Author: Charlie Garrett

Sunday, 11 August 2013

…of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. Romans 9:5

Paul continues his list of honors which have been bestowed upon the people of Israel which began in verse 4:

Of whom are the fathers – The fathers are also known as the “patriarchs,” a term referring to the “first” fathers. They are the heads of the household of God’s people who are looked upon as exemplars of faith in and fellowship with God. The patriarchs include Abraham (Hebrews 7:4), the great man of faith who was called and given the promises of God, the sign of circumcision, and who continues to be used as the epitome of faithfulness throughout the pages of the Bible. Isaac and Jacob are considered (though not explicitly termed) patriarchs also. The sons of Israel (Acts 7:8) are called patriarchs as well. And finally, in Acts 2:29, King David is called a patriarch.

From whom, according to the flesh, Christ came – The greatest honor of all for the people of Israel is that one which is noted here. They are the people, the chosen line, through whom came the Messiah, the Christ. His human lineage (according to the flesh) is traced through this group of people and it is they whose records detail His ancestry all the way back to the first man, Adam. In the end, everything is tied together in the “oracles of God” as Paul noted back in Romans 3:1, 2 –

“What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.”

The reason why this is so important to note, along with the other distinctions given by Paul in Romans 9:4 & 5 is that these oracles, meaning the Old Testament, are what tell of the coming Christ and the names of those included in His genealogy – even those not listed in the New Testament record. They also testify to the other distinctions (such as the covenant promises, etc). These were recorded, maintained, and handed down by (and through) the people of Israel. This honor, bestowed upon this group, is not to be thought minimal in any way. Without these records, the knowledge of Christ and His work wouldn’t be properly understood.

The reason for this is that even in the Old Testament, it can be discerned that this coming One would be “over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.” In other words, the deity of Jesus Christ can be understood, clearly and plainly, even from the Old Testament. In addition to this, His manhood is seen as well. Therefore, it is implicit that what was coming as recorded by Israel was the incarnation – God stepping into His own creation and doing what was necessary to right the fault which occurred at the beginning.

Unfortunately for Israel, as Jesus noted in Luke 12:47-48, because these oracles testified to Him (John 5:39), Israel should have known better –

“And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”

Much, a great deal indeed, was given to Israel and they handled the responsibility negligently. Because of this, they went into exile for a second time. How this would affect the rest of the world, and how it will affect this special group of people in the future, will be discussed by Paul in detail in the verses and chapters ahead.

The Jew

Scattered by God’s avenging hand,
Afflicted and forlorn,
Sad wanderers from their pleasant land,
Do Judah’s children mourn;
And e’en in Christian countries, few
Breathe thoughts of pity for the Jew.

Yet listen, Gentile, do you love
The Bible’s precious page?
Then let your hearts with kindness move
To Israel’s’ heritage:

Who traced those lines of love for you –
Each sacred writer was a Jew.

And then as years and ages passed,
And nations rose and fell,
Though clouds and darkness oft were cast
O’er captive Israel,
The oracles of God for you
Were kept in safety by the Jew.

And when the great Redeemer came
For guilty man to bleed,
He did not take an angel’s name
No – Born of Abraham’s seed
Jesus, who gave His life for you,
The gentle savior was a Jew.

And though His own received Him not
And turned in pride away,
Whence is the Gentile’s happier lot?
Are you more just than they?
No: God in pity turned to you –
Have you no pity for the Jew?

Go, then, and bend your knee to pray
For Israel’s ancient race;
Ask the dear Savior every day
To call them by His grace;
Go, for a debt of love is due
From Christian Gentiles to the Jew.

Author unknown

Life application: All of Scripture points to Jesus – His incarnation, which is the uniting of God with humanity. Although this may be a hard concept for us as humans to grasp, it is the clear intent and truth found in Scripture. A denial of the deity of Jesus Christ is a denial of God’s work on our behalf. One who denies Jesus Christ is Lord cannot be saved.

Lord! I am so thankful for those around me that have different gifts. There are hungry people and You have given some the desire to tend to and feed them. There are children waiting to be educated and there are those who enjoy teaching them. There are people in foreign countries who need to hear about Jesus and You have lit a fire in the hearts of some to become missionaries. You have all the bases covered because You are great, O God! Amen.

Saturday, 10 August 2013

…who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;… Romans 9:4

Verses 4 & 5 now describe Paul’s “countrymen according to the flesh” mentioned in verse 3. In these verses nine terms are used to describe them:

Israelites – the direct, blood descendants of Jacob who became Israel. This includes the following sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Also included in the list are Joseph’s two sons – Manasseh and Ephraim. These are the people Israel. Israel is not the church, though there are Israelites in the church. And the church is not Israel; it is a separate working of God during a particular dispensation.

