God’s Sovereign Mercy

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

God’s Sovereign Mercy

Date: Jun. 14, 2023

Passage

Romans 9:1-18 (ESV)

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

For information on how the ESV can be quoted, please visit our permission site.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 9:16

So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

Paul was a Jew. His heart was broken because his own people rejected Christ. He would have exchanged his own salvation for theirs, had it been possible. The Israelites enjoyed the privileges of being God's sons, having his covenant, and being eyewitnesses of his glory. God dwelt with them and provided the way of forgiveness and worship. Their greatest glory was the Christ, who is God over all. But the Israelites rejected Christ and lost their privilege. Heritage is valuable, but the point is knowing and serving Jesus, who is God over all.

Israel failed, but God did not fail. God fulfilled his promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his offspring. In his sovereign mercy, God chose Jacob rather than Esau. When Pharaoh opposed God, God used him anyway to proclaim his name in all the earth. No one can belong to God by their own desire or effort, only by God’s sovereign mercy.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, I believe your promises; teach me to depend on your unfailing mercy.

One Word: One Word: Depend on God’s mercy

In the End, Have Faith in God

Genesis 49:29-50:26

Key Verse: 49:50:24

When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

Today's Question

What benefits in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

See answer and references