In a Nutshell 4-25-10
Election: Part of God’s Amazing Plan (Romans 9)
I began on Sunday by reminding the students that the book of Romans is all about the gospel. In 1:16-17 Paul says this letter is about the gospel and everything he has said so far has been about it. This chapter is no different from the others. It is also about the gospel. But it gives us more insight into the inner workings of the gospel. I told the students that the gospel is like an onion. It has layers. In chapter 3:21ff Paul talks about the first layer. It’s the layer we see the most. This is the decision layer. It’s when a person decides to place their faith in Jesus or not. In 5:12 Paul reveals the second layer. This layer shows us that our sin problem was inherited from Adam. We were dead in sin even before we could do wrong. Chapter 9 reveals the core of the onion. It shows us that God elected certain individuals to be saved. It shows that a person’s decision to accept the gospel is contingent on what God decided before the foundation of the world.
I reminded the students of the context of Romans 9. In Romans 8 we learned that we can never be separated from God’s love. (8:35–39) Paul now is going to anticipate a question. So what about Israel? If God’s children can never be separated from His love then why does it seem like He has abandoned His people Israel. Why is it that more Gentiles accept the gospel than Jews do? Why do the majority of Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah? Paul begins addressing these questions by looking at God’s plan for Israel in history. He lists 8 privileges that God gave to Israel.
1. God’s plan for Israel in history (vv. 4–5)
A. Eight privileges God gave to Israel
o Adoption
o Glory
o Covenants
o Law
o Worship
o Promises (of Messiah)
o Patriarchs
o From their race came Jesus
GOD’S PLAN HAS NOT FAILED!
Paul concludes the list by saying that God’s plan has not failed. It continues today the same that it always has. Paul explains what he means in the following verses.
2. God’s plan for Israel defended (vv. 6–23)
A. Paul’s point: Just because you are Abraham’s descendent does not mean you are God’s child (vv. 6–7).
• Example of Isaac (vv. 7–9)
o “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”
Abe had other sons (Gen 25:1–2)
• Ishmael
• Zimram
• Jokshan
• Medan
• Midian
• Ishbak
• Shuah
o “Sarah shall have a son.”
Abe had children by other wives
• Hagar
• Keturah
Paul uses these examples to show how God chose one of many of Abraham’s sons. Not all of Abe’s sons were chosen by God, only one of them was.
• Example of Jacob (vv. 10–13): God chose Jacob over Esau.
o even though they were twins
o even though they had the same mom and dad (unlike Isaac and his bros.)
o before they were even born
o before they could do good or bad
Paul uses an even better example in this case. Some may have rejected the first example Paul gave because it included half brothers. They may have said that it was a poor example because Ishmael was born of a concubine while Isaac from Abraham’s wife. So Paul goes one step further and uses the illustration of twins to show that God chose one over the other.
B. God is doing today the same thing He has always done: calling/electing certain individuals regardless of human works (v. 11), will (v. 16), or exertion. (v. 16)
Paul anticipates that some may not like his statements about election so he defends election in the following verses.
3. God’s plan of election defended
A. Argument One: That seems unjust (v. 14).
• Answer: Well it is not. God is in charge and can do what He wants.
o Example of Moses (vv. 14–16), Exodus 33:19– Mercy of God
Paul refers to the time when God showed His glory to Moses. God told Moses that He was being merciful in showing him His glory.
o Example of Pharaoh (vv. 17–18), Exodus 9:16– Hardening of God
Paul refers to the 10 plagues and how God used them to reveal Himself to Pharaoh. But God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that He did not respond positively to the revelation.
Paul said in Romans 2:4 that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. It’s not something we choose. It’s done by God.
B. Argument Two: Then God is to blame for the unsaved (v. 19).
• Answer: Shut your mouth and know your role. Without God no one would be saved.
o Illustration of the Potter (vv. 19–24)
God is the creator and has the right to do with His creation what He wills. Just like a potter can choose to make a pot for a good use or a gross use. It’s up to the potter to decide the job for the pot.
o Example of Gentiles from Hosea (vv. 25–26)
God has been merciful in saving Gentiles from their sin. This shows His great mercy and love.
o Example of Israel from Isaiah (vv. 27–29)
Paul was Jewish and was glad that God drew him to Himself. Even today God is drawing Jewish people to the truth of the gospel. Just like He has done throughout history. Paul brings his argument full circle in these verses. God is doing the same thing today that He has always done. He is drawing to Himself those whom He elected before the foundation of the world.
I concluded by telling the students that election teaches us how thankful we should be for our salvation. Without God we would have had no hope of salvation.
