Romans (Written)

Saturday, 2 November 2013

For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Romans 11:34

Paul cites a verse from Isaiah 40. Taken with its surrounding verses, we get a glimpse at the “depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” There Isaiah records the Lord’s majesty to Israel –

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding?” Isaiah 30:12-14

Unlike human rulers – kings, dictators, presidents, emperors, etc., the Lord needs no counselor, nor is there anything that He lacks in wisdom or knowledge. If someone were to attempt to advise the Lord, that attempt would be futile. All things were created by Him and so all knowledge to be discerned from within creation by a created being is already known to Him. His mind is infinitely higher than the individual knowledge of man as well as the sum of the accumulated knowledge of man. In fact, if the storehouse of man’s knowledge were to be maintained and updated for all eternity, it would still be infinitely less than the knowledge of the infinite Creator; a finite can never attain to the infinite.

Because of this, there is none who can advise God on what to do. Our prayers which attempt to “help God along” in His decision process are futile. And our prayers which attempt to “mandate” or “claim” something from God border on blasphemy. He sees the end, we don’t. Therefore, to make a claim from God in essence assumes that the claim is in line with His future intentions; something we cannot know. If we claim prosperity or healing and God intended that we are to be poor or sick, then we have essentially usurped His divine will through our prayer.

And this avenue follows through with the subject matter of Romans 9-11. Whether we agree with Israel’s return; whether we accept God’s mercy upon Israel or not; and whether we like or don’t like the people of Israel – none of that matters. God has shown us in His word the state of the nation, the extent of His mercy, and the love He has for His disobedient people. For us to work against these things, or to pray against them, is only a sign of our own rebellion against Him. God is working out an immensely detailed and marvelous plan. Let us be found in accord with it, not striving against it!

Life application: In your prayers, don’t “advise” God on what He should do. And, in your prayers, don’t “mandate” to God what is right. Rather, petition the Lord for that which You desire and be ready to accept His answer – be it yes or be it no. He is God; the answer belongs to Him alone.

Lord, today I realize that not all things are centered around me. In fact, I don’t know if I will be alive tomorrow. Because of this, I see that I am wholly dependent on You for all things and that I have no right to claim anything from You. Forgive me for my presumptuous prayers of the past. In the future, I will ask and wait on Your answer, knowing that You have the best plan in mind for me. Amen.

Friday, 1 November 2013

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! Romans 11:33

For the second time in this epistle, Paul enters into an open expression of worship of God. In chapters 1-8, he gave instruction on doctrinal matters and finished that with a praise concerning the relationship which has been established between God and man because of the work of Christ. In chapters 9-11, Paul has conducted a lesson into dispensational matters – the church age and the relationship between Jews and Gentiles during that age. Showing that God is in complete control of what is happening and what will come about, He finished this section with his “mercy verses.”

Now with a resounding note of praise, adoration, and awe he breaks into a doxology which shows finite man’s inability to comprehend the magnificence and greatness of God. He begins with an interjection which is the Greek letter “Omega.” This translates directly to “O!” It is as if he looked at the previous discussion and was unable to grasp what just flowed from his pen – the immensity of understanding the grafting in of the gentiles, the rejection of the Jews, and yet the return of the Jews to their high position at some point in the future – all of this suddenly dawning on him. “Oh! The depth of the riches…”

He speaks of the riches of God being poured out upon undeserving man. God’s treasure trove of goodness is unlimited and eternal. There is no end to the blessings which can come from Him and there is, for those who are the objects of His favor, no end to the blessings that will come from Him. God is pleased to bestow these riches upon His creatures so that they may in turn glorify Him. Because God is eternal, the stream of these riches will proceed ceaselessly and endlessly to those who are His called, chosen, and elect.

Paul then turns to “both the wisdom and the knowledge of God.” There is debate on the reading here. Two options are:

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” or
“Oh, the depth of the riches and of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God!”

It is either “depth” describing “riches” and then “riches” describing “the wisdom and the knowledge,” or each is an individual tenet. The difference isn’t small, and one should contemplate both options because both fill the mind with a different type of wonder at what Paul is saying.

