The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Romans 9:10-13,
"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.'"
In this passage Paul points to God's sovereign will in the choices he makes. The NIV uses the term "election" here, something we use very little outside of our political process when we vote. The term means "choice". God has a purpose when he makes his choices and it matters not what we think, do or say about them as it is his purposes that will stand. Paul uses God's announcement to Rebekah about a decision he had made regarding her yet to be born twins as an example of this reality. God had already chosen something about her sons before they were born resulting in the natural order of things being reversed for them: the older would serve the younger.
Note that Paul makes reference to the fact that God's decision had been made before either of the twins had ever done anything, whether good or bad. It will not make any difference what they might do as it is God's decision, his choice or his "election" that will stand.
I suspect very few actually read Paul's letter to the Romans of those who love to quote from it. It may surprise many to learn that Paul's point here has nothing to do with God selecting certain individuals for salvation while rejecting others. In this part of Paul's letter he is demonstrating to his readers that salvation can only be had through faith and trust. Attempts at keeping the law will not do. God has decided only those who embrace him in faith will be saved. It doesn't matter what we may think or do, hence Paul's example of Jacob and Esau.
While the Jews may protest, that their efforts at law-keeping ought to bring them God's acceptance, Paul quotes Exodus 33:19 with God saying, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." Romans 9:15. Paul concludes this thought in Romans 9:30-32, "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the 'stumbling stone.'"
God has chosen that only those who embrace him in faith will be saved. Being a do-gooder will not get me there. This is God's election.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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