To whom pertain the adoption – God adopted this group of people, bringing them into a covenant relationship and calling them His own special people. Among other verses pointing to this is Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”

The glory – Time and again, the glory of God was manifest to the people of Israel. It occurred in a pillar of cloud and of fire at the Exodus. It happened at the dedication of the tabernacle in the wilderness and again at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem at Solomon’s time. The glory was manifest in particular appearances to select people as well, such as to the father and mother of Samson at the announcement of his birth. The glory was also manifest to Israel in another way. The radiance and glory of God, was manifest to Israel in the Person of Jesus (e.g., John 1:14).

The covenants – the covenant promises of God have come through this specially chosen line of people – through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (who is Israel). The covenant at Sinai was directed to them and for them. David was given a covenant promise as well. Later a New Covenant was promised to the people in Jeremiah 31:31 and it was instituted and realized through the shed blood of a Son of Israel – Jesus.

The giving of the law – This was a unique moment in history when God brought a single group of people near to Himself, displayed His glory before them, and gave them a corporate body of laws which the people agreed to uphold. The law, being the fifth dispensation of God’s workings in human history was given to show God’s righteous standards “which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 18:5).

The service of God – This is speaking of the temple service and functions which were performed by the priests and Levites for the people of Israel. God’s presence dwelt first in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Sacrifices, offerings, and devotions were presented to Him, serving Him during the dispensation of the law.

The promises – Promises of blessing for obedience, of punishment for disobedience, of exile and return, of God’s faithfulness even through Israel’s unfaithfulness – such promises were made to and through this group of people. And the greatest promise was made to them as well. It is the promise of the coming Messiah foretold in Genesis 3:15 and who was anticipated by each faithful generation since Adam. And despite their rejection of Him, this Messiah has promised to return to this wayward and obstinate group of people when they finally call on Him –

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!  See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'” Matthew 23:37-39.

Life application: Israel is a distinct group of people, descended from the patriarch Jacob. The church is not Israel and yet there are those from Israel in the church. Mixing these categories will lead to faulty theology, so don’t mix these categories.

Heavenly Father, it is the greatest comfort to know that You care for me and have called me to be Yours through the work of Your Son. Though I fail, I know that You will never let me go. I stand on the surety of my salvation, knowing that I was unworthy to receive it and I am unworthy to retain it. I know that it was a gift of Your grace and it continues to be so. Thank You for Your faithfulness to Your unfaithful servant. Amen.

Friday, 9 August 2013

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,… Romans 9:3

Here we have the explanation for Paul’s comments in verses 1 & 2 which stated that he was being truthful in Christ and that his conscience bore witness in the Holy Spirit concerning his sorrow and grief of heart. And what was the reason? It was for the sake of his fellow “countrymen according to the flesh,” meaning his Jewish brethren, the people of Israel.

His burden was so great for them that he says, “For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren.” It is astonishing how many scholars come to this verse and reject the plain sense of what Paul is saying. It is simple, direct, and to the point. If he could, he would trade his own place in Christ for the sake of the salvation of his people. Scholars simply cannot conceive that he means what he says and they go into great and lengthy discourses on why he doesn’t really mean this.

The verb Paul uses for “I could wish” is ēuchomēn. It is in the imperfect tense, indicative mood, and middle or passive voice. The translation “I could wish” is exactly what he is saying, not “I did wish” or “I would, but” or any other forced translation. Paul truly meant what he said, just as Moses meant the same thing after Israel’s great sin of idolatry at the base of Mount Sinai –

“Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.'” Exodus 32:31, 32

Paul was fully aware that one cannot take the place of another in eternal damnation. However, it didn’t change the feelings he had concerning the matter. This is the reason for invoking the name of Christ and the witness of the Spirit in the first two verses of chapter 9. The person who truly understands the state of the afterlife for those who fail to receive Christ’s gift is then impelled by the highest sense of responsibility to share that message. And his heart should be so broken for their state that they would likewise be willing to take their place rather than see them perish.

As we move through chapters 9-11, we will see Paul’s thoughts on Israel, both in his present and into the future. When one sees the church as replacing Israel, then of course they would try to force a translation other than what Paul clearly intended. But when we see that their rejection of Christ is not the end of the story for them, Paul’s words make all the more sense.

