I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I WILL HAVE MERCY
ROMANS 9:1-17
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY GOD ALLOWS SOME THINGS TO HAPPEN? WHY IS IT THAT HE ALLOWS A MILITANT GROUP LIKE ISIS TO THRIVE IN OUR WORLD? WHY IS IT THAT HE CHOSE TO ALLOW US TO LIVE IN SUCH A RELATIVELY SAFE PLACE, AND PUT OTHERS IN THE MIDST OF WAR AND FAMINE? GOD IS IN CONTROL, AND WITH A SWIPE OF HIS HAND OR JUST A VOCAL COMMAND, HE COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD SITUATION, SO WHY DOESN’T HE AND ALLIEVIATE ALL THE STRESS AND PAIN THAT IS IN THE WORLD? IS IT FAIR FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS TO FLOW TO SOME AND NOT TO OTHERS?
THIS IS THE ISSUE THAT PAUL SEEKS TO ADDRESS IN THE NEXT THREE CHAPTERS OF ROMANS. THIS WOULD APPEAR TO BE OUT OF CONTEXT, AND, IN SOME WAYS UNNECESSARY FOR PAUL TO DEAL WITH HERE. IT WOULD HAVE MADE PERFECT SENSE TO GO DIRECTLY FROM 8:39, TO ROMANS 12:1, BUT PAUL CHOSE TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE IN MORE DETAIL RIGHT HERE.
SOME BIBLICAL SCHOLARS CHOOSE TO LOOK AT ROMANS 9-11 AS A COMPLETE CHANGE OF FOCUS OR DIRECTION AND DO NOT ASSOCIATE IT WITH CHAPER 8 AT ALL. I BELIEVE IT IS STILL A PART OF PAUL’S IDEA BEING PRESENTED IN CHAPTER 8.
CHAPTER 8 IS ONE OF IF NOT THE MOST ENCOURAGING CHAPTERS OF SCRIPTURE FOR THE CHRISTIAN. TO KNOW THERE IS NOW BECAUSE WE ARE BORN-AGAIN THAT THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION AND DEATH HAS NO VICTORY OVER US. WHO CAN NOT BE ENCOURAGED BY PAUL’S WORDS IN VERSE 38-39:
ROMANS 8:38-39:
FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, 39 NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD
PAUL IN CHAPTER 9 BEGINS BY DEALING WITH THE FACT THAT MANY OF HIS OWN PEOPLE, THE “CHOSEN PEOPLE” HAVE CHOSEN TO REJECT THE CALL OF GOD TO THEM. IT IS LITERALLY BEYOND THE COMPREHENSION OF PAUL THAT THIS WOULD BE THE CASE WHICH HE IS THINKING ON AS HE BEGINS CHAPTER 9 FOR WHEN YOU PUT THE LAST TWO VERSES OF CHAPTER 8 WITH THE FIRST THREE VERSES OF CHAPTER NINE A NEW INTERPRETATION IS POSSIBLE.
ROMANS 8:38-9:3:
FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, 39 NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. 9 I SPEAK THE TRUTH IN CHRIST—I AM NOT LYING, MY CONSCIENCE CONFIRMS IT THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT—2 I HAVE GREAT SORROW AND UNCEASING ANGUISH IN MY HEART. 3 FOR I COULD WISH THAT I MYSELF WERE CURSED AND CUT OFF FROM CHRIST FOR THE SAKE OF MY PEOPLE, THOSE OF MY OWN RACE, 4 THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT IF A STORY IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT PROBABLY IS. I BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT PAUL FACED AS HE BEGAN CHAPTER 9. THE JEWISH PEOPLE COULD ACCEPT SOME OF THE TRUTH PAUL SPOKE OF WHEN IT CAME TO THE MESSIAH, BUT FOR THE MESSIAH TO COME IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST, AND FOR HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS TO BE SUFFICIENT TO THE POINT THAT NO FURTHER ANIMAL SACRIFICES WOULD BE NECESSARY, AND TO HEAR OF THE BEAUTY OF HEAVEN THAT AWAITED THEM THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, WAS TOO MUCH FOR THEM TO ACCEPT.
