Off the Shelf Sunday School--Romans

The People of Israel (9:1-13)

I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”          

1.    Paul expresses his concern for his people, the Jews. His anxiety is so severe that, if it were possible, he would trade his salvation and be cursed, if it would save his people. The Israelites are God’s chosen people through whom God established covenants and gave them his laws. Yet, despite these many blessings, not everyone who is a Jew would be saved. The Jews believed that they could be saved because they were descendants of Abraham. They believed that salvation could be earned by observing laws, customs and doctrines. There are some Christians who believe they will likewise be saved because they are members of a church and observe their laws, customs and doctrines. Can you name some of these false beliefs?

2.    It was through Abraham’s son Isaac and not his son Ishmael that the promised Messiah, Jesus was born. Isaac was a child promised by God in his old age, while Ishmael was born through the will and customs of Abraham’s time. (He took his maid servant at the request of his wife to have an heir.) Likewise, Isaac had two sons but God chose Jacob and not Esau to be the ancestor of Jesus. Paul uses these examples to show that not everyone who is descended from Abraham is saved.

3.    Paul also teaches that it is God who chooses to save some people while others are not. A person is not saved because of his religion, race or customs. A person is saved because God calls them and gives them the grace of faith to believe in Jesus. (Eph 2:1-10)