Life application: How broken is your heart for the lost around you? And not just those whom you love or are close to, but those with whom you have no affiliation at all except the bond of humanity. When we look at ourselves as sinners saved by grace, then how can we not look at those around us and feel the pain of a broken heart at their fallen state?

Heavenly Father, I may not share the same politics or ideologies of those around me, but I share the common bond of humanity. I once was blind to the truth of Your word and was on the wide path leading to destruction. Now that my destiny has changed, give me the desire and the ability to lead others onto the narrow path which leads to life. Break my heart for the lost around me, O God. Amen.

Thursday, 8 August 2013

….that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. Romans 9:2

This is the continuation of the previous half of Paul’s thought. He had stated that he was speaking the truth and that his conscience bore witness in the Holy Spirit to this fact. His heart truly had “great sorrow and continual grief.” The reason for this pain will be explained as the chapter unfolds and as he writes his great dialogue on the state of Israel during this time of their rejection of Christ Jesus.

What Paul shows us here, and what we will find throughout the New Testament, is that there truly is a time for grief. As Solomon puts it in Ecclesiastes 3:4 –

A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;

At the same time as bearing his grief, Paul was also filled with joy continually (e.g. 2 Corinthians 7:4). From this we learn that there is room for both states in the heart at the same time and that there is nothing wrong or deceptive with it. Our lives can be filled with joy immeasurable at the prospect of eternity with Jesus and yet broken at the unsaved status of those we love. Paul shows us that this is so and therefore we can confidently live in the same manner without belying the joy of our salvation.

Life application: There is nothing wrong with grieving. In fact, it would show a failing in us if we didn’t grieve over the lost. Let your heart be broken for that which breaks the Lord’s heart.

Heavenly Father, my life is filled with joy, peace, and contentment at the promise I have in Christ. I am full to overflowing in this way. And at the same time, my heart grieves for those who haven’t received the peace and salvation which You freely offer to all. Please open the eyes of those I love to the truth of the good news. This is my prayer today. Amen.

Wednesday, 7 August 2013

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,… Romans 9:1

After eight detailed chapters concerning deep theological and doctrinal truths, chapter 9 suddenly turns in a new direction – the state of the Jewish people in the world and their status before God at Paul’s present and into the future. This discourse will continue through chapter 11. After this section will come Paul’s exhortations to the church in Rome to close out the book. Because of the seemingly unrelated nature of Romans 9-11, it is often called a “parenthesis” in the book. But the importance of Israel as a people is an integral part of what God is doing in human history.

The “church age,” also known as the “Dispensation of Grace” will not continue on forever. Depending on how you interpret the rest of theBible, and especially Israel’s status, your expectation of what will occur after the church age will be completely different than someone who perceives Israel’s future role differently. In other words, “Is God through with Israel?” “Has the church replaced Israel?” “Is there still a plan and purpose for the people of Israel?” What is correct and how can we tell?

In 9:1, Paul begins with “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying.” What he will relate to us is either truth or it is a lie. If it is a lie, then nothing else he has said can be held as reliable either. In other words, his words here are either an anchor which holds fast for the entire epistle, or they are the cunning deception of a man who desired to pull his audience into the depths of a raging ocean. By invoking the title of “Christ” in his vow, he is making a claim that Christ is, in fact, God. This can be determined from the Old Testament, of which he once served as a Pharisee. In Deuteronomy 6:13 it says –

“You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.”

By invoking Christ in Romans 9:1, he is either blaspheming the name of the Lord (Jehovah) or he is claiming that Jesus is the incarnate Word of God – Jehovah in the flesh. After claiming the truth in Christ and affirming it, he reaffirms it by calling on the Holy Spirit as a witness to his conscience. The matter which he will state is of such importance to him that he has brought the very fellowship of the Spirit who resides in him into the matter. In essence, either I am crazy, or the Spirit testifies to the truth as a witness along with me.

Life application: Jesus, as well as the apostles after Him, tell us to let our yes be yes and our no be no. In other words, let our words be of such weight that when we speak, those around us will know they are the truth. At times, however, a matter may be of such importance that we must invoke God in our words. Invoking anything less than God is idolatry. Let us never flippantly invoke God’s name and let us never invoke any thing in creation when making a vow.

Lord God, sometimes I find that just being still in Your presence and thinking on Your greatness is the most wonderful place to be. I can think on Your creation and all its beauty. I can think on Your word and all its lessons, and I can think on what You have given me in the life of Your Son. At times like these, I am filled with the joy of Your presence. Thank You for the quite moments with You. Amen.