Romans 8:28-9:24 and it's true meaning

Romans 8:28-9:24 and it's true meaning...

Part 2- Romans 9 and God's freedom

"9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 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,[a] 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."

- When I listen to Arminianistic teachers exegete this text they always start on the emotions right here. In verse 2-3 Paul is speaking of his anguish and sorrow for the Israelites who won't believe. He even says he is willing to be cut off from Christ if they would only believe. And the arminian will ask, "is Paul more loving and passionate for the souls of unbelievers than the God who created them?" And this question will get the emotions going.

The real question we should be asking is, "is God desiring the salvation of all people and trying hard to obtain it, and failing?" Then Paul explains them as the covenant people who's line produced the Christ. Then we see a magnificent Christological statement, "who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen."

"6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel..."

- I needed to comment on this verse by itself. For not all who are descended from Israel (Jacob) belong to Israel (God's people)...
This can support the Reformed position in two ways. Either God only elected some out of Israel and not others, or God has redefined the lines of his people. Some versions put it this way, "for not all Israel are descended from Israel..." I love that translation because it sinks right in to the meaning of verse 25 on... The gentile mission is Paul's calling, so it makes sense no matter what way you put it.

"7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”"

- This text is a "prooftext" for some people. Some say, "see, not all are children of Israel who are descended from Abraham." And I get that, and believe that. Ishmael wasn't of the promise, got it. But Abraham and Isaac weren't renamed Israel. Jacob was, and the next section will tell us how Jacob was chosen.

"10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”"

- "Though the twins were not yet born and had done nothing good or bad... in order that God's purpose of election might continue." This is magnificent because it goes against the traditional interpretation of the arminian that one isn't elect untill after their regeneration. Jacob was chosen to be the promise child and elect of God before he was even born or had done anything to merit it. And it was all in the purpose of God. "Because of him who calls..." The historical interpretation is that this is the call of salvation that appears in Romans 8:28-30.

"14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion,[b] but on God, who has mercy.

- is God unjust for his electing of Jacob over Esau? No. Jacob and Esau are mere creatures created by God. His will is bigger and more experienced than ours. His power is limitless. We are just clay in his hands as we will figure out in a few verses. He will have mercy and compassion on whomever he wills. So it does not depend on the man that wills to follow him or the man who works to follow him, but on God who shows mercy...

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills."

- Pharaoh is the prime example of God's will being accomplished. Pharaoh's sin nature hardened himself then God hardened him. In this hardening God spoiled the gods of Egypt, delivered his people and wiped out the Egyptian army. Did Pharaoh get a chance or a call to salvation, well, no he died. It didn't work out too well for him. So then he has mercy on whomever he wills and he hardens whomever he wills.

"19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 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, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—"

Why does he find fault if he wills for us to never respond? Doesn't he still call us and hold us guilty for not responding. Yes, the eternal call of the Gospel is presented Everytime I witness to a non-believer and he doesn't respond. The reason he doesn't is because his sin nature hates the gospel. Will what is molded say to the molder, "why did you make me as you did?" No it won't. The Potter has complete freedom in his creation of his vessels. We have to right to challenge it. He makes some as vessels of honor and some of dishonor. He makes some as vessels of mercy fitted for glory and some as vessels of wrath fitted for destruction. And he says he does this beforehand...

"24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles..."

This is a conclusive statement!!! For those who believe that the gentiles are first being introduced here. Y'all engage in bad exegesis here. He says he formed these vessels not just from among the Jews, but also from among the gentiles.
This chapter is so powerful and important. If you read on he goes into (rather smoothly) a talk on the gentile mission and how they are beloved as well. So please consider these truths as you read this today.

Soli Deo Gloria!