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Romans 9:1-5 Commentary

Romans 9:1  I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, (NASB: Lockman) Greek: Aletheian lego (1SPAI) en Christo, ou pseudomai, (1SPMI) summarturouses (PAPFSG) moi tes suneideseos mou en pneumati hagio Amplified: I AM speaking the truth in Christ. I am not lying; my conscience [enlightened and prompted] by the Holy Spirit bearing witness with me (Amplified Bible - Lockman) ESV: I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit-- (ESV) ICB: I am in Christ, and I am telling you the truth. I do not lie. My feelings are ruled by the Holy Spirit, and they tell me that I am not lying. (ICB: Nelson) NKJV: I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, NIV: I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit-- (NIV - IBS) NLT: In the presence of Christ, I speak with utter truthfulness--I do not lie--and my conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm that what I am saying is true. (NLT - Tyndale House) Philips: Before Christ and my own conscience I assure you that I am speaking the plain truth when I say that there is something that makes me feel very depressed, like a pain that never leaves me.  (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: Truth I speak in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience bearing joint-testimony with me in the Holy Spirit  (Eerdmans)  Young's Literal: Truth I say in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing testimony with me in the Holy Spirit, REFERENCES Albert Barnes Wayne Barber Wayne Barber Wayne Barber Wayne Barber Wayne Barber Wayne Barber John Calvin Alan Carr Alan Carr B H Carroll Rich Cathers Thomas Constable Bob Deffinbaugh Bob Deffinbaugh Bob Deffinbaugh Jonathan Edwards Explore the Bible Explore the Bible Tony Garland Frederic Godet Bruce Goettsche Bruce Goettsche Bruce Goettsche Scott Grant Scott Grant David Guzik Robert Haldane Richard Halverson Matthew Henry Daniel Hill Charles Hodge F B Hole Jamieson, F, B S Lewis Johnson William Kelly Keith Krell Keith Krell John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur Middletown Robert Morgan H C G Moule William Newell John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper Ray Pritchard A T Robertson Rob Salvato Ray Stedman Ray Stedman Marvin Vincent Drew Worthen Drew Worthen Drew Worthen Drew Worthen Precept Ministries Romans 9 Commentary Romans 9:1-3: The Attributes of God Romans 9:1-5: Israel: A Privileged People Romans 9:6-13: Israel: A Proud People Romans 9:14-19: God is a God of Purpose Romans 9:19-24: God is God of Purpose-Pt2 Romans 9:30-10:5:Righteousness Precious Possession Romans 9 Commentary Romans 9:1-5 Burdened For A Lost People Romans 9:6-33 Bound By The Lord's Purposes Romans: Studies (1935) Romans Sermons Romans Expository Notes Romans 9:1-13 Man Opposes; God Disposes Romans 9:14-23 Divine Election is Questioned Romans 9:24-33 Israel’s Failure Is the Scripture’s Fulfillment Romans 9:18: The Sovereignty of God in Salvation Romans 9:1-29 Need for Mercy Romans 9:30-10:21 Call to Faith Romans 9-11 What Will Happen to Israel- Recommended Romans Commentary online Romans 9:1-9 True and False Believers Romans 9:7-21 God's Choice and Salvation Romans 9:22-33 God's Patience and Mercy Romans 9:1-29 The Stage for Christ Romans 9:30-10:21 has God Proved Himself? Romans 9 Commentary Romans 9 Commentary Romans Commentary: Prologue to Prison (1954) Romans 9 Commentary Romans Notes - Verse by Verse Romans Commentary online Romans Commentary Romans 9 Commentary Romans 9:1-5, Romans 9:6-13, Romans 9:14-33 Romans Commentary Romans 9:1-13 The Roller Coaster Ride Romans 9:14-29 The Great Brain Teaser Romans 9-11 Is God Finished With Israel, Part 1 Romans 9-11 Is God Finished With Israel, Part 2 Romans 9:1-4 The Sorrowful Unbelief of Israel, Part 1 Romans 9:4-5 The Sorrowful Unbelief of Israel, Part 2 Romans 9:6-13 Is Israel's Unbelief Inconsistent with God's Plan? 1 Romans 9:14-18 Is Israel's Unbelief Inconsistent with God's Plan? 2 Romans 9:19-24 Is Israel's Unbelief Inconsistent with God's Plan? 3 Romans 9:25-33 Is Israel's Unbelief Inconsistent with God's Plan? 4 Romans 9 Romans 9, 10 & 11 What's Ahead for Israel? The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans Romans 9 Commentary Romans 9:1-5  The Absolute Sovereignty of God: What Is Romans Nine About Romans 9:1-5 My Anguish: My Kinsmen Are Accursed Romans 9:1-5 How Great Is the Honor of Israel Romans 9:6-12  God's Word Stands: Not All Israel is Israel, Part 1 Romans 9:6-12 God's Word Stands: Not All Israel Is Israel, Part 2 Romans 9:6-13 Unconditional Election and the Invincible Purpose of