Romans 9 is a challenging chapter. As a new preacher in my church, the regional
supervisor for our fellowship suggested that I avoid it. For years I wondered
why but it didn’t take long to understand that the reason so many people skip
over Romans 9 is not so much the contentious idea of predestination,
but also the scathing assessment of ethnic Israel.
Having said that, though, we must remember that Paul while
engaging in this topic is not doing this to be controversial, he is doing this
to tell the truth. My
earlier Blog was intended to show that Paul believed that what he was about
to say was both in line with Christ Jesus’ teaching and inspired by the Holy
Spirit.
Having stated his credentials he then states the incredulity
of the problem. We note in Romans 9:2–5 (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. 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.”
Stated succinctly, it is absolutely clear that Paul’s
agonizing, unrequited distress is that he fellow Jews are both, and at the same
time:
a. Cut off from Christ and cursed; and
b. Children of the Covenant.
Is Paul really saying that the Jews were cut off from
Christ? Or is he simply wishing that if
it were possible he would be cut off for their sake? I think both.
His love for them, mimicking Moses as recorded in Exodus
32:30-33 is very likely. But I also
think he is saying that he would take their position of being cursed (for that
is what they are) so that they might be saved.
Does the Bible teach that the Jews as a nation are outside of Christ and
under His wrath? Yes! For example:
“What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to
make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared
for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of
mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— even us whom he has called,
not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?” (Romans 9:22–24, ESV)
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God
for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a
zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the
righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit
to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to
everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:1–4, ESV)
On the surface, for any thinking student of the Word of God
is inconceivable and inconsistent. It
makes total sense to me that when the notion of Israel’s loss of status before
God is even suggested that well-meaning, thinking people would consider it
absurd. But it is not!
Notice the privilege of this nation. Verse 4 and 5, I believe, is drafted in synonymous
and parallel ideas. It looks like this:
“Paul describes six benefits or privileges that
rightfully belonged to Israel based on their status as God’s chosen people: the
right to be part of God’s family (adoption), experience His presence (glory),
enter into relationship with Him (covenants), receive His revelation (law),
worship at His temple (service), and enjoy His promised blessings (promises).”[1] “All of these privileges pertain to the
Patriarchs and their seed. Notice that Paul does not say that Christ belongs to
them but that He came from their flesh. This is to indicate that the
culmination of all the promises given to the Patriarchs is seen in the person
of Jesus Christ.”[2]
Therefore the stark realization that these Israelites
had all these privileges and yet as a nation are “cut off from Christ” and are “accursed”
is a stunningly sober reality – almost too much to believe. This will give rise
to the very obvious and necessary question: “Has the Word of God failed?” (see
verse 6)
This is a critical question to modern Christians,
whether Jewish or Gentile. Can we really
trust God to save us as He promised or might we too be abandoned as Israel
was? When God says, “For I am sure that neither death nor
life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Romans 8:38–39, ESV) will He
actually keep that promise?
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