- The example of Isaac and Ishmael.: (9:6-10):
Paul addresses the problem saying: “it is not as though God’s word had failed” (9:6a). For not all those who are descended from Israel are truly Israel. The root problem is whether God’s word is true, whether God is faithful to His promises? Paul then points out that, not all biological children of Abraham are inheritors of the promise. Some descendants of Israel are disqualified. The failure of the Jews to respond to the gospel of Christ did not mean God’s Word had failed. Instead their rejection was simply God’s sovereign choice established in the Old Testament. One meaning of the name Israel is “governed by God.” Paul says: not all Israel is really governed by God. So God’s word did not fail, because they are not all governed by God. No one is truly Israel unless he is governed by God. We have a parallel situation with the word ‘Christian.
Ex. In India it is very much true that everyone who calls himself Christian is not truly a follower of Christ.
Ishmael was born to Abraham through Hagar, further Abraham had six-sons through Keturah, viz. Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and shuah who became the progenitors of six Arabian tribes of Southern and Eastern Palestine. It was through Keturah’s offspring that Abraham became “the father of many nations”(Gen.25:1-4). Although they are all Abraham’s descendants, they were not counted as Abraham’s children in the line of promise. God’s choice was that through Isaac the offspring will be counted. God’s assurance was that the promise would come through Isaac, not Ishmael nor the sons of Keturah. Abraham was getting old and so his wife Sarah too, he was very impatient to see God’s supernatural intervention. So he decides to bring about God’s promised son without supernatural intervention. However the result is not the child of promise but a child of the flesh. Abraham wanted the work of his own flesh to be the fulfilment of God’s promise, but God says, “No.”
So it is clear that it is not enough to be just the physical descendant of Abraham, but they must be chosen by God (8:33). “All who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (Jn.1:12). God said: “at the appointed time, I will return and Sarah will have a son” (Gen.18:10). Only Isaac was a child of promise. But God’s selectivity did not stop there. Even all the children of Isaac were not counted among the chosen people.” That’s why Paul again says to Galatians: “Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise” (Gal.4:28). When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, God has already performed supernatural activity in our lives that we too have become the children of promise.
Ex: This is also true with every Pastor who attracts people without right teaching from the Word of God and without the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, then he will be only making a church of Ishmaelites, the children of flesh. These days so many teachings viz. prosperity Gospel meetings, healing meetings, selling healing oils and clothes etc. are all trying to substitute the Word of God. I pray that such people will give up their unscrupulous activities. May God help every Evangelist to be a worker approved unto God.
- The example of Esau and Jacob: (9:11-13):
This is a perfect example of God’s Sovereign selection. Both Esau and Jacob were born to same father Isaac and mother Rebecca, yet God gave His selection before they were born. God displayed beautifully the principle of His sovereignty in the very second generation of Jewish ancestry. The selection is not because of anything to do with good or bad works, but of His Sovereign choice. God loved Jacob and hated Esau (Mal.1:2-3). Here the word ‘hated’ is not the real hatred, but it is the lower order of love. We must understand that our deeds or good works would not merit us for God’s favour. The Lord said to Rebecca: “Two nations are in your womb, and two people from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger” (Gen.25:23). Esau did not serve Jacob, but Esau’s descendants, the Edomites served Israel. God did not base His selection on physical appearance, or their conduct or character but His sovereign choice and pre-destination are beyond our understanding. Even though Israel has rejected God, it does not nullify the sovereign choice and purpose of God. God is faithful in spite of our unfaithfulness.
- The example of Israel and Pharaoh: (9:14-21):
Paul again asks the question, “is God unjust?” God forbid, it is unthinkable that the Holy God cannot be unjust or unrighteousness. God chose Israel and condemned Egypt because this was His sovereign purpose. Nobody can condemn God for the way He extends His mercy, because God is righteous. God is holy and must punish sin, but at the same time, God is loving and compassionate. He desires to save sinners. If everybody is saved, it would deny His holiness, but if everybody is lost, it would deny His love. The solution to the problem is God’s sovereign election.