God Romans 9:8-17 The Hardening of Pharaoh and the Hope of the World Romans 9:14-18 The Freedom and Justice of God in Unconditional Election Romans 9:14-18 The Fame of His Name and the Freedom of Mercy Romans 9:19-23 How God Makes Known the Riches of His Glory Romans 9:17 A Passion for the Supremacy of Christ--Where He Is Not Named Romans 9:23,24 God's Ultimate Purpose: Vessels of Mercy Romans 9:24-29 The Gentiles Are Included Romans 9:30-33 The Gentiles Have Obtained Righteousness by Faith Romans 9:30-10:10 Believe in Your Heart that God Raised Jesus Romans 9:1-5 The Value of a Broken Heart Romans 9 Word Pictures in the New Testament Romans 9:1-33 Jacob I Have Loved Romans 9:1-29: Who Chose Whom? Romans 9:14-33  Let God Be God Romans 9 Greek Word Studies Romans 9:1-8 For They Are Not All Israel, Who Are Descended From Israel Romans 9:9-13 Jacob I Loved, But Esau I Hated Romans 9:14-23 What Then Shall We Say? Is God Unjust? Not At All! Romans 9:24-33 I Will Call Them My People, Who Were Not My People Romans 9-11 - Part 3 Download Lesson 1

ROMANS ROAD to RIGHTEOUSNESS Romans 1:18-3:20 Romans 3:21-5:21 Romans 6:1-8:39 Romans 9:1-11:36 Romans 12:1-16:27 SIN SALVATION SANCTIFICATION SOVEREIGNTY SERVICE NEED FOR SALVATION WAY OF SALVATION LIFE OF SALVATION SCOPE OF SALVATION WORK OF SALVATION   Summary of Romans 9-11 Romans 9 Romans 10 Romans 11 Past Election Present Rejection Future Reception God's Sovereignty Israel's Election by God Man's responsibility Israel's Rejection of God God's Ways Higher God Not Rejecting Israel Related resources... Summary on the Attributes of God Spurgeon on the Attributes of God Israel of God - Is God "Finished" with Israel in His prophetic plan? Off Site - Table Comparing/contrasting Israel & Church Off Site - Does the Church Fulfill Israel's Program? - John Walvoord The Jewish People, Jesus Christ and World History - S Lewis Johnson Are you confused about God's plan for Israel? Then I highly recommend Tony Garland's 12 Hour Course on Romans 9-11 in which he addresses in depth the question of  What Will Happen to Israel?  (click) or see the individual lectures below) Romans 9:1-5 Paul's Sorrow Concerning Israel Romans 9:6-13 Children of the Promise Romans 9:14-24 The Potter and the Clay Romans 9:25-33 A Remnant Will be Saved Romans 10:1-13 The Righteousness of God Romans 10:14-21 Has Israel Not Heard? Romans 11:1-6  God Has Not Cast Away The Jews Romans 11:7-15 Life from the Dead Romans 11:16-24 Two Olive Trees Romans 11:25-36 The Salvation of Israel Note that when you click the preceding links, each link will in turn give you several choices including an Mp3 message and brief transcript notes. The Mp3's are long (avg 70+ min) but are in depth and thoroughly Scriptural with many quotations from the Old Testament, which is often much less well understood than the NT by many in the church today. Tony Garland takes a literal approach to Scripture, and his love for the Jews and passion to see them saved comes through very clearly in these 12 hours of teaching! Take your home Bible Study group through this series if you dare! Take notes on the tapes as the transcripts are a very abbreviated version of the audio messages. This course is highly recommended for all who love Israel! I think you will agree that Tony Garland, despite coming to faith after age 30 as an engineer, clearly has been given a special anointing by God to proclaim the truth concerning Israel and God's glorious future plan for the Jews. Garland has also produced more than 20 hours of superb audio teaching in his verse by verse commentary on the Revelation (in depth transcripts also available) which will unravel (in a way you did not think was possible considering the plethora of divergent interpretations) God's final message of the triumph and return of the our Lord Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords! Maranatha! I AM TELLING THE TRUTH IN CHRIST: Aletheian lego (1SPAI) en Christo: (Ro 1:9; 2Corinthians 1:23; 11:31; 12:19; Galatians 1:20; Philippians 1:8; 1Thessalonians 2:5; 1Timothy 2:7; 5:21) Telling truth...not lying...my conscience - Note Paul's reiteration of his sincerity - this is like a triple oath. Do you think Paul is passionate for his unsaved Jewish brethren?! Observe also that Romans 9 begins with a cry of grief and ends Romans 11 with a eulogy of praise as the truth of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to Israel unfolds. (Ro 11:33, 34, 35, 36-see notes Ro 11:33; 34; 35; 36) As noted in the table above, one can summarize these three chapters with the word "sovereignty". Is is a sad commentary on modern day Christianity that God's sovereignty is not a very popular