishing? Are we doing everything we need to win the battle for the souls of the lost? And friends it is warfare. This isn’t about being great at social activities or making church entertaining for the goats. It is not even getting someone to raise their hand. This is about engaging in a spiritual battle.

Paul’s Sorrow for Israel

Let me put it this way. Coming to church isn’t for your satisfaction, it is for your transformation and perfection. That includes your ability to lead others to the saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Friends, the most important part of your life must be your faith in Jesus Christ. There is no such thing as casual Christianity. The responsibility of reaching the lost is not the responsibility of the pastor, or the mission team, or someone else. It belongs to the entire church. Sadly today the Great Commission has become the ‘great commission of the modern church.

Luke 19:10 ESV

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Hell is Real

Did you know that polls show that over 90% of Americans believe in God, heaven, and angels, but only 31% say that there is no such thing as Satan or hell. Just as many people would say that Satan or evil is a mere symbol. Perhaps the reason is Hollywood has made evil and the demonic entertaining and even whimsical. This is part of the curse in the garden isn’t it?

Genesis 3:3–5 ESV

3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Satan is Real

So why did Jesus teach us to pray Matthew 6:13 “13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”? Or why did he pray John 17:15 “15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” Folks, Satan is your real enemy and hell is a real place and we at war for the souls of the lost. If we believe what the Bible says about hell and the spiritual battle going on, we live differently knowing there are people going to a sinner’s hell every day.

Tangshan China

Have you ever heard of Tangshan China? Most have not. on July 28, 1976, in this city of over 1 million people, at 3:42 am while most of the city was asleep, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit the city destroying 85 percent of the buildings in minutes. The worst of the destruction was the death toll of over 500,000 people whose lives were snuffed out. But what if I told you that is nothing compared to the number of people who perish all the time to hell?

Paul is opening Romans chapter 9 full of travail for the lost people of Israel.

Mourning Over Israel

Romans 9:2–3 ESV

2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

Mourning Over Israel

Really, Paul’s heart is the heart of God’s. Paul has the same passion for Israel. Why is Paul so full of anguish? Because of the deception and loss of his fellow Jews who have rejected the gospel.

Romans 10:1 ESV

1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

Exodus 32:31–32 ESV

31 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.”

Psalm 119:136 ESV

136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

Jeremiah 9:1 ESV

1 Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Galatians 3:16 ESV

16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

Mourning Over Israel

That offspring begins with Israel and continues through to the Jewish people. The promises of salvation come through Israel unto the Messiah. You cannot dissect Jesus from Israel in any form. So it should be that we too should mourn and pray for Israel, but also recognize that they are the apple of God’s eye.

The Privileges of Israel

Romans 9:4–5 ESV

4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

The Privileges of Israel

First we see the privileges of Israel. They are a noble people and through the years they have distinguished themselves in every area of human life. They have made some of the greatest scientific contributions to society in healthcare, computers, agriculture, solar power, air defense, and so much more. Twenty-two percent of the Nobel Prize winners are jewish.

The Privileges of Israel

Secondly, he says, "To whom pertains the adoption." Beyond their natural nobility, they have received as a nation what I'll call electing grace. They've been adopted by God as a nation.

In Exodus 4:22 it says, "Israel is My son, even My firstborn." His people. Hosea 11:1, "When Israel was a child then I loved him and called him My son." They're not just a noble race. They are recipients of electing grace. They were privileged as a nation, privileged to have God’s protection, care, and oversight.

The Privileges of Israel

Third, they are the heirs of the patriarch (v.5a). The Old Testament doesn't talk about God being the Father of individual Jews; that's why it was so shocking when Jesus talked about God as his Father in Heaven. The Old Testament talks about God being the Father of Israel as a nation, chosen to bring God’s son, uniquely set apart to be His witness nation to reveal to the world the Messiah (v.5b). What a blessing to be a part of this nation!

Isaiah 46:3–4 ESV

3 “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; 4 even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

Now, before we close, look at the end of verse 5 again:

Romans 9:5 ESV

5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

The Privileges of Israel

This is one of Paul’s clear statements that Jesus is God and it’s got to be one of the greatest statements in the Bible that is overlooked. Jesus is the Christ, who is God all over. Of all the great things that have emerged from Israel, nothing is greater than the messiah, the son of the Living God.

Amen.