Romans Chapter 9
Introduction:
God's sovereignty and man's responsibility are like the two sides of the coin.
I cannot do anything without God, and he will not do anything without me.
Examples:
1.
Esau & Jacob [vv10-13]
Esau
- Immediate need more important than eternal future (Heb
12:15-17)
Jacob
- Not blessed until broken (Gen 32:24-28)
2. Moses & Pharaoh [vv15-18]
Moses - Though chosen for mercy, not granted entrance to Canaan
because of unbelief
(Ex
33:17-20; Num 20:12; Dt 34:10-12)
Pharaoh - Exclusively raised for manifestation of God's power! (v 17)
(Satan is God's servant, in a sense.)
Similar
example - Jesus' delay to go to Lazarus' home.
3. Abraham [vv6-9]
The son according to flesh [Abraham's own effort] was not given any covenant.
He
had to wait for God's time and God's way (Gen
17:17-21)
4. Jews & Gentiles [vv30-33]
Compare
Jn 1:11,12
LESSONS
1. The call and choice of God must be greatly revered and respected.
Any failure to live upto His expectations must be dealt with great concern
(vv 1,2)
(3-5)
2. The Word of God should not be questioned in haste at apparent failures
but the real meaning of the Word must be understood with patience
and by careful
study (vv6-9)
3. The purpose of God stands independent of man's goodness or badness because of
God's absolute
righteousness (vv10-15)
4.
We must desire and run but the victory
is in God's hand
Examples:
Zech 4:6-9
Zerubbabel must shout and work.
1 Cor 3:6-8
Paul and Apollos must labour.
Prov 21:30-31 Horse must be prepared.
5. We must yield ourselves to His moulding unconditionally. He is our Potter
and we are just clay. God is not answerable to us (vv19-21).
[Isa
55:6-9 "Return to God's thoughts"]
6. Nothing pleases God as an active faith on the Rock of Ages cleft for us!
(vv30-33). Christ is the only ground of acceptance before God
for our
Salvation, Sanctification, Supplication and Service.