Treasures New and Old

Romans: Not All Jews are of Abraham

This month, we will look at a discussion by Paul that asks the question: Who is really of (spiritual) Israel? Many are born Jewish, but most Jewish people today consider themselves secular and are not observant Jews. Sadly, many people who are born into Christian families and would, when asked, say that they are Christians, but really are not because they never made a faith commitment to Jesus Christ.

As you read this article, ask yourself – am I really of Christ?

Who is Really of Israel?

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 Sarah 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.

• This small section of Romans introduces an unpopular subject, that of selection. Notice I said selection. The truths surrounding this passage are bigger than just sovereignty of God or election as normally discussed.

• These few verses end with verses from Malachi:

Malachi 1:1-3: “The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.”

• The Holy Spirit is setting up a bigger argument that basically says not all that are or seem to be part of a specific group of people actually belong in that group.

Verse 6 Notes: “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:”

• Remember the use of Jacob’s name and Israel’s name in the Bible often points to physical Israel (Jacob) versus spiritual Israel (Israel). Here the Holy Spirit is referring to the spiritual Jewish people as opposed to just the physical DNA Jewish people. He is going to make a point regarding spiritual Israel.
  

• Is the Word of God of none effect? The answer is obviously no. But one might after reading verses 1-5 assume that Paul is implying that God’s Word was unable to reach the lost of Israel and, therefore, he has a great heaviness. But that is clearly not the case here as the church at Rome is made up of Jews and Gentiles who are obviously saved.
  

• So, Paul clarifies his opening remark in verse 6 with an explanation that not all who are in Israel are of Israel. That is to say not all those who are Jewish in the flesh or by birth are Jews who will and do partake of the promises of God in regards to salvation.
  

Verse 7 Notes: “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”

• Paul then goes a step further by pointing out that not all Abraham’s children (sons) were a part of the promise that God made to Abraham. God made it clear that Isaac was the son of promise and not Ismael, or Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuan (Genesis 25:1,6).
  

• The promises of God were specific to those that were called, and Isaac was called. Paul is reminding the readers of this important distinction.
  

Verse 8 Notes: “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.”

• Therefore, the Holy Spirit, through Paul, is using the larger family of Abraham to point out that not all flesh of Abraham is of the promise, and one naturally looks at the additional sons of Abraham as evidence since all Jews know that the promise went to Isaac and his seed. But Paul is using the bigger argument of Abraham’s larger set of sons to point out that not all of Isaac’s seed were going to partake of the promise.

• In other words, not all Jews were going to believe and be saved. Hard truth to accept since all Jews thought themselves the promised people.
  

• Abraham was saved by faith and is the first and best example of faith we are given in the Bible. His faith example is what is really being discussed. Not all Jews of the flesh are Jews of faith.
  

Verse 9 Notes: “For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.”

• A moment ago, I used the word selection. I wish to avoid a discussion of election only because it misses the point Paul and the Holy Spirit is giving to make the Roman church aware of an important truth – that not all who appear to be of faith are indeed of faith. They have not actually chosen to submit themselves to the call to be saved by making Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.
  

• Matthew 22:14: “For many are called, but few are chosen“. This is a hard saying. It does not seem to jive with “Whosoever will, may come”.

• Paul examines the promise to Abraham regarding Isaac by quoting part of Genesis, Chapter 17, prophesying that Sarah will have a son at an appointed time as selected by God. God, in effect, made them wait until they were way past child bearing age before He allowed them to have the son of promise.

• God selected the time of life, and the son, and the line of Abraham that would bear the promises. Selection.
  

• The call to be saved is made to everyone. God is indeed not willing that any should perish. Nevertheless, not all will heed the call. Not all wish to be saved. God will not violate their free will.
  

• Yet, we also cannot ignore the truths set forth in God’s Word that He is sovereign. He chooses whom He will. Jesus Himself said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”
  

• Romans 9:21: “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?”
  

• Paul is using these arguments to remind the church at Rome that he knows and they should know that not all Jews are of faith and saved, even though Paul himself would be willing to forgo eternal life with God to see his fleshly Jewish brethren saved. But they would not and will not be saved.
  

Verse 10 Notes: “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;”

• Paul adds yet another example, that of God selecting Jacob the younger over Esau the elder as the next generation of promise. So, Isaac, the son of promise, has twins by his wife, Rebecca. One would think that the promise would flow to both sons or all children of Isaac and Rebecca. But they only have two sons and no other children.

• And God selects Jacob over Esau. Why?
  

Verse 11-12 Notes: “(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 them that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.”

• So, Paul wishes to examine a bit of the why be making an interesting argument:
  

• • Genesis 25:23: “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.”

• • God declared before thy were born who would rule and prevail and who would not. This is well known to Jews. So God selected even before they were born who He would bless.

• God made that choice before either son was born. Before either had a chance to do good or evil. God selected who would have the promise flow to him. Had Isaac been in charge, Esau would have been selected, but God does not see the heart as we do.

• Paul reminds us that God has the sovereign right to make these selection decisions because He has an ultimate purpose, and His purpose will stand. For us, in our very finite ability to see and focus on the things of an infinite God, His purpose must and will be established even when evil forces try to stop it.

Examples:

• Joseph and his brothers, Genesis 50:20: ” But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” All that Joseph went through God selected for him to prepare him to rule over Egypt and save alive the promised people.

• Syria was called to enact righteous judgement by God against Israel in the north and Judah in the south (Isaiah). But God was still going to punish Syria (or Assyria) for their evil deeds/intents. God selected them for the task of punishing Israel but still punished them for being so willing to do so. Why? It fit God’s purpose.
  

• God sent a lying spirit to deceive Ahab into going to war to be killed: 2 Chronicles 18:21-22: “And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out and do even so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.” God sent a lying spirit to do His bidding? God cannot lie! Does this even make sense? God’s purpose was accomplished even when evil spirits try to mess things up.

• Pharaoh’s heart was hardened by God so that His purpose of punishing Egypt and freeing Israel would be accomplished.
  

• The cross: the ultimate punishment decreed by a sovereign God.
  

Verse 13 Notes: “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”

• And Paul points out how God clearly made a selection by choosing Jacob over Esau. Not just choosing, but choosing to love the one and hate the other. But we miss an important point that can be lost in an election and sovereignty discussion, that is that not everyone who says that they are of Israel are of Israel.
  

• Not everyone who says they are saved are actually saved.
  

• Only those who are saved by faith and walk by faith are saved. And those of us who are saved are not appointed to wrath, but those who are not are appointed.
  

• Just as Paul opened Chapter 9 with great heaviness for the lost of Israel, we also ought to realize that there are many around us who think themselves saved may not be. Where is the fruit? Where is the proof?

• More regarding Jacob and Esau next month.

Beloved, pray for the lost – especially within your family.

May God Bless you!

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe

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