At the heart of Romans 9 is Paul’s evangelistic zeal for his kinsmen according to the flesh, Israel. Israel had been given so much privilege. They were given the wonderful privileges of the Law, the promises, the glory, the covenants and temple service. How could they miss the One to whom all these privileges pointed, Jesus Christ? This was not merely some theoretical or theological issue for Paul. It was real and personal. His heart was breaking and the main question that had to be answered was, “Has the Word of God failed?” God promised to save, and Israel, by and large was not being saved. More than this, while Israel was not being saved, Gentiles were trusting in Christ by the droves.

What Paul so beautifully does in his response is hold together both the sovereignty of God in pursuing His saving purposes and the responsibility of man. Why is Israel not responding to the Gospel? Paul’s answer points both to God and to Israel. And the same is true in our lives.

My prayer this week is that someone, through our study of Romans 9, would come to faith in Christ. That somehow by God’s great grace and mercy through our study of this passage that shows God to be so sovereign and man so small, someone might begin to sense God stirring in their heart. God would, even in this passage, birth within someone a desire to know Christ and His salvation by faith. I pray that you will join us this weekend, and I pray that you would join with me in asking God to move and save lost sinners through our worship of Him in song and in His Word. To God be the glory!

— Pastor Chad McDonald

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