Author: Charlie Garrett

Friday, 6 September 2013

…but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Romans 9:31

“But” is set as a contrast to 9:30 – “That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith.”

Israel actively pursued the “law of righteousness.” The same word used for “pursue” when speaking of the Gentiles in the preceding verse is used again in this one. What the Gentiles didn’t pursue, they attained; the same thing was pursued by Israel and yet not attained. However, this is speaking on a national level, not on an individual one. Peter, Paul, and the other apostles, plus many early believers were all Jews. Throughout the ages, Jews have likewise come to Christ. But Israel as a whole, who had been given the law, did not attain to what they actively strived for.

The “law of righteousness” Paul speaks of here is the law given to govern them as a people. It had several components to it. The first is that it demanded perfection from its people, something unattainable. The second is that when perfection couldn’t be attained, grace was found within its rituals – sacrifices and offerings, which included the Day of Atonement. But these required something more than their mere observance. The thing they required in order to be effective will be seen in the following verse, Romans 9:32.

Before evaluating that, we can contemplate an example of what was lacking directly from Jesus’ words –

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14

Life application: As individuals pursuing righteousness, we need to constantly evaluate what it means for us to be “righteous.” If we misunderstand or ignore what God expects, we may become like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time and God will not favor our life and conduct, no matter how scrupulous we are in our external observances. Pay heed to what the Bible teaches concerning God’s favor and live your life in faith.

Lord, Micah asked what was the required offering to be brought to You – burnt offering? Oil? His firstborn? What would please You? He then answers his own question – To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before You. Lord, You have given Your best in the granting of Jesus. Help me to give my best in response – in  justice, love, mercy, and humility. May my walk be pleasing to You, O God. Amen.

Thursday, 5 September 2013

What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; Romans 9:30

“What shall we say then?” This question is introduced in order to provide a response to Paul’s thoughts on verses 14-29. In essence, “How shall I sum up these things?”

Depending on how one views the concept of “total depravity” and also how we become justified before God, different views of how to handle this verse will be proposed. Those who follow Calvinism will naturally use these words, along with other verses such as Romans 3:10-18, to state that the gentiles could not seek after righteousness. This is not at all what is being said, nor is that what Romans 3:10-18 is saying (refer to those commentaries if necessary).

Rather, the word translated as “pursue” speaks of the exertion of ongoing, concentrated vigor towards something. A comparable thought would be a hunter following after game. There is nothing in this verse to state that the gentile world didn’t pursue righteousness in some capacity. We can look around the world and see numerous examples of non-Christians who seek peace, the welfare of others, etc. All of these are done as deeds looking to establish some sort of righteousness.

The pursuit which Paul is speaking of here is the right-standing which leads to justification before God – the fulfillment of the law. How could the Gentiles pursue after that which they did not have? It was the nation of Israel who had the law and they pursued after it with zeal because it was what established them as a people and what offered them life and peace. It also promised them a right relationship with God. The problem for them came in how they pursued it.

The Gentiles didn’t have this opportunity, until Jesus. Suddenly the flood-gates of heaven were opened wide to the whole world at large, Jew and Gentile alike. The law, which was that means of being reconciled to God, was fulfilled by Him and in Him. Now, rather than pursuing wrong avenues of righteousness on one’s own merits, the proper avenue could be pursued by the merits of Another – He who fulfilled the needed righteousness. Any Gentile, and the number of them started small but grew rapidly, could attain to righteousness now, “even the righteousness of faith.”

This term, “the righteousness of faith” is what proves that this has nothing to do with Gentiles seeking righteousness in a limited (or wrong) way. Instead, it demonstrates that they understood, immediately upon hearing the word, that the avenue they had been pursuing (one of deeds) was wrong. The deeds merely interfered with any hoped-for relationship and attainment of righteousness. This was because they became a form of self-idolatry. “I have done these great things; God will love me.”

This is fully substantiated by the coming three verses. Stay tuned as we complete chapter 9 with those thoughts.

Life application: Where is your righteousness to be found? If you state anything other than “in Christ Jesus” you have missed the mark. In and of ourselves, there is no true righteousness. Christ has done the work. Now, place your faith in Him and you will stand righteous before God; not on your own merits, but on the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

Gracious heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Jesus to do what I could never have done. He came and fulfilled the law which stood contrary to me. Now because of His work and then His sacrifice on my behalf, I stand in His righteousness. Thank You for this glorious offer of reconciliation and thank You for all that it signifies for our eternal relationship of peace and fellowship. Amen.

Wednesday, 4 September 2013

And as Isaiah said before:
“Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah.” Romans 9:29

Again Paul cites Scripture to support the argument he is making. In verse 27, he showed that because of Israel’s disobedience, only a remnant would be saved. This was promised in the law at the time of Moses in the blessings and curses. It is noted elsewhere in Scripture, both as future prophecies and as prophecies fulfilled (such as in the recorded names and numbers of the returning exiles in Ezra and Nehemiah).

