No Greater Love

Jesus said to His disciples, “No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do” (John 15:13–14 AMP). Jesus was speaking of Himself, and how He would soon give up His life, not only for the disciples, but also for the Jewish nation and the world, the majority of who were largely in rebellion. Paul exhibited the same love for Israel his countryman, not from mere human interest and compassion, but rather by the influence of divine grace working in his heart.

Paul spoke fearlessly to his fellow Jews of their danger of being cut off from God by continual rebellion. He told them clearly that Jesus was the long looked for Messiah who fulfilled the Old Testament Scriptures in every particular. He reasoned with the Jews from the books of Moses, the psalms and the prophets, that Jesus was the Christ, and their hope of salvation. Paul showed that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the types and sacrifices of the Old covenant. Further, it was necessary for the Jewish people to repent and believe the gospel, trusting in the mercy of God and not in their heritage or religious practices. Such teaching was a deep wound to most Jews and they reacted with scorn and persecution toward Paul. Paul was stoned, imprisoned, ridiculed, and spoken evil of, all for the sake of the gospel, and most often at the instigation of his fellow Jews.

A Jew might think Paul had turned his back on his religion, his people and his nation. Yet, Paul had the highest regard for the Jews despite their rebellion against God’s counsel, and rejection of the gospel. Paul’s burden for his people was not an occasional emotional feeling, rather it was a permanent wound upon his heart. He declared, “I have bitter grief and incessant anguish in my heart” (Romans 9:2 AMP). Paul understood what Israel could have been with all their privileges and the favor of God. Yet, Israel through the centuries did not appreciate the gifts of God, and the glorious destiny that was theirs if they would but trust in the Lord. This understanding of Israel’s purpose and calling as well as their present rejection of the gospel added to Paul’s grief.

Paul wrote “for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ! —if that would save them” (Romans 9:3 NLT). Another man who like Paul was chosen by God to be a leader and teacher and His representative, also carried a like burden. Those whom they loved and sought to teach in the way of God often maligned both Paul and Moses. The people of Israel in both the time of Moses and Paul were in such a condition “the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people” (Exodus 32:9). And Stephen speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit of God declared, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Acts 7:51).

When God declared Israel was stiff necked and rebellious they had involved themselves in idolatry, at that time God said to Moses, “Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the Lord his God” (Exodus 32:10–11). Israel was guilty and Moses in effect was offered by God a great opportunity. Moses passed it by however and pleaded for Israel. In fact, this is exactly what God was looking for. When God said, let me alone that I might consume Isreal, who was Moses or any man to stop God? Here Moses saw the opportunity to plead for Israel. “Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written” (Exodus 32:31–32).

“Now the man Moses was very meek (gentle, kind, and humble) … above all the men on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3 AMP). God said of Paul, “he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:15–16 NKJV). It should be apparent however that no man, not even Moses or Paul “can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him” (Psalm 49:7). This is true of all who are now living, or who are supposedly saints in heaven and believed to be intercessors for the people. Not even Mary is capable of securing salvation for anyone.

Though Paul and Moses showed the heart of God in their concern for a rebellious people, only Jesus was able and worthy to redeem mankind. Therefore we read, “Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, [The land of Israel in rebellion] they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God” (Ezekiel 14:14).

The Jews Privileges

Paul looked on Israel with the heart of God, and this despite the ill treatment he received from many of his countryman. It was because of Israel’s privileges that were neglected and abused, that Paul carried such a burden upon his heart. Israel was the name given to Jacob, after his night of wrestling with the angel of the Lord. As the angel sought to leave, Jacob asked for a blessing and the angel said, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Genesis 32:28). The blessing was not merely in the change of name. Jacob meant supplanter, and this he did when he lied to his father and cheated his brother out of the blessing due to the elder son. Therefore, the change of Jacob’s name implies also a change of heart. The name Israel was also a title of honor, “because it made reference to the promises of salvation through the Messiah, which were given to Jacob in preference to Esau, and to be fulfilled to his posterity.”¹

Israel as a nation and people were adopted by God not for their goodness but because of the promises made to Abraham. Israel as a nation degraded by slavery in Egypt had lost sight of the true God in many respects. Further, when brought into the land promised to Abraham they could not say, “‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land’; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out from before you” (Deuteronomy 9:4 NKJV).

