WHAT ABOUT ISRAEL?
Romans 9:1-29

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Romans 1 - 8

• Thesis – 1:16-17
• Antithesis – 1:18-3:20
• Restatement of Thesis – 3:21-31
• Abraham – 4:1-25
• Christ and Adam – 5:1-21
• Sin & Grace, Law & Spirit – 6-8

The Elephant in the Room

• So what about Israel?
• Are they separated from God’s love?
• Did God abandon them? Did he change the terms?
• Is God just and fair?

Romans 9:1-5

1. The advantage of being a Jew (Romans 3:1-6)
2. Paul is not antagonistic to Jews
3. Paul is dedicated to their salvation, just as he is for the Gentiles

Retelling the Story

9:7-13 – Patriarchs
9:14-18 – Exodus
9:24-28 – Exile
9:29 - Messiah

Patriarchs – Romans 9:7-13

1. Isaac and Ishmael
   • Natural means vs. Promise
   • Genesis 21:12
   • Genesis 18:10-14
2. Jacob and Esau
   • Genesis 25:23
   • Malachi 1:2-3

Exodus – Romans 9:14-18

1. So is God unjust?
   • Exodus 33:19
   • God’s covenant name
2. Example of Pharaoh
   • Exodus 9:16
   • The demonstration of power and love

Exile – Romans 9:24-28

1. So why does God blame us?
   • Potter and Clay imagery
   • Isaiah 29:16, 45:9
2. The Remnant
   • Some are left to start over
   • God works with the outcasts
3. Israel: Forest and Trees

The Rest of the Story

• God’s not finished with Israel
• If He can save Israel to save the Gentiles ...
• Then He can save the Gentiles in order to save Israel!

Chris Benjamin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Evening Sermon, 18 January 2009

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