Two exiles were prophesied for Israel – the Babylonian one came about prior to Paul’s time; the Roman one would occur in the year AD70 at the hands of the Romans. Paul knew it was coming on the nation based on their rejection of Christ. And so to show that God’s workings were anticipated and deserved, he quotes Isaiah 1:9.

“And as Isaiah said before…” He has twice quoted Isaiah and he turns again, right to the beginning of this prophet’s book to highlight that this wasn’t just expected, but that it was a note of highlight. Isaiah doesn’t begin with words of Israel’s obedience and supremacy among the nations. Instead, he begins with their disobedience and prophesied destruction.

“Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed…” The Lord is “Jehovah;” Sabaoth is often translated as “Hosts.” Thus, unless “Jehovah of Hosts” is the idea we are to understand. As noted in 9:28, “Jehovah” is the covenant keeping God who bestows the blessings and executes the curses upon the covenant people. “Hosts” is a military type term used of an organized army. We can therefore understand this verse as, “Unless Jehovah of Heaven’s Armies had left us a seed…”

What is implied by using this term is that the warriors of heaven itself have come to fight against the disobedient and unruly people. Their instructions were destruction. They were to execute their duties with full determination of purpose, with the exception of “a seed.” Leaving but a seed is synonymous with sparing a remnant. A seed by itself when watered will again grow into a multitude. Here then is a picture of the “righteous remnant” saved by the Lord of Hosts for the unveiling of His glorious future plans for Israel.

But if this seed had not been spared, Isaiah says that, “We would have become like Sodom, and We would have been made like Gomorrah.” The Bible’s noted example of wickedness leading to destruction is Sodom and Gomorrah. Like the Flood of Noah itself, there were but a few survivors. In the case of the flood, only eight survived, out of a world of people. In Sodom, only Lot, his wife, and his two daughters were spared. But even Lot’s wife was lost when she turned back to view the destruction.

Paul is using examples of temporal destruction at God’s hand to show that He truly is angry at sin and that the disobedient will be cast off. But he is also demonstrating that God, even in destruction, will keep His covenant promises. This is an important and often overlooked aspect of Romans 9. Unless we look back to this truth, found in the promised blessings and curses, we could come to the conclusion that God has, in fact, cast off His people Israel. But such was not the case in the first exile and such is not the case with the second one either. Israel has been returned to the land by the covenant-keeping God. This was done to fulfill the ancient promises to this group of people.

Life application: Is God not in control? Who could honestly look at the nation of Israel today and not see that they must be there for a reason. Prior to their re-gathering, spiritualizing Old Testament prophecies could almost be regarded as acceptable, though it would still be considered far-fetched. But now, with their re-establishment in the rear-view mirror, we are without excuse when we reject what God is beginning to do through them. Have faith that God is in control and that Israel of today is not an aberration.

Lord Jesus, though Israel as a nation hasn’t yet called on You, it will happen. Both Old Testament and New show us that this is so. Who am I to fight against what You have clearly laid out in Your word. I stand with Israel – the coming recipients of Your favor when You return again. Amen.

Tuesday, 3 September 2013

For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth. Romans 9:28

Romans 9:28 is a quote from Isaiah 10:23. However, Paul cites the Greek translation of the verse. The Hebrew reads a bit differently, but the general sense of the passage comes through either way.

It needs to be remembered that this verse is speaking of Israel, just as the previous one is. The distinction between Israel and the church is consistently clear. There is not an overlapping of the two, nor does Paul ever attempt to demonstrate that Israel transitions to the church; one replacing the other.

The previous verse, speaking of Israel who were “as the sand of the sea,” will be so depleted in number that only “the remnant will be saved.” The way this will occur is spoken of now. It will be accomplished by the Lord who “will finish the work.” This means that the Lord will bring the deed to a completion. What He has spoken will surely come to pass and it will be executed exactly as He spoke – “only a remnant will be saved.”

Not only will He finish the work, but he will “cut it short in righteousness.” This will surely come to pass, and it will come to pass speedily. Cutting something short means that what one might originally perceive as a lengthy process will suddenly and exactingly come about. The reason for this swift action is because it is done “in righteousness.” What God does is always perfectly just, including the execution of His judgment. And as an explanation of why this is so, we are given the second half of the verse – “Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”

From Isaiah’s perspective, the “Lord” in this verse is referring to “Jehovah.” He is the covenant keeping God who bestows the blessings and executes the curses upon the covenant people. The list of blessings and curses is detailed in both Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. When the people adhered to the covenant’s precepts, the blessings were lavished upon them. However, when disobedient, the curses would come. And yet, as a continued grace even in times of disobedience, the promise of a protected remnant remained –

“Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, nor shall I abhor them, to utterly destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I am the Lord their God.” Leviticus 26:44

Outside of this remnant though, there would be only judgment by the hand of the Lord. He promised to “make a short work upon the earth.” This “short work” is the execution of the decree, thus showing His adherence to the covenant they rejected. Finally, “upon the earth” is not speaking of the entire earth, but rather the land of Israel. The term in Hebrew is ha’eretz. This term is commonly used throughout the Old Testament when speaking of Canaan alone. Even in the New Testament this sentiment is found. An example of this was Jesus speaking to the people of Israel in Matthew 5:5 –

“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.”