topic. Ray Stedman for example wrote that When I preached this message (on Romans 9) at the 8:30 service this morning, a man walked out the door cursing God because he treated men this way. Wayne Barber introduces Romans 9-12 emphasizing that... We are going into a very difficult passage of Scripture... Paul... moves from our salvation, which we have in Christ Jesus, to... Israel. And immediately there is a change here in his message. I feel like it would be very important for us at this point to look at the Attributes of God. If we don’t understand God, the character of God, then it is going to be very difficult to grasp how He is going to do what Paul says in chapters 9, 10 and 11. From 8:35 through 9:5 there is a mood swing. You go from the pinnacle of joy and ecstasy when it comes to your salvation into the very depths of despair of 9:1-5....It is incredible the mood swing that Paul goes through. Now why? Because you see, Paul is a Jew, a converted Jew. But as a converted Jew, he now understands what the Old Testament was teaching all along. He understands that the only way his Jewish brethren, the people whom he loves with all of his heart, can ever be justified is by faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone. And he is beginning to deal now with his people. And when he thinks of Israel, knowing that Israel has rejected Jesus as their Messiah, knowing the fact that they were His special people in the Old Testament, knowing all of these things, his heart turns from joy to sorrow as he realizes they are blinded. They cannot realize that Jesus is the Messiah, the one they have been looking for. (The Attributes of God) Anticipating the doctrine of election in this chapter Martin Luther wrote... Who hath not known passion, cross, and travail of death, cannot treat of foreknowledge (election of grace) without injury and inward enmity toward God. Wherefore take heed that thou drink not wine while thou art yet a sucking child. Each doctrine hath its own reason and measure and age. James Denney (The Expositor’s Greek Testament) describing Paul’s opening words writes that... This solemn asseveration (a positive, earnest affirmation) is meant to clear him of the suspicion that in preaching to the Gentiles he is animated by hostility or even indifference to the Jews. Paul is going to explain why the Jews as a nation have not embraced the Gospel and salvation by grace through faith Christ. Paul shows the relationship of the Jews to the gospel in 2 major ways: First in (Ro 9:1-10:21) he explains that the word of God has not failed. The gospel has not failed but the Jew has failed. Second (Ro 11:1-32) he explains that God has not rejected Israel but that there is (and always has been) a remnant even as he writes his letter. Israel's' rejection is the Gentile's salvation. "All Israel" (all that place their faith in Christ) will be saved because the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. So in these three great chapters from Romans Paul explains that not only does God's Word not fail, but God's Promises do not fail. The sad fact is that regardless of the Jew's claim to be "chosen" by God (His "elect") many are not of the elect as used in the NT sense. Paul goes on to teach that God's elective purposes include the Gentiles and that God's sovereignty does not obligate Him to anyone. Paul explains that God has established that righteousness is by faith alone and that He has the sovereign right to do this. And so Paul explains that the Jew cannot disagree with God's sovereign choosing of Isaac and Jacob. He then show explains that they cannot disagree with the election of Jew and Gentile. In this section Paul explains the truths that although God sovereignly chooses, man is still responsible. Finally, Paul emphasizes that God's purpose for Israel will be fulfilled because His will is never thwarted. I AM NOT LYING MY CONSCIENCE BEARING ME WITNESS IN THE HOLY SPIRIT: ou pseudomai (1SPMI) summarturouses (PAPFSG) moi tes suneideseos mou en pneumati hagio: Not lying - He uses the word that signifies absolute negation. Lie (5574) (pseudomai from pseudo = to cheat, defraud, falsify, cp study of pseudos) means to utter an untruth, attempt to deceive by falsehood or to speak deceitfully. The Greek more literally reads, “my conscience bearing joint-testimony with me” and this is done “within the sphere of the Holy Spirit” or in the control of the Holy Spirit. The New Century Version translates it as My conscience is ruled by the Holy Spirit, and it tells me that I am not lying. Conscience: (4893) (suneidesis [word study] from sun = with + eido = know)  (Click for in depth word study of