December 3, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Romans Chapter 9
1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 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.
9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (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;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction:
Romans 9 is a challenging yet profound chapter of the New Testament. Here, the Apostle Paul addresses the difficult questions of God’s election, Israel’s position, and the role of faith. During a time when many pondered their identity and place in God’s plan, Paul provides a clear, though demanding, answer: it is neither physical lineage nor works that matter, but God’s sovereign grace and the promise activated through faith. Let us approach this chapter with open hearts and a seeking spirit to better understand the message of hope and grace.
Commentary:
Israel’s Divine Sonship (Verses 1–5):
Paul begins with a personal expression of his love for Israel and his sorrow over their rejection of the gospel. He highlights Israel’s unique privileges: divine sonship, the promises, the law, and the glory. However, he makes it clear that these blessings alone do not lead to salvation.
Children of the Promise (Verses 6–13):
Paul demonstrates that God’s promises are not limited by physical descent. Instead, God works sovereignly, as illustrated in the examples of Isaac and Jacob. God’s election is not based on human merit but solely on His grace.
God’s Sovereign Election (Verses 14–24):
The question of God’s justice is raised. Paul emphasizes that God is sovereign and just in exercising election. This choice is not arbitrary but follows God’s plan to reveal His glory and mercy.
The True Israel and the Gentiles (Verses 25–29):
Using prophecies, Paul shows that God’s plan has always included the Gentiles. While Israel is not rejected, only a remnant will be saved.
Righteousness by Law vs. Righteousness by Faith (Verses 30–33):
Finally, Paul makes it clear that righteousness comes by faith, not by works of the law. The Gentiles have attained this righteousness through faith, while many Israelites have stumbled over Christ, the “stone of stumbling.”
Summary:
Romans 9 reveals the depth of God’s plan of salvation, which is based not on human merit but solely on His sovereign grace. Paul explains that God’s promises have never failed and that the true Israelite is one who lives by faith. The Gentiles have accessed righteousness through faith, while many Israelites have clung to works-righteousness. God’s sovereign election is a manifestation of His grace, and Christ remains the central “rock” upon which salvation is determined. This message encourages us to place our trust in God’s grace rather than our works.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages
Chapter 78—Calvary
This chapter is based on Matthew 27:31-53; Mark 14:20-38; Luke 23:26-46; John 19:16-30.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction
The chapter on Golgotha is a central passage in Christian theology, as it represents the climax of the redemption story. The crucifixion of Jesus is detailed in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, as well as in other biblical references such as Hebrews 13:12 and Galatians 3:13. It becomes clear here that Jesus suffered and died outside Jerusalem as the spotless sacrifice for the sins of humanity. His love, patience, and obedience even in the worst agony are expressions of His divine nature and His mission to redeem humanity. Golgotha is more than a historical fact—it is the place where God’s plan of redemption was fulfilled.
Commentary
The events of Golgotha, as described in the Gospels, unfold the dramatic and spiritual significance of Jesus’ death. They reveal both the cruelty of humanity and the infinite love of God.
The Road to Golgotha
Jesus was accompanied by a crowd to the place of execution. His cross, originally intended for Barabbas, was imposed upon Him, even though He was physically and spiritually exhausted from the events of the night. His weakness underscores His complete humanity, while His willingness to carry the cross demonstrates His divine love. Simon of Cyrene, a random passerby, was forced to carry the cross, and this encounter changed his life. This episode shows that even in His weakness, Jesus inspires people to take up their own crosses.
The Crucifixion
Jesus was crucified outside the city walls, in a place of shame and contempt, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. The account emphasizes the fulfillment of Scripture, such as the division of His garments (Psalm 22). Jesus’ demeanor during the crucifixion is marked by remarkable patience and love. His prayer for the forgiveness of His tormentors shows that He died not only for the righteous but for all sinful humanity.
The Reaction of the People
The crucifixion reveals the state of humanity. Some mocked Jesus, challenged Him to come down from the cross, and thus demonstrated their blindness. Others, like the repentant thief, recognized His divinity and experienced forgiveness and hope. The women who accompanied Him showed compassion, but their mourning often reflected only human sympathy. Jesus directed their gaze to the future destruction of Jerusalem and God’s final judgments.
The Spiritual Work on the Cross
On the cross, Jesus bore the weight of the world’s sin. His cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” reveals the anguish that comes with separation from God. He endured this separation so that humanity could find fellowship with God again. His final “It is finished!” declares the completion of His redemptive work. The curtain in the temple was torn in two, a symbolic act that opened access to God for all people.
The Earthquake and the Signs
Nature responded to the death of the Creator: darkness covered the land, an earthquake shook the region, and tombs were opened. These events were visible signs of the cosmic significance of what was happening. They reinforced the impression that Jesus’ death was not merely a human drama but a divine intervention in history.
The Theology of the Cross
The cross of Golgotha is the center of the Christian faith. Here, God’s wrath against sin and His infinite love become visible. Jesus bore the sin of the world and, through His sacrifice, restored the relationship between God and humanity. His death was not the end but the beginning of a new path of reconciliation and eternal life.
Summary
The Golgotha chapter portrays the crucifixion of Jesus as the climax of the salvation history. The journey to the skull place, the humiliations, the reactions of the people, and the cosmic signs at the cross emphasize the immense significance of His sacrifice. Jesus died outside the city walls as the spotless sacrifice to take upon Himself the sin of humanity and reconcile the world with God. His prayer for His tormentors, His promise to the thief, and His triumphant “It is finished!” testify to His divine love and the completion of His redemptive work. Golgotha stands for the unsurpassable love of God and is a call to embrace this love through faith.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/3-11-2024-romans-chapter-9-believe-his-prophets/