God adopted Israel for a purpose, He said, “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6). Jehovah favored Israel that they might represent Him and be a blessing to the nations to the praise and honor of God.

The glory of God was manifested among the Israelites in an unprecedented and public manner and not since repeated to any people. The plagues that fell upon Egypt at the direction of God and the crossing of the Red Sea on dry ground are but a few of the many divine manifestations of deliverance. The pillar of fire and cloud that followed Israel in the wilderness, as well as the manna that fell for forty years was a token of the visible presence and care of God.

To Abraham, God made a covenant that he would possess the Promised Land. This promise was fulfilled through Israel his ancestors. God also renewed the covenant or agreement, with Israel saying, “I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people” (Leviticus 26:12). The covenant or agreement between Israel and God was based on obedience to His will and commands. Thus, God made known in detail how Israel was to conduct their personal and national affairs, their worship and the services of the temple.

Of the law, moral, personal, national and religious, which were given to Israel it was said, “Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on Him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?” (Deuteronomy 4:6–8 NLT).

To Israel was given the privilege of the knowledge of God and thus serving Him. However, the term the service of God specifically refers to the temple services and ceremonies. In these services, the gospel was given in symbols, showing the holiness of God, that sin brings death, and that only a substitute accepted by faith could take away sin and make one right before God. In this regard Jesus said, “You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about Him, for salvation comes through the Jews” (John 4:22 NLT). Sadly, the service of God was often corrupted by the worship of idols and in later times, the idolatry of human opinion and tradition had obscured the truth.

The promises given to Israel included the land of Canaan, and the blessings of the Messiah and His kingdom. In addition, the fulfillment of the promises often related to keeping the covenant or agreement to be the people of God.

Israel descended from the fathers, the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This heritage however gave them no merit in the sight of God, but did provide examples and lessons of the faithfulness of God to their ancestors. In addition, it was through the fathers that the knowledge of the true God was kept alive and passed down to the nation of Israel.

Without question the greatest privilege of all given to the Jews contemporary with Paul, was that “Christ Himself was an Israelite as far as His human nature is concerned” (Romans 9:5 NLT). “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Jesus was the embodiment of the whole Jewish religious system. In fact it would be fair to say that the cross could be superimposed over the temple services, for they pointed to the true lamb of God. However, Jesus “came unto His own, and His own received Him not” (John 1:11). It was the Jews neglect of their privileges culminating in the rejection of the Messiah that weighed heavily on Paul’s heart.

Christ Over All

Of Christ who was crucified and died but was raised to life Paul writes, “He is over all.” The word over is “figuratively used of things, affairs, persons, which one is set over, over which he exercises power.”² In what way is Christ over all?

• For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. (John 5:22).

• And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)

• This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. (Acts 10:36)

• Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life], and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things and through and by Whom we [ourselves exist]. (1 Corinthians 8:6 AMP.)

• Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 3:8–9)

• The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

• For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him [Jesus] should all fulness dwell. (Colossians 1:16-19)

• Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:12)

• He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth. (Philippians 2:8–10 NKJV)

Of Jesus it is written, “It was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful High Priest in the things related to God, to make atonement and propitiation for the people’s sins” (Hebrews 2:17 AMP). Not only was Jesus a man and a Jew sent “unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24), “He is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen” (Romans 9:5 NLT).

Romans 9:6–13 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

The Calling And Promise

If all that Paul wrote in verses four and five were true of the privileges and blessing granted Israel, yet the majority lived in unbelief, does this mean God’s Word and promises are ineffective and faulty? The answer is no, and why? Not all who were born Israelites and claimed Abraham as their father were true Israelites. In other words to be a Jew involved more than ethnicity, nationality or culture or even religion. Further the covenant made with Abraham was not limited to the Jew for it was by “faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’”) (Romans 4:16–17 NKJV).

Abraham had two sons but only one was born as the result of the promise and power of God. And it was through Isaac that the line of faith was to continue and from whom the Messiah would come. Ishmael, Abraham’s first born would also become a nation, but neither he nor his posterity are recorded as walking in faith serving Jehovah. The lesson learned here is that Ishmael was a child of the flesh, born as the result of a union of unbelief and doubt of God’s word. And those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Isaac on the other hand was born by the promise of God, and represented the life of faith. The destiny of Abraham’s two sons was not predetermined, that is not the issue here, rather Abraham’s two sons show that merely being a descendent of Abraham counts for nothing. The Israel of God are those who live by the promises of God, walking in faith and love and serving Him.