suneidesis) (Click for more notes on on this website on "conscience") literally means a "knowing with", a co-knowledge with oneself or a being of one's own witness in the sense that one's own conscience "takes the stand" as the chief witness, testifying either to one's innocence or guilt. It describes the witness borne to one's conduct by that faculty by which we apprehend the will of God. Webster defines "conscience" as the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one’s own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good. The Greek noun Suneidesis is the exact counterpart of the Latin con-science, “a knowing with,” a shared or joint knowledge. It is our awareness of ourselves in all the relationships of life, especially ethical relationships. We have ideas of right and wrong; and when we perceive their truth and claims on us, and will not obey, our souls are at war with themselves and with the law of God Suneidesis is that process of thought which distinguishes what it considers morally good or bad, commending the good, condemning the bad, and so prompting to do the former and avoid the latter. Suneidesis - 30x in 29v - Acts 23:1; 24:16; Ro 2:15; 9:1; 13:5; 1 Cor 8:7, 10, 12; 10:25, 27ff; 2 Cor 1:12; 4:2; 5:11; 1 Tim 1:5, 19; 3:9; 4:2; 2Ti 1:3; Titus 1:15; Heb 9:9, 14; 10:2, 22; 13:18; 1 Pet 2:19; 3:16, 21 This is no phony protest on Paul's part, like some people who say, "I'm only telling you this because I love you," and then proceed to cut us to pieces. "No," Paul says, "my conscience supports me in this, and the Holy Spirit himself confirms that my anguish is genuine and real. It is deep and lasting." What a lesson this is on how to approach someone you want to help, someone who isn't very eager to receive what you have to say. You never come on -- Paul never does -- with accusations, or with bitter words, or denunciations, or even with the issues that separate you. Paul first identifies with their deep hurt; he feels with them. This is like the story of the two preachers... "I hear you dismissed your pastor. What was wrong?" The friend said, "Well, he kept telling us we were going to hell." The man said, "What does the new pastor say?" The friend said, "The new pastor keeps saying we're going to hell too." "So what's the difference?" "Well," the friend said, "the difference is that when the first one said it, he sounded like he was glad of it, but when the new man says it, he sounds like it is breaking his heart." Charles Spurgeon when asked how he reconciled divine sovereignty and human responsibility regarding the mystery of election, replied... I never try to reconcile friends. In Romans 9-11, Paul's discussion of Israel is not an interruption but an illustration of his theme. He explains Israel's history in these chapters as outlined in the following table...   Summary of Romans 9-11 Romans 9 Romans 10 Romans 11 Past Election Present Rejection Future Restoration God's Sovereignty Israel's Election by God Man's responsibility Israel's Rejection of God God's Ways Higher God Not Rejecting Israel In Romans 9-11 Paul proves that God has been righteous in all His dealings with Israel and has not failed to work out His divine promise to or purpose for the Jews and that likewise He will not fail to work out His purposes for the church. As you observe and meditate on these weighty passages in Romans 9-11 keep the following considerations in mind... Remember that one doctrine never "outweighs" another doctrine. Just because the Scripture speaks more about the responsibility of man than it does about predestination does not mean you can ignore the latter as "unimportant". There is perfect harmony between all the doctrines of God and to reiterate you do not need to "reconcile friends." It is as if both doctrines are on either side of a plumbline that perfectly separates the two teachings. When men begin to move that "plumbline" toward one doctrine or the other, inevitably and unavoidably, distortion will occur. Stated in another way, remember that using our finite intelligence, we can carry the doctrines to what seems to us to be a logical conclusion, but is one that God never intended. When God drops the plumb line beloved, let it hang. Some would say that if God chooses some for salvation then logically He chooses others to go to eternal damnation. You have just moved the plumb line! Remember that there are only four Scriptures that specifically address predestination of man, Romans 8:29, 30 (see notes) which speaks of becoming conformed to the image of His Son, Ephesians 1:5 (see sermon) which deals with our adoption as sons and Ephesians 1:11 (see sermon) which addresses God's purpose for