THERE WAS A USED CAR SALESMAN IN MY HOMETOWN THAT EVERYBODY KNEW. HIS FAVORITE SELLING LINE WAS “THE CAR WAS ONLY USED BY A LITTLE OLD LADY TO GET TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY.” EVERYONE LAUGHED BECAUSE WE USUALLY KNEW THE PERSON WHO TRADED THE CAR IN. HIS STORY THOUGH WAS ALWAYS THE SAME. “LISTEN, I’M TELLING YOU THE TRUTH”, BUT WE USUALLY KNEW WHAT THE TRUTH WAS.
I’M SURE YOU HAVE USED SUCH AN EXPRESSION, OR MAYBE ONE LIKE IT. “AS GOD AS MY WITNESS”, “IT’S NO WORD OF A LIE”, “MAY GOD STRIKE ME DEAD IF WHAT I SAY ISN’T TRUE”. (AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T SAY THAT WHEN SOMEONE ASKS YOU THE SCORE OF THE GOLF GAME YOU’RE PLAYING. THERE’S TOO MUCH OPEN COUNTRY).
PAUL THEN, IS TRYING TO CONVINCE THE JEWS WHO ARE LISTENING TO HIM THAT WHAT HE SAID IN CHAPTER EIGHT WAS TRUE. HE MAKES THE STATEMENT IN VERSE 1 THAT HIS CONSCIENCE CONFIRMS IT IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
WHAT PAUL IS SAYING IS THAT WHAT HE SAID, AND IS ABOUT TO SAY, HE SAYS WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE. SOMETIMES WHEN WE ARE PUT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WE WILL SAY THINGS LIKE, “I DIDN’T SLEEP TO WELL THINKING ABOUT IT”, OR MY CONSCIENCE WAS BOTHERING ME ALL DAY LONG”.
PAUL THEN IS TELLING US THAT HE IS AT PEACE WITH WHAT HE HAS TAUGHT THEM TO THIS POINT, AND AT PEACE WITH WHAT HE IS ABOUT TO SAY. HE IS NOT AT PEACE WITH THE IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT HE IS GOING TO SAY, BUT HE IS CONVINCED IN HIS SPIRIT THAT IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO SAY.
SATURDAY NIGHTS ARE ALWAYS DIFFICULT NIGHTS FOR ME AS FAR AS SLEEP IS CONCERNED. I AM NOT SO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I’M PREACHING ABOUT, BUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE SERMON AND HOW IT’S RECEIVED AND WHO RECEIVES IT, WILL ALWAYS KEEP ME AWAKE. LET’S GO TO THE PASSAGE NOW AND ASK GOD TO ENLIGHTEN OUR HEARTS AS WE STUDY IT.
I BELIEVE THIS PASSAGE CAN BE BROKEN UP INTO THREE DIFFERENT ASPECTS.
POINT ONE: ISRAEL’S REJECTION OF GOD AS A NATION
POINT TWO: GOD’S CHOICE OF ISSAC OVER ISHMAEL
POINT THREE: GOD’S CHOICE OF JACOB OVER ESAU.
POINT ONE: ISRAEL’S REJECTION OF GOD AS A NATION: (9:1-5)
AS PAUL SPEAKS HERE TWO EMOTIONS FROM PAUL REALLY STAND OUT: 1. DESPERATION
2. DISBELIEF (NOT IN GOD, BUT THAT THE ISRAELITES AS A
NATION COULD REJECT HIM)
WE HAVE SEEN IN VERSE ONE HOW DESPERATELY PAUL WANTS THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL TO COME TO THE LORD. HE IS SO DESPERATE FOR THIS TO OCCUR THAT HE PRAYS A PRAYER SIMILAR TO MOSES AFTER THE GOLDEN CALF INCIDENT.
MOSES PRAYED:
EXODUS 32:31-32:
SO MOSES WENT BACK TO THE LORD AND SAID, “OH, WHAT A GREAT SIN THESE PEOPLE HAVE COMMITTED! THEY HAVE MADE THEMSELVES GODS OF GOLD. 32 BUT NOW, PLEASE FORGIVE THEIR SIN—BUT IF NOT, THEN BLOT ME OUT OF THE BOOK YOU HAVE WRITTEN.”
