Lesson 120
Romans Chapter Nine
The Faithfulness of God to
Review:
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Paul makes it clear here though that it was not enough to be of the seed of
Abraham, his descendant after the flesh, something more involved!
9:8 States the distinction;
That is between the
children of the flesh and those of the promise.
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Paul in vs:9 goes back to Gen. and quotes
This makes it clear
that Isaac was born by God's choice since only God could enable his conception
and birth.
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So Paul's first illustration was that not all
#2
not based on human performance 9:10-13 Jacob and Esau [next generation]
Clearly we have
God's sovereignty in view here, He has made a choice,
one to fulfill His purpose, His plan.
God made sovereign
choices at various times in history to establish the nation
Main focus of all
this is the line of Christ; the promised seed [Gal.
- Line of Christ
Abraham Gen 12:3
Isaac Gen 17:19
Jacob Gen 25:23
David 2 Sam
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Explanation to Mary Lk 1:31-33 by the angel makes the
connection with the Davidic line and that He was to rule over the house of
Jacob; the nation
- Vs.11 begins with a statement followed by a purpose
clause; Read!
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The purpose clause begins with "in order that - God's purpose according
to (His) choice might stand,"
purpose = proqesij fr. protiqhmi idea is to set before one self, to propose to one's
self, to purpose;
During the time
frame in view, what was the primary purpose/focus of God's plan?
God's choice of
Jacob over Esau is indicated by the quote in
Note: John Calvin confused and mixed election and predestination.
He used this
passage as the definition passage on election to salvation which is not even
the subject of the context.
This statement that
the older would serve the younger was a major cultural shock to Rebekah and
Isaac.
Under the rights of
primogeniture the first born son which would be Esau, but not by much, would
have all the inheritance rights; this was the pattern of the time and was not
questioned.
We know of no
situation or incident from Scripture where we can say that Esau himself
personally served the younger/lesser Jacob.
But we do know that
Esau's descendants, the Edomites, did serve Jacob's
descendants,
Look at Mal 1:2-3 It is here that we
see love and hate in the wider context YHWH is pleading with Israel, the sons
of Jacob, to serve and obey Him, and He
does so on the ground that He is doubly entitled to their obedience, first
because He is creator and second because of the privileges that they have; these demonstrate My love for you!
Love and hate are both attitudes
and we need to understand what God means by their use.
The Hebrew thought
process is contrasting between what is to be chosen or preferred and what is to
be rejected and despised.
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Dr. Walter Kaiser Jr. commenting on these two words and their use makes this
statement; Only the one who truly loves can understand
the need to hate with a burning hatred all wrong and evil.
Kittles Theological Dict. misew; its use in OT/LXX; This is not an emotional
hatred but a disowning of evil and of those who commit it. As the wicked love
evil and hate the good so the righteous love the good and hate the evil.
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To hit the average 20th Century Christian mentality with the idea that to
please God you must be a lover and a hater! They just can't fathom this at all!