Deotion 7.31.26
Romans 9
God's Sovereign Choice
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
After a lengthy discourse on the condition of man, our justification found through Christ and faith in him, given to us in baptism, Paul asserts his anguish in Israel not believing in the promise fulfilled in Christ.
Okay men, this stays in this room. God comes up to Adam, tells him of the most beautiful part of his creation yet to come. A partner so wonderful to last throughout eternity with for him to be held in the highest esteem like God himself. Adam asks what he has to give for such a creation. God says, Your leg. Adam asks, "What can I get for a rib?" (No, I won't quit my day job.)
Imagine you are the elect in Rome and you've been in a room listening to the letter from Paul being read. In attendance are Jews suffering under persecution and Gentiles coming into faith. Thus far, you've heard in a single letter, written on a "sheet of paper": Man's condition; God's wrath against sin; Justified through faith; peace through Christ; sin's death through baptism; slaves to sin and righteousness; and, God's Spirit and his Work in us and for us.
Now you get to this. A plea from Paul. God's done all this for us (Israel, as his chosen, his elect race), yet Paul is in anguish to the point that he would exchange his own assurance in the eternity for himself in order to see his fellow members in the elect believe in this miracle from God.*
What would you be willing to give up to save the life of one of your own children? I know of people who have donated a kidney to a loved one: a dad to a daughter and a son to a mom. I also know of a dad who donated part of his liver to generate a liver in his infant son. Paul is willing to give up his entire life for Israel to believe. Christ, as we noted last week, gave up the heavenly realm as he came to earth and joined us. He gave up his seat next to the Father to be in a lowly estate. He then gave up his life for Israel, which is now extended to us.
Adam gave up a rib. Paul offers to exchange his existence for Israel's belief. Christ gave us his all.
This is the good news, as Paul writes later: That Israel's promise, fulfilled in Christ, extends to us, the Gentiles. Christ gave us his all for our sin from Adam through today through the Second Coming.
Pray with me: God, I believe, help my unbelief. Help those whom we know who do not confess belief in you to gain the gift of faith, so that we can all enjoy eternal life with you. Forgive us for our sins, and open the hearts of those whose hearts may be resistant to you. In Your Son's Holy Name, Amen.
*From the Study Notes
The study notes are certain in their assertion that no such exchange can occur. Here is the exact note:
"If it were possible to ask this of God (which it really is not), Paul would share Moses’ desire to be blotted out of the book of life for the sake of his people (Exodus 32:32). Luth: “A most excellent and entirely apostolic way of speaking here of love both toward Christ as well as toward the Jews” (AE 25:380)."
Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He created us to be.