PAUL REALIZES THAT THE JEWS HAVE COME UNDER GREAT CONDEMNATION FOR REFUSING TO EMBRACE THE GOSPEL. HE KNOWS THAT THERE ARE ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES TO THEIR DECISION. HE KNOWS THAT THEY ARE MISSING ON GREAT BLESSINGS BECAUSE OF THEIR DECISION.
PAUL’S DESPERATION IS COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT IT IS NOT JUST FOR THE SALVATION OF HIS CULTURAL “BROTHERS”, AND THE NATURAL LOVE HE HAS FOR HIS PEOPLE. PAUL IS ALSO CONCERNED THAT ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF HAS RUPTURED THE COURSE OF SALVATION HISTORY. HAVE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN PROMISED SO MANY BLESSINGS IN FACT BEEN DISINHERITED? PAUL WILL SHOW US IN VESE 6 THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE.
WHAT PAUL SHOWS US HERE, IS THE CONCERN THAT WE SHOULD HAVE FOR OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS, AND OUR COUNTRYMEN. I’M NOT SURE IF THERE IS A DESPERATION TO EVANGELIZE AS THERE ONCE WAS.
CAN WE PUT OURSELVES IN PAUL’S POSITION WITH RESPECT TO OUR NATION? IF WE PRAY IN DESPERATION FOR OUR LEADERS, COULD GOD NOT MOVE IN THEIR HEARTS TO CHANGE SOME OF THE DECISIONS THEY HAVE MADE IN THE PAST?
CAN WE NOT JOIN THE PEACEFUL PRAYER VIGIL IN BATHURST, AND BE A DESPERATE VOICE FOR THE UNBORN?
THE MOVIE “FACING THE GIANTS” HAS A CHARACTER OF A MAN WALKING THE HALLS OF THE SCHOOL EVERY DAY, PRAYING FOR THE STUDENTS WHO USE THOSE LOCKERS. I DO THIS WHEN I’M AT SCHOOL AND HAVE A NOON DUTY. NOW I TAKE TIME WHEN WALKING AT THE CIVIC CENTER TO DO THE SAME THING AND PRAY FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL SIT IN THOSE SEATS, AND THE PLAYERS WHO WILL PLAY THE GAME, AND THOSE WHO WILL OFFICIATE? I PRAY THAT THEY WILL SOME WAY COME TO KNOW CHRIST, AND THAT THEY WILL BE KEPT SAFE IN THE GAME.
THE CALL TO DESPERATE PRAYER HAS TO BE MADE TO A DESPERATE PEOPLE. IT IS NOT A CALL TO THE WORLD. IT IS A CALL TO THE CHURCH TO WALK UP AND TAKE A STAND.
PAUL THEN LISTS A NUMBER OF DIVINE PRIVILEGES THAT ARE GIVEN TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE THAT MANY ARE NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF, IN FOLLOWING GOD.
1. PAUL IS CAREFUL, HERE, FIRST OF ALL TO REFER TO HIS PEOPLE AS “ISRAELITE”, NOT JEW. “ISRAELITE” IS A SPECIAL RELIGIOUS POSITION, TO MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE. IT IS NOT A NATIONALISTIC DESIGNATION AND HAS RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE EVEN IF NOT ACCEPTED BY MOST OF HIS PEOPLE.
A) ADOPTION: PAUL IS USING THIS TERM IN A DIFFERENT WAY HERE THAN HE DID IN CHAPTER 8. THERE IT WAS FOR INDIVIDUALS, HERE IT IS FOR THE NATION. GOD’S ADOPTION OF ISRAEL AS HIS “CHOSEN PEOPLE”, CONVEYS TO THE NATION ALL THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES INCLUDED IN THE OLD COVENANT. THESE BLESSINGS DO NOT INCLUDE SALVATION FOR EVERY SINGLE ISRAELITE.
CONSIDER IT THIS WAY. BECAUSE WE ARE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT NOW, THAT OF THE CROSS, THE WHOLE WORLD IS PART OF GOD’S “CHOSEN PEOPLE”. HE WANTS TO BESTOW HIS BLESSINGS AND PRIVILEGE TO ALL.