Paul refers in Romans 9:9 to God’s promise in Genesis there the Lord said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” (Genesis 18:10 NLT). This manner of Isaac’s conception and birth is in marked contrast to the effort of the flesh that brought forth Ishmael. “Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai” (Genesis 16:1–2). It should be understood when the decision was made to have a son through Sarai’s maid, God had already promised Abraham a son, though the promise was long delayed. Abraham and his wife sought to help bring about God’s promise of a son, however, this arrangement was not according to God’s plan.

When Abraham was 99 years old and Ishmael was about 13, God appeared to Abraham and repeated to him the promises and blessings of the covenant and that circumscion was to be a sign of this covenant. Jehovah said, “I will bless her, [Abraham’s wife Sarah] and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before Thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him” (Genesis 17:16–19).

God had no predetermined bias against Ishmael, for God would save him and his posterity if they walked by faith serving Him. However, he was not a son of promise. There were lessons of faith and hints of the promised seed of the Messiah to come, through a son of promise conceived by divine intervention to a woman beyond the age of bearing children.

Abraham and his whole household including Ishmael were circumcised according to the instructions of the Lord. However, this act did not make Ishmael a child of promise. God’s rejection of Ishmael as the promised child does not indicate God foreordained Ishmael to be cut off from salvation or His blessings. God told Abraham “And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation” (Genesis 17:20).

From Ishmael came forth the Arab nations, no doubt some individuals served the true God, but the greater part fell into idolatry. Remnants of this ancient idolatry still exist in some of the practices of modern Islam. Allah for instance is not another name for the true God, but was the name of the chief god of the ancient Arab pagans. At the Kabah in Mecca, religious celebrations and worship, honoring Allah and a plurality of gods took place. Some of the rituals practiced presently in Mecca during the haj where there before Mohammed. Further, the people of the Middle Eastern nations springing from Ishmael are largely given over to a religion of works rather than righteousness by faith. Therefore, the descendents of Ishmael and followers of Islam, cannot be representatives and true spiritual descendents of Abraham.

The fact that Muslims today turn to the worship of the true God, trusting in Christ for salvation, and Isaac’s descendents the Jews, still often walk in unbelief separated from God and not recognizing the Messiah, shows that God is no respecter of persons. He has not chosen Isaac’s posterity to the exclusion of others, neither does He ordain some to be saved and others lost.

Paul continues His argument showing how the seed of Abraham were privileged in being called of God. Rebekah the wife of Isaac was barren, seemingly unable to bear children. Isaac prayed to the Lord that they might have children, and God heard his plea. Rebekah conceived twins and before they were born, there was a struggle in her womb between the two unborn children. Concerned for her own safety and that of the unborn children and realizing this pregnancy was in answer to prayer, she inquired of the Lord over the matter. God said to her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son” (Genesis 25:23 NLT).

We see in later years and in the descendents of Esau and Jacob two nations developing. Esau married women of Canna contrary to his parent’s wishes, and he did not appreciate the spiritual blessings in being born into the household of faith and to parents who served the true God. The nation of Edom later developed from Esau. The rivalry of the children continued between the two nations. The Edomites refused the Israelites passage through their country when the latter came out of Egypt. Both Saul and David conducted warfare against the Edomites. Despite this, God said of the Edomites, “Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land. The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the Lord in their third generation” (Deuteronomy 23:7–8). Jacob was a son of promise that was to continue the true faith, and knowledge of Jehovah and through which the Jews would come and through whom the promised seed of the Messiah would also come. However, the descendents of Esau were not foreordained to be cut off from the Lord, accept by their own unbelief.

Physically speaking, Esau never served his younger brother; in fact, Jacob left his parents because of his mother’s fear of what Esau might do to Jacob. This concern was over Jacob’s stealing of the elder brothers birthright and blessing. When returning to the promised land after twenty years, Jacob still feared the harm his brother might bring to him and his family. He therefore sent a party in advance to Esau with gifts, this was a token of respect and honor. Jacob also appealed to the Lord for help and protection from his brother.

