< Romans 9 >

Although Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, he was himself a Jew and greatly distressed that his own people of Israel rejected the gospel. They were the natural children of Abraham and in a very privileged position.

Sadly, being the natural children of Abraham, the people of Israel behaved like Abraham’s natural son, Ishmael, and rejected the word of God. Therefore God declared that the promised seed, which is Christ, would come through Isaac, Abraham’s son born according to God’s promise: “In Isaac shall thy seed be called” (Genesis 21:12).Genesis 21:12XWaiting for response Therefore, the apostle asserted: “the children of promise are counted for the seed”. Consequently, Gentiles can, by belief and baptism “into Christ”, become Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).Galatians 3:29XWaiting for response

There are direct parallels with today for the scriptures also speak of our own time when once more the people of Israel are to be brought out, not just from Egypt, but from all the nations of the earth, into the promised land by the power of God Jeremiah 16:14-15.Jeremiah 16:14-15XWaiting for response Pharaoh was stubborn and modern rulers and peoples will be likewise, but God’s power then achieved the desired result and it will do so again in the near future when all people of the earth will acknowledge the one true and living God and his Son Jesus Christ who will return to exercise that power.

The arrangement that the Gentiles could also be saved did not please the Jews, but Paul shows that all things are God’s and he may do whatever he likes with his own and, in particular, “he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy”. We are simply dust and ashes, made from the clay, but he is the great Creator. Like the potter, he can mould the clay in any way he likes and the clay vessel formed can have no complaints. God, as a potter, can make any vessels he likes but we have the opportunity to be malleable to his will so that we will be part of his new creation and become vessels unto honour and mercy, for his purpose is to “make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles”.

Paul cites examples from the past when God poured his judgments on vessels of wrath, but in the future he will pour out his blessings upon those “who have attained to the righteousness of faith”. Unfortunately, many of the Jews stumbled at Jesus. He is a precious stone, but they saw him as a rock in their path and they stumbled over him (Isaiah 8:14).Isaiah 8:14XWaiting for response Nevertheless, many other Jews, and Gentiles too, accepted Jesus and believed: “and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed”.