Lesson 8: Israel’s Past (ROMANS 9:1–33)
Lesson 8
Israel’s Past
(ROMANS 9:1–33)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Romans 9:1–33. This lesson references chapter 8 in Be Right. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
Paul argued in Romans 8 that the believer is secure in Jesus Christ and that God’s election would stand (Rom. 8:28–30). But someone might ask, “What about the Jews? They were chosen by God, and yet now you tell us they are set aside and God is building His church. Did God fail to keep His promises to Israel?” In other words, the very character of God was at stake. If God was not faithful to the Jews, how do we know He will be faithful to the church?
—Be Right, pages 111–12
1. Why do you think Paul took this break from doctrinal teaching to talk about the original role of the Israelites in God’s plan? How does this chapter fit with the larger theme of Romans?
More to Consider: Read about God’s election of Israel as His people in Exodus 4:22–23, 40:34–38, and 1 Kings 8:10–11. How does this play into Paul’s teaching in Romans 9?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Romans 9:1–33 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here. What strikes you about this verse?
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
It is remarkable how Paul moved from the joy of Romans 8 into the sorrow and burden of Romans 9. When he looked at Christ, he rejoiced, but when he looked at the lost people of Israel, he wept. Like Moses (Ex. 32:30–35), he was willing to be cursed and separated from Christ if it would mean the salvation of Israel. What a man this Paul was! He was willing to stay out of heaven for the sake of the saved (Phil. 1:22–24), and willing to go to hell for the sake of the lost.
—Be Right, page 112
3. What is your reaction to Paul’s sorrow over Israel? How do you feel about Paul’s words in Romans 9:3? What drives Paul’s passion about the nation of Israel?
From the Commentary
“Is there unrighteousness with God?” Paul asked, and then he replied, “God forbid!” It is unthinkable that the holy God should ever commit an unrighteous act. Election is always totally a matter of grace. If God acted only on the basis of righteousness, nobody would ever be saved.
—Be Right, page 114
4. What does Wiersbe mean by the word election? Respond to his statement about election being totally a matter of grace. Why would no one be saved if God acted only on the basis of righteousness? Why is this truth critical to what Paul teaches in Romans 9?
From Today’s World
In a world driven by political correctness, the idea that “everyone is entitled to his or her religious beliefs” is sometimes interpreted as “everyone is right.” This sort of thinking might support the idea of tolerance, but it goes against the very nature of a Holy God who must punish sin in order for Him to be holy and yet desires for people to be saved from sin.
5. How does a believer’s faith intersect with the world’s view on religious beliefs? Does “political correctness” mesh well with what you know about God as written in Romans? Why or why not? How can Christians be “in the world but not of it” when it comes to living out the truth of (and telling others about) God’s “sovereign election”?
From the Commentary
God is holy and must punish sin, but God is loving and desires to save sinners. If everybody is saved, it would deny His holiness, but if everybody is lost, it would deny His love. The solution to the problem is God’s sovereign election.
A seminary professor once said to me, “Try to explain election, and you may lose your mind; but explain it away and you will lose your soul!”
—Be Right, pages 114–15
6. Circle the words Paul uses in this chapter that tell about God’s original plan for the Israelites. Then underline those words that illustrate God’s grace. How do God’s mercy and justice work together in this?
From the Commentary
God is wiser than we are, and we are foolish to question His will or to resist it. (The reference here is to Isa. 45:9.) To be sure, the clay has no life and is passive in the potter’s hand. We have feelings, intellect, and willpower, and we can resist Him if we choose. (See Jer. 18, where this thought is developed.) But it is God who determines whether a man will be a Moses or a Pharaoh.
—Be Right, page 116
7. What is the importance of man’s ability to resist God in Paul’s teaching about the Israelites? Why do men still choose to resist or question God’s will? What was the Israelites’ reason for resisting God?
From the Commentary
God prepares men for glory (Rom. 9:23), but sinners prepare themselves for judgment. In Moses and Israel, God revealed the riches of His mercy; in Pharaoh and Egypt, He revealed His power and wrath. Since neither deserved any mercy, God cannot be charged with injustice.
—Be Right, page 117
8. In what ways does God prepare men for glory? How do sinners prepare themselves for judgment? How was this true in Paul’s day? Today?
More to Consider: Wiersbe writes that “at the exodus, God rejected the Gentiles and chose the Jews, so that, through the Jews, He might save the Gentiles.” According to Paul, how did God save the Gentiles through the Jews?
From the Commentary
Paul moved next from divine sovereignty to human responsibility. Note that Paul did not say “elect” and “nonelect,” but rather emphasized faith. Here is a paradox: the Jews sought righteousness but did not find it, while the Gentiles, who were not searching for it, found it! The reason? Israel tried to be saved by works and not by faith.
—Be Right, page 118
9. Why do you think Paul emphasizes “faith” in his discussion of human responsibility instead of “elect” and “nonelect”? What is your response to the paradox Wiersbe describes in the excerpt? How do Christians today sometimes attempt to be saved by works and not by faith? What does a “responsible faith” look like?
From the Commentary
No one will deny that there are many mysteries connected with divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Nowhere does God ask us to choose between these two truths, because they both come from God and are a part of God’s plan. They do not compete; they cooperate. The fact that we cannot fully understand how they work together does not deny the fact that they do. When a man asked Charles Spurgeon how he reconciled divine sovereignty and human responsibility, Spurgeon replied, “I never try to reconcile friends!”
—Be Right, page 119
10. What is the greatest challenge in understanding the paradox of sovereignty and responsibility? How do they “cooperate”?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Romans 9:1–33. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. Paul quotes God’s words to Moses in this chapter, reminding readers that God has mercy and compassion on those whom He chooses. What is your emotional reaction to this? How do you factor this in with your own faith story?
12. How do you feel about the truth that because of God’s holiness, not everyone will get into heaven? Who are the people in your life who don’t yet know Christ? What are some things you can do now to help them see what a life of faith might be like? What are some other things you can do to help people you care about come to Christ?
13. What does God’s mercy look like in your life? How do you show your thankfulness to God for electing you? What does it mean to you to be responsible with the faith you’ve been given? How does that play out in everyday life?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to learn more about God’s holiness? Embrace the responsibilities that come with being “elected” by God? Be specific. Go back through Romans 9:1–33 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Interview one or more Jewish friends about their understanding of this chapter in Romans. Then spend some time in the coming weeks praying specifically for your Jewish friends—that they might see the truth of Christ’s role as Messiah and choose to follow Him.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the “Going Forward” section in this lesson. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Romans 10:1–21. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 9, “The Wrong Righteousness,” in Be Right.