January 19 - Paul teaches about Israel

January 19 - Romans 9-11 - Paul teaches about Israel

These three chapters are based on Jewish criticism that Christianity eliminates God's promises to Israel. Paul begins by immediately saying that God's heart goes out to Israel. He also states that he would willingly give up his life if it would save the people of Israel (Romans 9:3-4).

Romans 9:6-29 goes on to say that God has not broken His covenant with Israel, but Paul asks us to consider what 'Israel' really means. He points out that God continually surprised His people by the choices He made in men through whom the covenant would be supported. If God were a covenant breaker, how could we, as Christians, trust Him to maintain a covenant with us. Paul has just spent quite a bit of time ensuring that Christians know the eternal security there is when placing your faith in Christ.

Paul is pointing out that God's sovereign will is beyond the works of the patriarchs or of any man. He will do what He chooses and it will be the right choice. Romans 9:31-33 very clearly states that works will not achieve righteousness.

Paul continually speaks of 'Israel' in this section, rather than the Jews. He emphasizes over and over that the true children of Abraham are not necessarily those who are descendants by birth, but those who come into the fold by faith. He is arguing that the true Covenant community is composed of Gentiles and Jews.

Romans 10:1-15 continues the development of the thesis on righteousness by faith and not by works and then in Romans 10:16-21, Paul uses Old Testament scripture to show that God was preparing the world for inclusion of the Gentiles.

The last chapter of the section speaks to Gentile's arrogance regarding their inclusion over the Israelites. (Romans 11:18, 25). He also categorically denies that God rejected his people (Romans 11:1, 11).

Romans 11:11-24 is such an exciting passage. Because of what happened to and through the Israelites, provision was made made for Gentiles - that's you and me! - to be reconciled to God. In Romans 11:25-32 Paul reminds his readers of the promise that all of Israel will be saved and points out that this is a mystery. Only as God makes it known, will we understand.

The last few verses of this chapter, Romans 11:33-36 are a climax and benediction for the first half of the letter. Amen.