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The Mystery of God’s Choice (Part 1)
Romans 9:1-13
Mari Ikeda
A. The reality that the people chosen by God are rejecting God (1-5, Deuteronomy 7:6-8)
1 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. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
B. A choice based on promises, not ethnicity or kinship (6-9)
6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
1. God chose Isaac, not Ishmael
2. Ishmael, who was not chosen
C. Those who are wise will heed these things and consider the love of the LORD (42, 43)
10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad —in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
1. God chose Jacob, not Esau
2. Esau, who was not chosen
D. What does God choose us for?
Summary
The only way we can live our lives believing Jesus as Lord is by God’s will and his plan. Our background, personality, and past experiences do not matter and the standards and values of human society do not matter when it comes to God’s choice. God’s choice might seem unilateral and even unfair by our standards, but in his choice we see his love and faithfulness.
For Discussion
- What do you think about the fact that Ishmael and Esau were not chosen?
- What is “God’s choice”?