having obtaining an inheritance. And who are these addressing? Unbelievers or believers? Clearly these are addressed to the children of God, those who by grace through faith have been saved, regenerated and born again. How do men distort these passages? They come along and say that if God predestined some men to adoption as His sons, then He must have predestined others to condemnation. Where does the Bible make that declaration? The Bible does not make that assertion. The point is that we can reach erroneous conclusions when we reason that if "A" is true and "B" is true, then it equals "C" and we try to put this together in our finite minds but the conclusion cannot be validated from the Scriptures. The fourth mention of predestination is found in Acts 4:27,28 where God predestined the trial and crucifixion of His only Son, Jesus Christ. In summary, as you observe Romans 9-11, allow God to speak for Himself and do not attempt to take the passage beyond what it says nor attempt to diminish what it says. For example, don't say "Surely God doesn't really mean that." Don't speculate. Be aware that the Bible does not give any clue why God choose and predestined those He did. This is holy ground which we must not profane. As you study these passages, remember what God's Word teaches about God Himself (incomprehensible, transcendent, loving, just, holy, omniscient, etc).  Since God is not like man, man is in no position to judge God's sovereign interactions with man. God is holy and is total and absolute purity. God is just and absolutely fair. Eternally just. Eternally fair. God is righteous. Whatever He does is what is right. God is abounding in love and infinite in mercy. When you feel yourself beginning to question God's ways and integrity, consider taking a "time out" and "washing" your mind with the water of His Word concerning His glorious attributes (see Attributes of God or read Spurgeon on the Attributes of God) or if you prefer run into the strong tower of His matchless Names (Studies on the Names of the LORD), which are in their essence a reflection of His character and His attributes. F B Hole (Plymouth Brethren) summarizes Romans 9... CHAPTER NINE OPENS another section of the Epistle, a very clearly defined one. In Ro 1-8 the apostle had unfolded his Gospel, in which all distinction between Jew and Gentile is seen to be non-existent. He knew however that many might regard his teaching as indicating that he had no love for his nation and no regard for God's pledged word relating to them. Consequently we now have three dispensational chapters in which the mystery of God's ways concerning Israel are explained to us. In Ro 9:1, 2, 3 Paul declares his deep love for his people. His affection for them was akin to that of Moses, who prayed, "Blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book" (Ex.32: 32). Then in Ro 9:4, 5 he recounts the great privileges which had been accorded to them. Last of these, but not least, there sprang out of them the Christ, whose Deity he plainly states. How then came it that Israel was in so sorry a plight? Had the Word of God failed? Not for one moment; and the first great fact brought forward to explain the situation is that of the sovereignty of God. Now Israel were the last people in the world who could afford to quarrel with the divine sovereignty, for again and again it had been exercised in their favour. This point comes very clearly before us up to Ro 9:16. God made a sovereign choice in regard to the sons of both Abraham and Isaac. He chose Isaac and Jacob, and set aside Ishmael and Esau. If any wished to object to God making a choice, they would have to obliterate all distinction between themselves and both Ishmaelites and Edomites. This they would not contemplate for one moment. Well then, God was only continuing to do as He had already done, and hence not all who were of Israel by natural descent were the true Israel of God. Moreover when Israel made the golden calf in the wilderness they would have been blotted out in judgment had the law had its way. Instead God fell back upon His sovereign mercy, according to words from Exodus 33: 19, quoted here in Ro 9:15. Thus is a third case of God exercising His sovereignty in their favour, even as Ro 9:17 supplies us with an example of God exercising His sovereignty against Pharaoh. The plain facts are these: — (1) God has a will. (2) He exercises it as He pleases. (3) No one can successfully resist it. (4) If challenged, the rightness of His will can always be demonstrated when the end is reached. God is like the potter and man is like the clay. How often God's will is challenged! How much reasoning has taken