“The wisdom” of God and the “knowledge” of God are introduced separately because they reflect different characteristics which are too often incorrectly mixed together in our thoughts. “Wisdom” is the proper application of the will in order to meet a good end. In the context of Romans 9-11, it is speaking of that use of God’s will which will bring about the “mercy” on all people. This was seen in the preceding verses. The plan of redemption is so wise that it is beyond our ability to fully grasp. We can read the words, understand their meaning, but never come to fully understand how God has or will continue to exercise His will, while at the same time allowing man the free will he has been given.

The knowledge of God is certainly speaking on several levels – His intelligence, which is infinite; and His foreknowledge, which is timeless. Because He knows all things, both immediately and intuitively, God is able to anticipate every possibility that could occur in every part of His creation. There is nothing which could surprise Him and nothing which could break down in what He has constructed. From the minutest atom to the grandest galaxy, all things are working harmoniously because of the intellect which created and sustains these things.

Because of the depth of these tenets of God – the riches, the wisdom, and the knowledge, Paul’s pen issues ink into words which are insufficient to relate the concept he is trying to convey, which is in turn insufficient to relate what that thought is trying to grasp. “How unsearchable are His judgments!” Here he uses a term found nowhere else in Scripture, anexeraunēta, to describe God’s judgments.

The word means to search out or investigate, but it begins with a negative. His judgments cannot searched out; they are beyond the ability of man to even locate. What He has determined can be studied, contemplated, charted, graphed, argued over, and communicated, and yet none of this is or could be sufficient to fully explain them. In the end, there will always be questions which, even if answered, will only lead to more questions. The finite mind will never fully search out what has been determined in the execution of His infinite plan.

“And His ways past finding out” brings in another term which begins with a negative, anexichniastoi. It is used only one other time in Scripture. Paul, writing to the Ephesians, uses it concerning the work of God in Christ –

“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ…” Ephesians 3:8

This word, similar to the preceding one, means to “trace out” or to “track.” We can search high and low, near and far, and never fully understand the ways of God. Isaiah speaks of this wisdom when quoting the Lord –

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.'” Isaiah 55:8, 9

In the end, redeemed man will eternally be in the presence of God, beholding His splendor and marveling at what He has done. We will forever contemplate, but never fully grasp, the magnificence of the glory of God. Eternity itself will reveal that we will need eternity to pursue this glorious Creator.

Life application: What will we do in heaven? How can we live forever without getting bored? Don’t worry about that! The infinite glory of God will be ceaselessly revealed to us. There will be no end to the discovery of His majesty. Eternity itself will be needed to search out the depths of our eternal God.

Heavenly Father, because You are infinite in Your wisdom and knowledge, I will need eternity to search out Your glory. I thank You that because of Jesus, the eternal life that I need to contemplate You is available. I look forward to an endless, ceaseless procession of Your wisdom, knowledge, and goodness. Thank You for Christ in me, the hope of glory! Amen.

Thursday, 31 October 2013

For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. Romans 11:32

Again, Paul uses his common conjunction “for” in order to explain the previous two “mercy verses” with this concluding thought before he moves on to his stirring doxology. “For God has committed them all to disobedience” refers to the previous disobedience of the gentiles who now have obtained mercy and the currently-disobedient Jews who will obtain that same mercy.

The word for “has committed” is one which gives the thought of imprisonment. A comparable concept would be fish caught up in a net. God has thus bound both categories of men, Jew and Gentile, so “that He might have mercy on all.” In essence, He imprisons so that He may set free; He binds so that He may release; He confines so that He may lead to broad spaces.

All who come to Christ were first found to be in Adam; all who are forgiven were first under sin; all who are adopted as sons were once orphans. Because of this, each will understand the freedom and privilege which they have been granted. It is through contrast that we learn to discern the differences.

In this thought of committing all to disobedience, it cannot be inferred that this was actively done by God. Rather, from Adam’s free-will choice, all came under condemnation and so all were bound under sin. From that, God had mercy on a select group of people and called them to Himself. Their eventual rejection of Christ was voluntary. At the same time, the gentiles voluntarily streamed to the gospel. Thus the committing of the Jews to disobedience was a self-inflicted imprisonment while at the same time the voluntary choice of the gentile people brought us to God’s mercy.

