- The example from Isaiah: (9:27-29):
- Only a remnant from Israel will be saved: (9:27-28): The apostle again takes the quote from Isaiah “though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea only the remnant will be saved” (Isa.10:22), God in His sovereign selection would preserve a remnant although there is God’s judgement on rebellious Israel. This promise was fulfilled already two times in the captivity and exile of both for Israel and Judah and also in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D.70 under Nero Empire. This will again be fulfilled in the end time of the apocalyptical period when the whole world rise up against Israelites. Even today also it is true that Jews accept Christ and become the members of the body of Christ will be preserved and all those who reject Christ will be destroyed. Apostle Paul includes himself and says they are the remnant chosen by Grace (11:5). This remnant together with the Gentiles who have accepted Christ will be saved from the holocaust.
By saving some, God is fulfilling the OT prophecies. The OT prophecies show that God’s election has made possible the salvation for the Gentiles. This is the Grace that God has bestowed upon us. At the Exodus, God selected the Jews over Gentiles so that through Jews, Jesus Christ could into the world for the salvation of Gentile. The nation of Israel has rejected Christ, but this did not defeat God’s sovereign selection, because God preserved a remnant of Jews who believed Christ. Further it had proved God’s character and His purpose.
- Even the remnant could perish apart from the grace of God: (9:29) (Isa.1:9): Isaiah had prophesied this in (Isa.1:9). If the God almighty had not preserved us, the Israel nation would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah, completely destroyed with no survivors left. If God had left Israel to itself, there would have been only desolation. God has been gracious to the Jews, that remnant has always been found in every era. Paul saw this happening in every city wherever he preached, hundreds and thousands of people were turning to the Lord. In the midst of Jewish opposition, there were many churches established with Jews and Gentiles together. The Muslims and the Arab countries had tried to wipe off the Israel from the world map, yet the Lord Almighty has preserved them.
The conclusion of God’s sovereign selection: (9:30-33):
- Through faith Gentiles have received righteousness without seeking: (9:30): The apostle comes again with a question, what shall we say? Paul after making the third missionary journey, sees that there is increasing rejection of the Gospel by Jews. The churches he founded were having Jews, Gentiles and slaves. It is a paradox, the Jews who sought righteousness, did not find it because they trying with the Mosaic Law. But the Gentiles did not seek righteousness, but they received it because of their faith. The Jews thought that the Gentiles had to come up to Israel’s level to be saved, but when actually the Jews had to go down to the level of the Gentiles to be saved. “For there is no difference: for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom.3:22-23). Paul says: God’s grace is that: Israel’s rejection means the Gentiles salvation!
- Through the law Israel could not receive righteousness even after seeking: (9:31-33): The Jews were trying to obtain a righteousness with their own efforts, by following customs, rites, celebrations etc. They were pursuing a law of righteousness which is nothing but a Mosaic Law. To attain righteousness by observing the Law requires that it be kept perfectly (Jam.2:10). But they could not attain it because they pursued it not by faith but by works. They did not admit their inability to keep the Law perfectly and turn by faith to God for forgiveness. Instead they were all the time trying to keep the Law by their own efforts. This is where they stumbled over the stumbling stone. They stumbled before the Lord Jesus Christ, because the Lord Jesus did not conform to their expectations. the Jews had a good goal but they focussed on their advantages, they focussed on the law that made them to reject Christ because Christ did not meet their expectation. Again Paul reiterates the prophecy of Isaiah: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.” (Isa.28:16). People would stumble and the Rock will make them fall, yet the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame. All those who believe in Him will be saved, a remnant will be saved.
Ex: This is very much relevant at present also. We are like Jews trying to live by our own efforts. We are trying to get right with God by attending church, working in the church, conducting church activities. We may have been born into a Christian family. All these will not make us right with God. We are like Nicodemus who came to the Lord at night with lot of doubts about salvation. Jesus answered: unless we are born again we cannot enter into the kingdom of God. We will not be saved. All our effort to be a good Christian is vain.
A few questions to answer before we move to next chapter:
- In the light of God’s sovereign choice, are you willing to sacrifice your time, energy, talents, money to bring our folk to the Lord? (9:1-3)
- What can we understand by God’s righteousness in this world? (9:14-18)
- In the light of prophecies of Isaiah and Hosea, how do you experience God’s justice in your life? (9:19-29)
- Can I experience God’s grace by doing good deeds and spiritual-rituals just as Israelites? (9:30-33)