Chapter 9 is dealing with God's purpose of election. In verse 6 we see the word Israel twice and each one has a different meaning. One is the physical Israel and the other is the spiritual Israel by election from God. (Romans 9:6 ESV ...For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,) This verse and the remaining verses show us the true Israel is of election, not according to the flesh and not according to works but by God.

Some people suggest the election spoke of here only applies to the Jewish nation in History and not to us today, nor our salvation. However, The same concept is spoke about in the book of Galatians which is written to the Gentiles. We know it is written to the Gentiles because the main point of the book deals with people trying to have the Christians circumcised. Since the Jews would have already been circumcised, it was mainly written to Gentile converts. In chapter 4:28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. Thus, Romans chapter 9 and Galatians is dealing with election of the true Israel, then and now.

The view that God chooses us causes offence to some. Paul anticipated this or he wouldn't have written. Romans 9:14 ESV What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! Any other interpretation would not cause this verse to be written. Today, we are okay with God choosing Israel in the past but not us. Why? If it were not for Him choosing us, none would be saved. "It is absolutely necessary that it be so, for we are so weak and unsure of ourselves that, if it depended on us, no human being would be saved." Martin Luther

Jesus spoke of this election in Joh_6:44 and elsewhere, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. The word draw is commonly referred to wooing but this is not speaking of wooing. This same word is used in other parts of the scripture, Drag you into court (James 2:6), Drew the net in (John 21:11), Dragged them into the market place (Acts 16:19), Dragged him out of the temple (Acts 21:30). Can you woo someone into court, and so on...? No major translation, translates draw into wooing. No, this is God's purpose of election. No one can come, unless he is drawn not wooed. Ponder this, by praying for someone's salvation are we asking God to woo someone or are we asking him to draw someone?

(11a) though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad

According to the promise not the flesh!!! Not works!!! Born of the Spirit!!!

(11b) in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—

God's purpose of election

"For you will certainly carry out God's purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John. CS Lewis

Romans 9:6-14 ESV But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, (7) and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." (8) This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. (9) For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son." (10) And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, (11) though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— (12) she was told, "The older will serve the younger." (13) As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (14) What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!


Sermon preached at One Way Christian Center, OWCC - Church in Olustee, OK, on May 25th 2014 by pastor Bryan Walker.