When an offense is committed, the judge is right in sentencing the criminal, the jailer is right in executing his duties of imprisoning the offender, and the executioner is not guilty when he flips the switch on “Old Sparky” to put those who commit capital crimes to death. In the same manner, God is not to blame when His instructions, which were plain and clear, are violated or ignored.

Moreover, He provides sufficient data for what He expects so that all who are so bound are without excuse when the evidence is presented. One cannot stand before God and use the claim that their sentence is unfair. Not knowing about Jesus doesn’t condemn a person. Being a human being, born of Adam condemns a person. Being presented with Jesus and rejecting Jesus only increases condemnation. And being presented with Jesus and accepting Him frees Adam’s seed from condemnation. Therefore, all are bound under disobedience that God might (not will) have mercy on all.

Life application: A common question, and what is often used as an indictment against God’s fairness, involves those who have never heard the news about Jesus. How can God condemn such a person? Be ready to answer this. Man is “already condemned” according to John 3:18. We need nothing to be separated from God; that already is the case. In His mercy, God sent Jesus. The choice is ours to accept or reject the offer. Ensure they know to choose wisely.

Heavenly Father, how rich and wonderful are the blessings found in Christ. There is freedom from the law, freedom from sin, freedom as a child in Your house. Instead of attempting to please You by my own work, I stand by faith in the work of Christ. I know that in Him, I shall be accepted on that great Day which all men are destined for. Thank You for the freedom only He can provide. Amen.

Wednesday, 30 October 2013

…even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. Romans 11:31

The reciprocal of verse 30 is now given. Placing both verses side by side will provide clarity –

“For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.”

The disobedience of the Jews led to mercy upon the gentiles (verse 30). However, this isn’t the end of the story as so many in the church seem to believe. Instead, Paul says “even so…” The Greek word for “even so” indicates “in this manner.” And so, in the same way as verse 30 was explained concerning the gentiles, it can now be shown true with the Jews.

“These also have now been disobedient…” In the ages past, God’s mercy was shown on the Jews, calling them, and giving them His covenant and its associated care, protection, and blessings. During this time, the gentiles were mostly excluded from that favored status. However, the covenant contained stern warnings for disobedience. There was a first exile which was intended as chastisement for correction. This was a 70-year exile to Babylon. However, disobedience followed again after restoration; Christ was rejected and crucified. And even after the resurrection, the ultimate proof of His Messiah-ship, He was rejected. A second time of punishment would come.

How long would this punishment last? The Bible tells us specifically. In Ezekiel 4, the times of punishment are spelled out in detail by using the prophet as an object lesson. He was told to lay on his side. Once he was to lay on his left side for 390 days (Israel’s punishment). Then he was told to lay on his right side for 40 days (Judah’s punishment). This is a total of 430 days. He was told each day equated to 1 year. Therefore, Israel (the combined nation) could expect 430 years of exile. The Bible and history record the Babylonian exile which lasted 70 years. That left 360 years of exile for continued disobedience.

However, there is a caveat found in the curses of Leviticus 26. In verse 18, it says – “And after all this, if you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.”

If the first exile didn’t have its intended effect, the second term would be multiplied by 7. Therefore, 360 years multiplied by 7 comes to a total of 2520 years. From the dating of the original exile (God’s mercy is evidenced in the times of punishment running concurrently) until 14 May of 1948 (Israel’s reestablishment) it was, as history records, 2520 biblical years. A biblical year (also called a “prophetic year”) is 360 days, not 365 days. Exactly as God determined in ages past, Israel was reestablished as a nation 907,200 days after its original date of exile – perfection in the details of Scripture which match what occurred in history.

This doesn’t mean that Israel is again in a state of obedience, but that God was faithful in that “through mercy shown to you they may obtain mercy.” The Church Age has been a time of God’s mercy upon the gentiles during Israel’s time of rejection. Now, the Church Age is nearing its end and God is readying Israel to take is rightful place in redemptive history; the Kingdom Age anticipated by the apostles in Acts 1:6 is just ahead of us. Israel of today is not an aberration, but a part of God’s perfectly detailed and perfectly executed plan for the people of the world.

Life application: We don’t need to guess or speculate about fulfilled matters of redemptive history. They are exactingly and precisely detailed in God’s word. What we need to do is keep our noses in that word and draw out what He has so meticulously conveyed to us… read your Bible!

