Lesson 117
Romans Chapter Nine
The Faithfulness of God to
2. 9:4-5
First
asks then Answers the question: Who are
Israelites?
- Must recognize that the term
#1 to refer to a racial
#2 to refer to
religious
The
Jewish religion called Judaism is primarily the product of centuries of
rabbinic interpretations of the Old Testament.
It is locked into a traditional form that is codified in the books of the Talmud. It bears no
resemblance to what God instructed Moses.
Modern
Judaism is divided into three basic denominations or sects.
The
first and most influential denomination is ORTHODOX JUDAISM.
Their doctrines and
practice were first formulated by the Pharisee, Scribes and priests who survived the
A.D. 70 holocaust.
In theory, this
group fanatically holds to the Torah. But in reality they hold the rabbinical
interpretations of the Torah as more authoritative.
The
second denomination is CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM.
The conservative Jew
observes the traditional rituals of Judaism but allows for a more liberal
interpretation of the religious fundamentals and of the Jewish life.
The
third denomination is REFORM JUDAISM.
This developed
during the modern times when the age of rationalism began to impact upon the
Jewish community. It is both modernized and secularized. It does not enforce
the ancient traditions and customs, and holds a very liberal view of the Bible.
Use
of the term
#1 to refer to a racial
#2
to refer to religious
#3
use of
This 3rd group
combines together both the racial and spiritual factors that the Bible
describes as "the remnant of
Only an Israelite who
believed in God's revelation of the way of forgiveness was born spiritually.
The Old Testament Israelite believed in the available revelation of the coming
Messiah.
We have already seen
in our study of Romans that the Bible reveals the insufficiency of being only a
racial and religious Jew: (Romans
In conclusion then,
the Bible has always taught that only the racial Israelite who is born
spiritually [regenerated] is a true Israelite and heir to the eternal promises.
9:4 The Advantages to
#1 "to whom
belongs the adoption"; says that
-
as God looked at the whole mass of humanity He said I
choose the people of
-
This can be said of no one else, no other people, as a group
-
This choice is based totally on His Sov. and grace. Dt 7:6-8
**
What makes them special besides God's choice??
2 things; the word and the Messiah.
- When God desired to
bless humanity.
He chose to do so
through the channel of
I will speak with
I will give to
**
One last thing; All
future hope for any real peace in the world is going to come via
**
As important as it is to be properly oriented to the Church age; it is as vital
to see the proper place of
It is the key to
the past, it is the key to the future!
#2.
"and the glory" this reflects what is probably one of the
greatest miracle of Scripture!
-
The glory is a sign of God's divine presence with
-
God gave the people of
#1 it indicated
God's presence. Nu
14:14
#2
it reminded them that they were the object of God's guidance, provision and
protection;
Note:
Just think of the logistics of moving
600,000 men, not counting the families; total probably in excess of 2 million;
across a desert, no water, no twin arches, sand doesn't digest very well;
-
There's another aspect related to the presence of God in the cloud in the
tabernacle/temple.
Because it is the
place for the functional presence of the Lord, of YHWH, the place of fellowship
with Him, the place was also called, the "tent of the meeting" and
the "tent of the testimony."
-
The way of expressing fellowship, an ongoing relationship with God was through
tabernacle terms;
-
Psa. 15:1 "abide in your tent"
-
Psa. 23:6 "dwell in the house of the
Lord"
-
Psa. 24:3-4 "His holy place"