The prophecy concerning the two sons given to Rebekah concerned less the two children, but rather the two nations that were to come from Jacob and Esau. One was to be greater than the other, and one hated, or less honored and one loved and favored. Edom the decedents of Esau went into apostasy turning away from God, of Edom no good is recorded in the sacred history of Scripture. From Jacob came the nation of Israel the one God chose to be His representatives and witnesses in the earth. Yet, we see in most of Jacob’s children and immediate descendents up until the time Paul wrote, a people largely walking in unbelief and away from God. This shows clearly the Jews were not foreordained as a people or race to be saved.

Paul quotes Malachi in reference to Jacob and Esau, “This is the message that the Lord gave to Israel through the prophet Malachi. ‘I have always loved you,’ says the Lord. But you retort, ‘Really? How have you loved us?’ And the Lord replies, ‘This is how I showed My love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob.’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? says the Lord; yet I loved Jacob (Israel). But [in comparison with the degree of love I have for Jacob] I have hated Esau [Edom] and have laid waste his mountains, and his heritage I have given to the jackals of the wilderness’” (Malachi 1:1-2 NLT, verse 3 AMP). Privilege and promise, covenants and blessings were given to Israel as a nation and it is in this way God loved Jacob and His descendents more then Esau and Edom. God continues to speak to Israel through Malachi and says of Edom, “They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, and the people against whom the Lord will have indignation forever” (Malachi 1:4 NKJV).

Paul is not arguing here in Romans 9 the doctrine of predestination in the sense God foreordains individuals and even nations to be blessed and saved and consigning others to damnation. Faith or a lack thereof and whether and individual is of a godly or ungodly character, determines our eternal destiny. With Esau and his descendents, they were predominantly faithless and unbelieving, living and acting against the Lord, and they experienced the results of their sin and separation from God. Even Israel, chosen and blessed of God, were not so privileged that the results of their sin and rebellion had no effect upon them. On the contrary, war, plague, drought and numerous judgments came upon Israel as surely as it did upon the unbelieving and wicked nations around them. Paul in referring to Malachi was speaking to the heart of the unbelieving Jews seeking to show them the great advantages that were theirs. Hundreds of years of apostasy and occasional seasons of revival and turning to the Lord showed God’s great mercy, but it also showed God exercises no favoritism and that sin and rebellion will meet its sure reward regardless by whom it is engaged in.

Romans 9:14–18 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

The Sovereignty Of God

Is God unfair in granting special privileges to Abraham’s seed, though in many respects they were no better than others? Is God unrighteous in allowing curses and troubles to come upon Israel to whom He promised so many great blessings? Is God unrighteous in offering the gospel to the Gentiles and bypassing the Jewish nation when they rejected the Messiah? The answer to all of these questions is no. Ultimately whatever God does is right, for He is not arbitrary, but principled and righteous in all that He does. In relation to mankind we read, “I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). “The Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work” (1 Peter 1:17).

God spoke to Moses shortly after the apostasy at mount Sinai when the people worshiped the golden calf, an act that should have cut the Jewish people off from God’s favor. However God said to Moses; “I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy” (Exodus 33:19). Does this indicate God has predestined some nations to be lost, and Israel saved regardless of what they did? That doctrine is not the argument Paul is here setting forth. The understanding we need to gain is that God is not obligated to the beings He has created; He can be merciful to the sinful and rebellious as seen repeatedly in the Old Testament with the nation of Israel. Alternatively, God can bring judgments to individuals or nations who walk in rebellion and hardness of heart, though seemingly no worse so than others whose life’s He extends. Paul is also showing the great privileges of the Jewish people, not because of their goodness, but rather by virtue of God’s goodness. Paul is also seeking to show that God was right in setting Israel aside for privileges abused and turning His mercy to the Gentiles through the calling of the gospel. This was despite the Jews belief that the Gentiles were considered to separated from God’s mercy and unworthy of His care.

