The Issue is Faith.

Paul begins his opening with chapter nine by changing the direction of the argument.

Israel’s Current Condition - Heartbreaking

You can sense the sincerity of the the burden of Paul. There is not doubt that he loves the People of Israel and wishes for them that they would follow God as their LORD.

There is a geo political issue.

Rome is sitting in their Capitol and because of Israel’s rebellion they do not have the blessing of God upon them.

There is a worship issue.

They have clung to the rights and images of Religion not having realized that the function was pointing to the Messiah they rejected.

There is an eternity issue.

They are headed to hell. Please understand that without faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ the Messiah of the Jews. Every person will spend and eternity in hell.

And this breaks the heart of our Apostle.

Israel’s Beginning - Glorious

All of this is so heartbreaking when you consider the glorious start of the Israelite people.

Romans 9:4 KJV 1900

Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Adoption - He pulled them from the Ur of the Chaldeas in a man named Abram.

Glory - He lifted Abram above all others on the earth.

Covenants - He made a covenant with Abram that did not have Abram as even an active participant, but that God was going to extend to them his unmerited grace.

Law - The law was given as a gift to teach us our need for the Messiah.

Service of God - Imagine a exchange system whereby the works of a man become the glory of a holy and divine being.

Promises - God had given wonderful promises to Israel and they were not experiencing them now. But they were a part of their heritage.

What cause such a downward spiral.

If you were to look at Israel you could say that God may have dropped the ball on the Promised people of God. If you were just observing from the outside it does not look like God has really been all that good to the people of Israel.

Illustration: This was the attitude of the ancient world. If you lost a battle it is because your God is less powerful than the victor’s. Is this right.

1. God’s word is still affectatious. (6)

It is not that the word of God has taken no effect: Paul thinks of someone looking at Israel and saying, “God’s word didn’t come through for them. He didn’t fulfill His promise for them because they missed their Messiah and now seem cursed. How do I know that He will come through for me?” Paul answers the question by asserting that it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. Guzik, D. (2013). Romans (Ro 9:6–9). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV 1900

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

vs

Hebrews 4:2 KJV 1900

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

The issue was faith.

2. Not all Jews are God’s people.

God’s people are defined by faith not by bloodline. (6)

Romans 9:6 KJV 1900

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

The issue is faith.

Is this downward Spiral an example of God’s failure.

The answer is no. Of course not. In fact we would say that Israel is an example of God’s extreme faithfulness.

Paul Illustrates the examples of God’s faithfulness.

1. God’s demonstration of Grace through the lineage of Isaac. (9)

This is to say “as opposed to his faithfulness to Ishamael.” We know that God was faithful to Ishmael. In spite of the fact that his birth came as a result of sin. God still blessed his family and made him a mighty nation.

But God more greatly blessed Isaac through the deliverance of Jesus Christ to the world.

2. God’s demonstration of Mercy through the lineage of Jacob. (11-13)

Jacob did not deserve the grace of God. Not in character, kind, or action. But God was faithful to continue his covenant with their father Jacob.

God is the one that chooses to whom he will show mercy.

Romans 9:15–16 KJV 1900

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

God faithfulness is the same to us.

He has chosen to whom he will show mercy.

He has chosen to show his mercy to those that will place their faith in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:4–5 KJV 1900

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Titus 3:5 KJV 1900

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

1 Peter 1:3 KJV 1900

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Efficacy of His Word.

His word is still active and alive today and to the saint that will cling to it they will find God faithful.

The determining factor is faith.

The key to God’s faithfulness in the OT was the same as it is today. Faith is what gives us access to the grace, mercy, and faithfulness of GOd.

God is faithful. He desires only that his are full of faith.