2 PETER 3:8-10:
THE LORD IS NOT SLOW IN KEEPING HIS PROMISE, AS SOME UNDERSTAND SLOWNESS. INSTEAD HE IS PATIENT WITH YOU, NOT WANTING ANYONE TO PERISH, BUT EVERYONE TO COME TO REPENTANCE.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE WORLD IS TURNING FROM GOD AND GOING ITS OWN WAY, MUCH LIKE THE ISRAELITES DID. THAT DOES NOT STOP GOD FROM LOVING THE WORLD AND WANTING TO BLESS THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, EVEN THOUGH NOT ALL WILL ACCEPT THE BLESSINGS GOD HAS FOR THEM.
THEN YOU AND I WALK IN PAUL’S FOOTSTEPS OF DESPERATION AND DISBELIEF. HOW WE WANT OUR SPECIAL LOVED ONES TO ACCEPT THE BLESSINGS AND PRIVILEGES GOD OFFERS AS WE HAVE. HOW IT BOGGLES THE MIND, KNOWING THE BLESSINGS OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES, WOULD NOT BE WANTED BY EVERYONE.
B) THE SECOND PRIVILEGE IS THE “GLORY”. THIS REFERS TO GOD’S
CONTINUING PRESENCE WITH ISRAEL, OR HIS “SHAKINAH” GLORY. IT IS THE KNOWLEDGE, NOT JUST THE FEELING, THAT GOD IS PRESENT IN THEIR LIVES.
C) THE “COVENANTS” HERE IS NOT REFERING TO JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT SACRIFICIAL COVENANT, BUT TO SEVERAL OF THE COVENANTS THAT GOD MADE WITH PEOPLE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
PAUL WAS SHOWING PEOPLE GOD’S CONTINUING PRESENCE WITH THEM AS INDIVIDUALS, AND MARKED THEM AS “SPECIAL PEOPLE”, OR PEOPLE WHO HAD A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
HE DOES THIS TODAY AS WELL. BECAUSE OF THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH CHRIST, WE SHOULD DEAL WITH OUR DAILY ISSUES IN A MUCH DIFFERENT WAY THAN THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE THAT RELATIONSHIP. THIS DIFFERENCE WHOULD BE ATTRACTIVE AND SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED BY PEOPLE.
D) THE “GIVING OF THE LAW” SIMPLY REFERS TO THE FACT THAT GOD CHOSE ISRAEL TO GIVE THE LAW. IT IS A SPECIAL GIFT TO A SPECIAL PEOPLE.
E) “TEMPLE WORSHIP” COULD REFER TO ISRAELS WORSHIP OF GOD WHEREVER AND WHENEVER IT WAS CARRIED OUT, BUT MORE LIKELY WAS A FOCUS ON THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM.
THIS IS TRUE IN OUR WORLD TODAY AS WELL. GREAT NUMBERS OF PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEY CAN WORSHIP GOD ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE. IT IS OFTEN SAID THAT “I DON’T HAVE TO GO TO CHURCH TO WORSHIP GOD.” I DARE SAY THAT IN MOST CASES THERE IS NO WORSHIP BEING DONE IN THOSE OTHER AREAS AS WELL.
IT IS ALO TRUE THAT PEOPLE WILL COME TO CHURCH ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS. THEY ARE THE FOUR SEASON WORSHIPPERS. THEY COME AT CHRISTMAS, EASTER, THANKSGIVING, AND USUALLY MOTHER’S DAY. THEY ARE HERE FOR THE SEASON, CHURCH IS PART OF THE ROUTINE.
WHAT PAUL IS SPEAKING OF HERE IS THE BLESSING THAT PEOPLE HAVE WHEN THEY TRULY ARE COMING TO CHURCH TO WORSHIP GOD. IT IS WHEN THEY TRULY WRESTLE WITH ISSUES IN THEIR LIVES AND SEE GOD WORK IN THEIR MIDST.
F) THE “PROMISES” THAT PAUL CONCLUDES VERSE 4 WITH ARE THE PROMISES GIVEN TO ABRAHAM AND THE OTHER PATRIARCHS. THESE ARE PROMISES THAT IF FOLLOWED WILL BE PASSED ON DOWN TO THEIR DESCENDANTS.
2. THE SECOND PRIVILEGE THAT PAUL SPEAKS OF IS IN VERSE 5. IT IS THE PRIVILEGE OF “BELONGING”. IT IS THE PRIVILEGE OF BELONGING TO THE SAME SPECIAL GROUP AS “THE FATHERS” OR “THE PATRIARCHS.”