“So then [God’s gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God’s mercy. [It depends not on one’s own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God’s having mercy on him]” (Romans 9:16 AMP). For example, God said to Abraham, “I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it” (Genesis 15:7). God called Abraham, not that Abraham chose God. Abraham seeing he was childless entered into a relationship with Hagar, and it was his desire that Ishmael would be the promised seed, but God said no. God determined He would provide a son to an aged couple who naturally speaking were to old to be parents. Esau by virtue of being the first-born desired the blessing, but God said this blessing would be Jacob’s. It was not Moses intervention in behalf of rebellious Israel that stayed the judgments of God but rather it was His own mercy.

In Exodus chapter 8 verses 15, 19, 32, and again in Exodus 9:7 we read how Pharaoh hardened his heart in the face of God’s judgments and the withdrawal in mercy of the plagues. Paul quotes Exodus where God declares to Pharaoh “I will send all My plagues upon your heart and upon your servants and your people, that you may recognize and know that there is none like Me in all the earth. For by now I could have put forth My hand and have struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth” (Exodus 9:14–15 AMP).

God could have secured the release of the children of Israel immediately, and struck down Pharaoh, his household and his people. Being idolaters and worshipers of demons God need not have showed them mercy. However God in kindness chose to send judgments and warnings to Pharaoh. This was done that Pharaoh and his subjects might learn that there is no God but Jehovah, and that the Egyptian deities “were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone” (2 Kings 19:18 NKJV). Not alone for Egypt however were the plagues sent. We read how in the midst of the plagues, God declared to the king, “I have spared you for a purpose—to show you My power and to spread My fame throughout the earth” (Exodus 9:16 NLT). The nature of the sinful heart in every age is that light, truth, and mercy rejected or neglected brings a corresponding darkness of soul and understanding upon us. Thus, the king of Egypt over an over again was said to have hardened his heart. This same process has taking place in the heart and mind of individuals both past and presently.

Other verses say God hardened the heart of Pharaoh. This simply means, God made no further effort to influence the king to acknowledge Him and let His people go. After a sufficient time and clear proof that the plagues were not a natural occurrence but rather were by the hand of God, the effects of sin and rebellion was allowed to run its course. We see this example with the tribe of Ephraim. By their stubbornness and unwillingness to repent, despite God sending judgments, and warnings from the prophets, it finally left God with no choice but to say; “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone” (Hosea 4:17).

This was the case with Pharaoh and his subjects; God hardened his heart by making no further effort to bring him to repentance. We see in the last hours of Christ how the Spirit of God strove with the people that they might see the course they were taking in condemning the Son of God. However, in the case of Herod, he was left alone with no divine influence striving with his heart and even Jesus had no words for him. Thus, for God to harden a person’s heart means mercy and opportunity has been resisted and at a time best known by God, no further light and opportunities are provided. As we read the Bible record, it appears God extended mercy for much longer with the Jewish nation, than for others.

“The Lord said, ‘I was ready to answer My people’s prayers, but they did not pray. I was ready for them to find Me, but they did not even try. The nation did not pray to Me, even though I was always ready to answer, Here I am; I will help you.’ I have always been ready to welcome My people, who stubbornly do what is wrong and go their own way” (Isaiah 65:1–2 TEV).

Paul therefore concludes, “So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and He chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen” (Romans 9:18 NLT). Paul’s argument thus far is this; God, according to His own purpose and wisdom, and in perfect righteousness, can bestow mercy and blessings upon individuals or nations. For instance the Jews of old, and presently when Paul wrote to the Gentiles. To others such as (the Egyptians in the days of Moses,) He allows individuals and nations to abuse His goodness and forbearance, and therefore they harden themselves in sin. Then a time comes when judgment and difficulties come, seemingly without mercy, but such instances are due to the individual’s or even nation’s hardness of heart, and the subsequent withdrawal of God’s mercy and blessings.

Romans 9:19–24 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Free Will Or Divine Destiny

Paul here asks a question in behalf of his Jewish brethren for the sake of argument just as he did in Romans 3:7. The question here is this, why does God condemn the hardness of heart in people or nations if they are simply doing what He makes them do. God leaves all free to choose their eternal destiny and whom they shall serve, the true and living God or the gods of the nations, the lords many and gods many. In Romans 2, we learned how even non-Jews apparently without the privileges and knowledge of God, were actually better than the unbelieving and disobedient Jews were. This was the case in those, who following the law of conscience obeyed the principles of God’s law.