Life application: God has been faithful to His covenant people Israel. Even in their judgment His faithfulness is seen. If He failed to meet the promises of His covenant, including those detailing judgment, He would not be a proper Steward of that covenant. The very act of judgment demonstrates His grace. Left to themselves and without His covenant care, they would have been completely consumed by the surrounding nations or by their own hand. His judgment, though strict, has actually preserved them. If this is so with Israel, it is also true with you. Understand that when you receive God’s chastisement, it is because you belong to Him. See Hebrews 12;7, 8.

O Lord, I don’t look forward to the times of discipline, but I know that through them, You are refining me and molding me to become more like You. Help me to learn from each correction and to refrain from repeating the same mistakes. Help me to be a competent, trustworthy child in Your household and an example to others of Your handiwork. To Your glory I pray. Amen.

Monday, 2 September 2013

Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved.  Romans 9:27

Paul has established that there was, in fact, a plan and a place for the gentiles in God’s redemptive workings, but to demonstrate that what had occurred to Israel should have been expected, he turns again to their own Scriptures. He cites Isaiah 10:22, 23 as supporting verses, but he could have pulled out countless others.

Paul says that “Isaiah also cries out…” In other words, what he wrote wasn’t a quiet “Oh, by the way…” comment written by one of the minor prophets. Rather, it is a declarative statement by Israel’s prince of the prophets which should have been heard and heeded. Paul’s statement that Isaiah “cries out” is intended to show that there was simply no excuse for not understanding his words. They were boldly proclaimed and should have been painfully evident to the people.

And they weren’t written about the surrounding nations as so many prophetic utterances were. Instead they were “concerning Israel.” God was telling them in advance that despite being His chosen people, there would be consequences for rebellion. Such consequences included a state which would bring them almost to the point of extermination – “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea” is an obvious description. There were millions of Israelites living in the land and feeling secure in their status. This was a state that they could look all the way back to Abraham for –

“By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.” Genesis 22:16, 17

The father whom they looked back to was given incredible promises which recognized them as God’s people. From him came Isaac and then Jacob. Through this line came the exodus and the giving of the law. Among this people could be found God’s temple and the great line of kings; the Davidic dynasty. Surely they were safe and secure. But Isaiah told them something different; something they didn’t want to heed, “the remnant will be saved.”

A remnant is but a small portion of the whole and is the part which is least favored, such as when one cuts off the extra portion of a carpet. Normally, the choice part is kept, but the remnant is discarded. But in the case of Israel, the opposite would be true. Only the remnant would be saved. Paul, citing Isaiah in this way, surely meant to show the nation that what he wrote wasn’t just pertaining to the time of the Babylonian exile, but that it was an established principle that could (and was going to be) repeated. Solomon wrote of this principle in Ecclesiastes –

That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

God had exiled the northern kingdom to Assyria. He did it again to the southern kingdom when they were taken to Babylon. Paul was demonstrating that this would again occur because of their rejection of Christ.

Understanding that this was known to Paul from the very Scriptures which established Israel as a people, we can properly evaluate what he will say in the coming chapters and verses concerning Israel of Paul’s future (and our present). Failing to heed this established pattern has led to the doctrine of “replacement theology” which says that the church has replaced them. Paul is showing, in advance, that this isn’t the case. As happened before, so it will be again – a remnant will be saved.”

Life application: God’s intent and purpose for Israel didn’t end with the coming of Jesus. Nor did the church replace Israel as a people. Rather, during Israel’s time of exile for their rejection of Him, God has worked to procure a unique people for Himself from among the Gentiles. When this dispensation ends, God’s attention will be redirected fully toward Israel, preparing them for the return of Jesus. He will dwell among them during the next dispensation, the millennial reign of Christ. Because this is what the Bible teaches, remember to pray for Israel – that eyes will be opened and hearts will be converted.

Heavenly Father, You have returned Israel to their land for Your reasons, including as a preparation for the return of Your Son. This truth is seen in both testaments of Your word and is evident to any who are willing to search out the truth of the matter. Open eyes and hearts to this wonderful news – that Jesus is returning to His people when they call on Him as Lord. May it be soon. Amen.