THIS BELONGING TO THE PATRIARCHS IS IMPORTANT, AS GOD HAS MADE PROMISES TO ABRAHAM, ISSAC AND JACOB THAT ARE VALID BOTH FOR THEM AND THEIR DESCENDANTS.
WHAT GREAT PROMISES GOD HAS MADE TO THESE PATRIARCHS, AND THESE PROMISES ARE PASSED ON TO THOSE OF US WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST.
THINK OF THE NAMES OF GOD.
• El Shaddai:“God Almighty.” The derivation is uncertain. Some think it stresses God’s loving supply and comfort; others His power as the Almighty one standing on a mountain and who corrects and chastens (Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Ex. 6:1; Ps. 91:1, 2).
• El Elyon: “The Most High God.” Stresses God’s strength, sovereignty, and supremacy (Gen. 14:19; Ps. 9:2; Dan. 7:18, 22, 25).
• El Olam: “The Everlasting God.” Emphasizes God’s unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness (Gen. 16:13).
• Yahweh Jireh (Yireh): “The Lord will provide.” Stresses God’s provision for His people (Gen. 22:14).
• Yahweh Nissi:“The Lord is my Banner.” Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15).
• Yahweh Shalom:“The Lord is Peace.” Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest (Jud. 6:24).
• Yahweh Sabbaoth:“The Lord of Hosts.” A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven (1 Sam. 1:3; 17:45).
• Yahweh Maccaddeshcem: “The Lord your Sanctifier.” Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes (Ex. 31:13).
• Yahweh Ro’i: “The Lord my Shepherd.” Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 23:1).
• Yahweh Tsidkenu: “The Lord our Righteousness.” Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness (Jer. 23:6).
• Yahweh Shammah: “The Lord is there.” Portrays the Lord’s personal presence in the millennial kingdom (Ezek. 48:35).
• Yahweh Elohim Israel: “The Lord, the God of Israel.” Identifies Yahweh as the God of Israel in contrast to the false gods of the nations (Jud. 5:3.; Isa. 17:6).
(3) Adonai: Like Elohim, this too is a plural of majesty. The singular form means “master, owner.” Stresses man’s relationship to God as his master, authority, and provider (Gen. 18:2; 40:1; 1 Sam. 1:15; Ex. 21:1-6; Josh. 5:14).
3. THE LAST PRIVILEGE THAT PAUL POINTS OUT IN THESE VERSES IS THAT “THE MESSIAH” IS FROM THEM. HE IS BEING CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW THIS FACT TO INDICATE SPECIAL “OWNERSHIP” BY THE ISRAELITES OF THE MESSIAH. HE ALSO IS CAREFUL TO HAVE THEM KNOW THAT THEY HADVE NO SPECIAL STATUS BECAUSE THE MESSIAH CAME FROM THEIR GROUP. THEY DO HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN HISTORY, BUT THAT SPECIAL PLACE HAS NO SALVIFIC VALUE.
CONCLUSION:
THESE ARE SOME OF THE BLESSINGS AND PRIVILEGES THAT WE HAVE AND ARE OPEN FOR ALL PEOPLE TODAY. NOT ALL WILL ACCEPT THEM AND THEY WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THOSE CONSEQUENCES.
JOHN 1:11-13:
HE CAME TO THAT WHICH WAS HIS OWN, BUT HIS OWN DID NOT RECEIVE HIM. 12 YET TO ALL WHO DID RECEIVE HIM, TO THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD—13 CHILDREN BORN NOT OF NATURAL DESCENT, NOR OF HUMAN DECISION OR A HUSBAND’S WILL, BUT BORN OF GOD.
THIS IS THE WONDERFUL PLAN THAT GOD WISHES YOU TO RECEIVE TODAY. HE WANTS YOU TO BELIEVE ON HIS NAME, TO ACCEPT YOU AS LORD AND SAVIOR OF YOUR LIFE, THAT THESE BLESSING AND PRIVILEGES WILL BE YOURS TODAY AND FOREVERMORE.
IT IS NO WONDER THIS PASSAGE ENDS WITH A BENEDICTION:
ROMANS 9:5:
AND FROM THEM IS TRACED THE HUMAN ANCESTRY OF THE MESSIAH, WHO IS GOD OVER ALL, FOREVER PRAISED! D AMEN.