God is ultimately the Creator and sustainer of every person of every nation. He is as the potter and we are but clay. Now the potter can choose to make a vessel of great beauty to be admired, while another vessel coming from the same skillful hand is very plain and is used for very common purposes. Thus, God has a right to choose nations or individuals to do His will and fulfill His purposes. We see this in the calling of Israel; this however does not remove free will. For we see how Israel as a nation very rarely rose to the destiny and purpose for which God called them. Yet, He did not remove His calling or the purpose and blessing intended for this people until the cup of iniquity was full.

We learned in Romans 1 how God’s wrath is most commonly manifested by leaving people to go their own way and suffering the natural consequences of sin and rebellion. This was seen in the wrath that came upon the antediluvian world, and also upon the Jewish people, who in consequence of continual hardness of heart and rebellion rarely experienced the great blessings promised by Jehovah. Rather they experienced curses. For centuries, God’s mercy toward Israel lingered on, even though on many occasions their national rebellion would have been occasion for the justice of God to run its course, and thus ending their existence as a favored people. This long history of mercy made God’s power known, through seasons of revival and turning to the Lord, and in restoration from captivity, occupation and judgments.

Often for the sake of a few who serve Him, both anciently in Israel and presently in the world at large, wrath is withheld or tempered. This is so, that God might make known the great riches of His mercy upon the called, chosen and elect, those who yield to His grace and follow His way. The elect are all those who yield to the influence of grace and the calling of the gospel, not hardening their hearts in sin. The elect includes both Gentiles and Jews, for the Israel of God are all those who have faith in Christ.

Romans 9:25–29 As he saith also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Isaiah also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Isaiah said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

The Salvation Of God Is

To All Who Will

The prophets foresaw the gathering in of the Gentile nations through the gospel to the promises and blessing of God. In addition, even before this time we see in the Old Testament that while God chose Israel as His special people, others who would believe and turn their hearts to God also had the privilege of His blessing and salvation. We see this in the story of Rahab in Jericho, Ruth a Moabite woman, who said to her Jewish mother in-law “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Naaman the Syrian who was cleansed of leprosy afterward declared, “thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord” (2 Kings 5:17). With the dispersion of the Jews into many countries often due to the judgments of war and occupation and the resulting exile, the Gentile world was being prepared for the knowledge of the true God, and acceptance of the gospel.

Abraham’s posterity became a great nation in number, in extent and power under king Solomon. Yet apostasy and unbelief cut short the glory of the nation, such they never fulfilled God’s purpose as He intended. Indeed only a remnant of individuals truly served and followed God, these were accounted the redeemed of the Lord. Once again, this shows that Paul’s argument in this chapter is not predestination of nations or individuals to be saved or lost. Rather God in infinite wisdom and because He is God can choose whom He will to fulfill His purposes, even bearing long with their perversity if need be. For instance, we see this in the story of Gideon, Samson, Jonah and others who though at times were obstinate and disobedient nevertheless were used of God for His purposes.

Verses 28 and 29 speak of the judgments of war, occupation, and exile that came upon Israel first from Assyria and then Babylon that left but a remnant in the land of Israel. Indeed if it was not for the goodness and mercy of God many times Israel would have been overthrown and left desolate even as Sodom and Gomorrah. In fact, God often pleaded with the people through His prophets, hear God speak through Isaiah. “Jerusalem, your rulers and your people are like those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Listen to what the Lord is saying to you” (Isaiah 1:10 TEV). Sadly, Israel often did not listen to God. “Even an ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes its master’s care— but Israel doesn’t know its master. My people don’t recognize My care for them. Oh, what a sinful nation they are—loaded down with a burden of guilt. They are evil people, corrupt children who have rejected the Lord” (Isaiah 1:3–4 NLT).

Indeed, like ancient Israel, the whole world presently exists by the mercy and goodness of God, but a day is coming when God will gather His elect, the remnant and the time of grace and mercy will end. Then “the Lord will execute His sentence upon the earth [He will conclude and close His account with men completely and without delay], rigorously cutting it short in His justice” (Romans 9:28 AMP).