place on the facts stated in our chapter! How slow we are to admit that God has a right to do as He likes, that in fact He is the only one that has the right, inasmuch as He alone is perfect in foreknowledge, wisdom, righteousness and love. Things may often appear inexplicable to us, but then that is because we are imperfect. Ro 9:13 has given rise to difficulty. But that statement is quoted from the book of Malachi; words written long after both men had fully shown what was in them; whereas Ro 9:12 records what was said before their birth. Others have objected to God's words to Pharaoh as quoted in Ro 9:17. The answer to such objections lies in our chapter, Ro 9:21, 22, 23. Men pit themselves against God, hardening their hearts against Him, and in result God makes a signal example of them. He has a right so to do; while others become vessels of mercy, whom beforehand He prepares for glory. Consequently if any object to what God is doing today, in calling out by the Gospel an elect people both from Jews and Gentiles, the answer simply is, that God is only doing again in our days what He has done in the past. Moreover the prophets had anticipated that He would act thus. Both Moses and Isaiah had foretold that only a remnant of Israel should be saved, and that a people formerly not beloved would be called into favour. This is stated in Ro 9:25, 26, 27, 28, 29. The matter is briefly summed up for us in the closing verses, Ro 9:30, 31, 32, 33. Israel stumbled at that stumbling-stone, which was Christ. Further they misused the law, treating it as a ladder by which they might climb into righteousness, instead of a plumb-line by which all their supposed righteousness might be tested. Israel had missed righteousness by law, and Gentiles had reached righteousness by faith. Middletown Bible's introductory comments... Romans 9-11 of Romans form a unit. The subject matter of these three chapters is the nation Israel (see Ro 9:3, 4; 10:1,21; 11:1, 2, 26, 28). These chapters are also somewhat parenthetical. The flow of thought could have gone from Romans 8 right into Romans 12. In the first eight chapters Paul has set forth THE GOSPEL OF GOD, that is, the good news of JUSTIFICATION (Romans 1-5), SANCTIFICATION (Romans 6-8) and GLORIFICATION (Romans 8). In chapter 12 he deals with the practical implications of the gospel (how the truth of the gospel ought to affect our daily living toward God and toward our neighbor). Thus Romans 8 would flow naturally into Romans 12, but instead of doing that Paul gives us a three-chapter parenthesis in which he helps us to understand where the nation Israel fits into the purpose and plan of God. This section begins with GREAT SORROW (Ro 9:1, 2, 3) and it ends with a GREAT DOXOLOGY to God (Ro 11:33, 34, 35, 36). One simple way to think of the three chapters is as follows: Romans 9 deals primarily with Israel’s PAST (as God’s chosen and privileged people). Romans 10 deals primarily with Israel’s PRESENT (as a nation which has refused to submit to God’s gospel). Romans 11 deals primarily with Israel’s FUTURE (a nation which someday will be saved and which will enjoy the fulfillment of the new covenant promises). In order to understand this section we need to try to put ourselves in the shoes of those who lived in the first century and to try to understand the JEWISH PROBLEM. Fact #1--The Israelites are God’s chosen people (Dt 7:6, 7, 8, 9; Ro 11:28). Fact #2--God promised His chosen people that they would enjoy a glorious kingdom under their Messiah (Da 7:13, 14; Isaiah 2:1, 2, 3,4, 5; 9:6, 7; 11:1-9; Jer 23:5, 6, 7, 8; 31:31-37; 33:14, 15, 16; Luke 1:32, 33). Fact #3--The nation Israel (at least the great majority in the nation) rejected their Messiah when He came to earth (John 1:11; Matthew 12:22, 23, 24; Matthew 21:33-46; 27:22, 23, 25; John 19:15; Acts 22:22; 1Th.2:14,15). Fact #4--When the church first began it was made up entirely of Jewish believers (Acts 2:1ff, the Day of Pentecost). But gradually this changed. As the years went by more and more Gentiles entered the church and less and less Jews (we see this as we travel through the book of Acts and also as we span the years of church history). Today (and this has been true for most of church history) the church is made up almost entirely of Gentile believers. We thank God for Jews who have believed on Christ as Messiah and as Saviour, but their numbers are few. The nation as a whole is blind though, thankfully, there are a few exceptions (see Ro 11:25). Are you beginning to see the problem? Fact #1 and Fact #2 seem to be contradicted by Fact #3 and y Fact #4. What has happened to Israel’s glorious kingdom? What has happened to