Glorious God! Your word is so perfectly detailed. It is so meticulous and exact in all it records. The more I read it, the more amazed I am at the marvelous perfection it displays. Open my eyes to see wonderful things in Your word, and lead me each day to a fuller understanding of it. This I ask that You will be glorified and I will be edified. Thank You for Your word, O God. Amen!

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,… Romans 11:30

Romans 11:30-32 are “mercy verses.” Four times in three verses the concept of God’s mercy is revealed in His dealings with man. The section begins with “for” which means that it cannot be separated from the previous thought, but instead explains it. We have been shown the state of the Jewish people in relation to the gentiles concerning both the gospel and election; they are enemies of God in one respect, but beloved by Him in another. The reason for this is that regardless of their state of obedience, they are “beloved for the sake of the fathers.”

In the United States, there is a law – the US Constitution. The office of President is defined in this law. If a president adheres to the precepts of that office, then he is a “friend” of that law. If he fails to adhere to it, he is an “enemy” of that same law. The law hasn’t changed, but he has changed in relation to it. This however doesn’t mean that all presidents will be enemies of the law. There is a process for electing presidents, removing presidents, etc. For the sake of the presidency, the office of the president is “beloved” of the constitution even if the current president is its enemy.

This is somewhat like what is going on with Israel and this is what the “for” in Romans 11:30 is explaining. “For you were once disobedient to God…” is speaking of the gentiles. There was nothing to draw them close to God. They had inherited their first father’s sin and there was no covenant to bring them into a binding relationship. Only Israel had such a mark of distinction. Outside of them, God in “bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways” (Acts 14:16).

However, because of Christ, the gentiles could be brought near to God in a new way. We “were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience.” The Jewish people as a whole were disobedient to the New Covenant found in Christ, desiring to remain under the Old (see Luke 5:36-39). But the Old only pointed to the New and so by rejecting the New, the curses of the Old came upon them.

During this time of disobedience, those who were once far off (the gentiles) have been brought near. We have obtained the mercy of Christ which would otherwise have gone directly to Israel, thus ushering in the Kingdom Age. But God, knowing they would reject Jesus, ordained an entirely separate dispensation during their time of being cast off, the Church Age. This is why Paul says that “through their disobedience” we have obtained mercy.

And yet, at the same time, the Old Covenant guaranteed that they (as a collective whole) would remain beloved of God regardless of their obedience or disobedience. This was because of the promises made to the fathers, which is actually recorded in their covenant.

When America has a disobedient president, there are provisions for impeachment and removal of that individual, but these don’t affect the status of the office itself. When Israel is collectively disobedient, there are provisions for punishment (Leviticus 26/Deuteronomy 28), but these don’t affect the status of the promises made to the fathers. Again, just as the Constitution is fixed and unchanging (not an “organic” document), even when the president changes in relation to it, so is it with Israel and the promises of God. The promises don’t change, but the people may change in relation to them.

Understanding this concept should keep the church from error, but the church has failed to grasp it and in many denominations she still fails to grasp it. What is written of Israel is binding and it is unchanging. Unlike the US Constitution which can be amended, God’s word is eternal. We err when we ascribe the change which has taken place in Israel to the covenant. When we do so, several things happen –

1) We misinterpret God’s plans for the nation of Israel
2) We misunderstand the church’s place in redemptive history
3) We ascribe (whether we admit it or not) fault to God’s covenant instead of where it rightly belongs. And by doing so,
4) We call into question God’s integrity by indicating that His covenant isn’t reliable

Paul is showing us this sequence of events for a reason and asking us to pay heed to it. If God isn’t reliable toward His beloved but disobedient people Israel, then He won’t be reliable to His objects of mercy during this point in history either. God forbid that this would ever be true!

Life application: God doesn’t change. God’s word is a reflection of who He is. God’s word is unchanging and reliable. Stand firm in your faith and in the surety of the words of Scripture.

Lord God, Your word is a reflection of who You are. If I quote it to establish a point of my faith, then it assumes that all of it is truth. If I claim that it isn’t absolutely authoritative, then I have no right to quote it at all. And so I stand on the entirety of Your word. Because I do, now is the time to work on proper doctrine that You will be glorified in my conduct and adherence to what You have stated. Be with me during this process, O Lord. Amen.