Romans 9:30–33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Stone of Stumbling

Or Rock Of Salvation

Paul’s whole argument in this chapter is summed up in these last verses. The Gentiles did not have the law, the prophets, or a knowledge of God to the extent that the Jews had. Notwithstanding they were brought into the covenants and blessing of being the children of God. In what way was this accomplished? Through the presentation of the gospel and faith activated by the grace of God upon the heart. As the gospel went to the Gentiles, the promise to Abraham that “In thee shall all nations be blessed” (Galatians 3:8), was coming to pass. From Abraham’s posterity the Messiah had come, bringing light and salvation to all who would believe. “Therefore … they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel” (Galatians 3:7; Ephesians 3:6).

Abraham’s children included all who believed in Christ by faith so that the Israel of God now included Jew and Gentile. Now what of Israel, the nation chosen of God and called out of bondage from Egypt, a nation granted a view of the power and glory of God and built upon His commands, statues and judgments. What of Israel, who was given the law, and the counsel of God in the writings of the Old Testament and the prophets? Israel pursued a religion that was not from God, rather they were often deceived by idolatry. However, after the Babylonian captivity the nation as a whole was no longer serving idols of wood and stone. Now the idolatry of human ideas and man made religion came in to spoil the faith and religion of Israel.

The law given by God through Moses with the addition of man made and priestly additions increased over the generations and became the focus of the Jewish religion, rather than the faith of Abraham of simple trust and belief in God. At the time Jesus was ministering and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, He had to tell the people, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor Me [Jehovah] with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God’” (Mark 7:6–7 NLT). Israel’s religion was for the most part not according to the covenant given to Abraham, of grace and faith. Rather they went about to establish their own righteousness by what the did or did not do. However, such a religion could not make the individual right with God, or cleanse the soul temple. God said His desire was that I “walk in and with and among you and will be your God, and you shall be My people” (Leviticus 26:12 AMP).

The gospel was given to the Jews in types and symbols, the Lamb of God who was to take away the sin of the world was presented in a shadowy form in sacrifice and ritual. Thus the author of Hebrews declares, “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: [the Jews] but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2).

Why with all their privileges did the Jews miss out when the Messiah came to them? The prophet foretold what would be the attitude of most of the people. “And He shall be a sanctuary [a sacred and indestructible asylum to those who reverently fear and trust in Him]; but He shall be a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem” (Isaiah 8:14 AMP).

The Jews thought that following the law largely by human effort or even a mere possession of its knowledge gave them a right to the blessings of the Messiah’s kingdom. In reality, they failed to obey God’s law and often failed to meet the requirements of their own man made traditions. Therefore, when God brought to Zion the true foundation stone of the whole Jewish system in Christ; His work, ministry and person was not what the Jews expected. They were looking for a deliverer who would be a mighty worldly king, and who would set up a secular kingdom, bringing Israel glory and fame. That the Messiah should appear as a “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3), and redeem Israel, not by His sword or earthly power, but by His humiliation, passion, and death, was not accepted. Because of this false concept of the Messiah and indeed, of what their religion was really about, the Jews were offended by Christ and rejected Him. The prophet recorded this reaction “we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not” (Ibid). The religious leaders and the majority influenced by them thought it would be a reproach to trust in such a Messiah for salvation.

Christ was a “rock of offense” to many. The word rock means, “a projecting rock, crag, rocky ground a large stone.” Figuratively, “a man like a rock, by reason of his firmness and strength of soul.”³ The word offense means, “a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin): — occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumblingblock.”⁴

“The Son of man is come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11), though this is true, for those who belive not, Christ is an offence. “We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense” (1 Corinthians 1:23 AMP). However to those who believe, because the Spirit of God has brought a renewing of the mind and spiritual understanding “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Psalm 18:2). May Christ be to you the rock of salvation and not a cause of eternal shame. “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38 NKJV).

Endnotes:

1. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, By Joseph Henry Thayer, D.D. Public Domain. Accordance 8.0 Bible Software, formatted and hypertexted by OakTree Software, Inc.

2. Thayer op cit.

3. Greek Lexicon, in The Online Bible CD-Rom, Macintosh Version 4.03 (Niagara Falls, NY: Cross Country Software, www.online-bible.com, 2009).

4. Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament. Accordance 8 Bible Software Hypertexted and formatted by Oaktree Software, Inc.

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