NGH BIBLE STUDY – ROMANS – OUTLINE #19
The Principles of Divine Election (Romans 9:1-13)
We are moving now into the fourth major section of Romans –
The first section (Rom 1:1-3:20) dealt with the Proof of Man’s Sin,
the second section (Rom 3:21-5:21) dealt with the Principles of God’s Salvation, and
the third section (Rom 6:1-8:39) dealt with the Process of the Believer’s Sanctification.
The final major section (Rom 12:1–16:27) will deal with the practical implications for everyday living. But first, in this fourth section (Rom 9:1–11:36) Paul will deal very directly with God’s purposes for the Nation of Israel. In the first 8 chapters he has outlined God’s amazing purposes, his power and his faithfulness – now he’ll deal with the question “What about all God’s promises in the OT to Israel? Are they all void now? If they’ve all been set aside – then is God really faithful? Can He really be trusted?” Paul will show in these three chapters that God is indeed faithful – and his promises to Israel still stand and will be fulfilled. He’ll deal with Israel’s past in chapter 9 – their present in chapter 10 – and their future in chapter 11.
Outline
Rm 9:1-5 – Paul’s Genuine Love and Deep Sorrow for Israel
• Paul’s grief for his “kinsmen according to the flesh” – i.e. ethnic Israel (Rom 9:1-3)
• Israel’s unique national privilege (Rom 9:4-5) – eight specific privileges unique to Israel – culminating in the greatest of all – Christ came from Israel.
Rom 9:6-9 – God’s Word has not Failed – God Sovereignly determines the line of blessing
• Key statement at start of Rom 9:6 “it is not that the word of God has taken no effect”
• Not all the seed of Abraham were children of promise – as seen with Isaac and Ishmael
Rom 9:10-13 – God’s Sovereign Choice – as seen with Jacob and Esau (Israel & Edom)
• God’s choice was not based on works or merit or worth – it was based on his own sovereign purpose.
• Jacob and Esau represent two nations – Jacob’s name would be changed to Israel and the “children of Israel” would be his descendants. Esau’s descendants would be the Nation of Edom (Rebekah was told “Two nations are in your womb” Gen 25:23)
• Quotation from Malachi 1:2-3 “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated”
Key Points/Questions for Discussion
1. Why is Paul so adamant in defending God’s sovereignty and emphasizing that his promises to Israel have not been broken? (hint – God’s faithfulness is tied to his sovereignty)
2. Do these three chapters (Rm 9:9-11) suggest that the church today has replaced Israel in divine purpose? Or do they refute that idea? Does God still have a future for “national” Israel – i.e. their purpose as a nation – not just individual salvation for individual people.
3. Do individual Jewish people today have any special standing with God? Is there any difference today in God’s purposes between Jews and Gentiles?
4. How do we understand the seemingly very strong language used of Jacob & Esau (“Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated”). Can a loving God hate? How do we understand this expression?