all of the promises which God has given to the Jews? God’s program for the present (the church) involves primarily the Gentiles and not the Jews. Why is this so? Has God cast away His people (Compare Ro 11:1)? Is God all through with the nation Israel? Does the nation have any future in God's program at all? Put yourself in the shoes of a first century Jew. The gospel that Paul preached was either true or false. Jesus Christ, whom Paul preached, was either the true Messiah or He was not. Thus we have two alternatives: (1) The gospel that Paul preached is not true, and hence Jesus Christ is not the true Messiah and we must still await the coming of the true Messiah. If this is so, then the reason the Kingdom has not yet come is because the true Messiah has not yet come. (2) The gospel Paul preached is true and hence Jesus Christ is indeed the true Messiah. If this is so, then why is there no kingdom? Why do the Jewish people continue to suffer in this world? Why aren’t the Old Testament kingdom promises being fulfilled? Has God cast away His people? GOD HAS GIVEN TO US ROMANS 9-11 TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS. These issues are very relevant to our day as well. There are numerous professing Christians today, especially those under the influence of Reformed/Covenant Theology, who deny that the nation Israel has any hope of a future kingdom on earth under their Messiah as predicted in hundreds of Old Testament prophecies. Some teach that the CHURCH has inherited the promises that were made to ISRAEL. Others teach that the kingdom is here and now and that Christ is spiritually reigning in the hearts of His believers. Even though there is a sense in which this is true, it still does not solve the problem of hundreds of specific kingdom promises and predictions which have not yet been fulfilled. Did God really mean what He said about the kingdom and the coming Messiah or not? Romans chapters 9-11 are thus vitally important chapters in rightly understanding the place of Israel in God's program. What is God doing with the nation Israel? The answer is basically twofold: God has a wonderful plan and purpose for the Jew TODAY, but this plan and purpose cannot be realized until the Jewish person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. See Romans 10:9, 10, 11, 12, 13; 11:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. God has a wonderful plan and purpose for the Jew TOMORROW, but this plan and purpose cannot be realized until the true Messiah of the Jews comes to this earth a second time. See Romans 11:25, 26, 27, 28. Israel’s present unbelief and rejection of the gospel will not keep God from fulfilling any of His kingdom promises to this nation (Ro 11:28). It should be noted that this present church age (which has lasted about 2000 years) was not revealed in the Old Testament. The Old Testament Jew looked ahead into the distant future and saw a mountain peak which was the coming of the Messiah and the great kingdom age. He did not realize that what he was seeing was actually two mountain peaks with a valley in between:   Let’s consider some Old Testament passages which illustrate this: 1) ISAIAH 9:6-7 Isa 9:6 speaks of Messiah’s birth and Isa 9:7 speaks of His kingdom but no hint is given that these two events are separated by hundreds of years. 2) MICAH 5:2 Messiah must be born in Bethlehem and He must be ruler in Israel (Mic 5:2). Only the first of these was fulfilled at His first coming. 3) ISAIAH 61:1, 2 (compare Luke 4:18, 19) The Lord Jesus knew where to stop reading because He knew what part of this passage was fulfilled at His first coming (Isa 61:1,2a) . The day of judgment awaits His second coming (Isa 61:2b). 4) ZECHARIAH 9:9, 10 Which part of this prophecy (Zech 9:9, 10) was fulfilled at the Lord’s first coming? (Compare Mt 21:4, 5.) Which part of this prophecy must await future fulfillment? 5) LUKE 1:31, 32, 33 Luke 1:31, 32, 33 is a New Testament prophecy similar to the Old Testament prophecies given above in that part pertains to His first coming and part must await future fulfillment at His second coming. When the Old Testament Jew read His Bible he could only see one coming of the Messiah. Today we are living in the period between the two comings of Christ during which time He is building HIS CHURCH (Mt. 16:18) and taking out of the nations a people for His Name (Acts 15:14). As we read our Bible today we have the advantage of being better able to see two distinct comings of Christ--one is now history and one is still prophecy (He has come and He will come again)! (Romans 9) (See related topic: Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming)