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D. Christ Superior in Mediation. Hebrews 4:14 – 10:18 (Aaron and Melchizadec)

1. Because of His Qualifications. Hebrews 4:14-7:25

Paul explained –

a. His Priesthood –

Last week we learned of His High Priesthood –

1). Declared. 4:14-16

Today we will be challenged by His Position as we see His High Priesthood –

2). Compared. 5:1-10

The High Priest –

a). Under Law. 5:1-4

We are reminded that the High Priest according to the will of God was appointed by God, chosen from the Tribe of Levi, and specifically from the family of Aaron of the family of Levi. The appointment, setting apart, of this man was for the purpose of approaching God with gifts and sacrifices as man’s representative before God. Note again the High Priest was a man from among men. Therefore he understood man and had compassion on them. It is interesting that his representation is noted where the sins were for the ignorant and wayward. NOTE: there was no sacrifice designated for the sin committed on purpose, man understanding the act of sin and committing it anyway. A man can only throw himself before God seeking mercy in His judgment.

Numbers 15:30-31 But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.

When we, believers, sin against God on purpose, consequences for that rebellion against Him will result. We should repent of that sin, turning from it and to God, but we will be punished according to His decision of what is appropriate. We will not lose our salvation! Paul teaches this clearly in chapter six.
The believer’s High Priest –

b). Under Grace. 5:5-10

The appointment of Jesus as High Priest is based on the authority (…Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest…), and purpose of God (…Thou art a priest…). One question that would be naturally raised by the Hebrews was that Jesus of Nazareth was not of the tribe of Levi, but of the tribe of Judah, from which no High Priest were chosen. How could He then be the High Priest? Paul answered the question by informing us that Jesus was not set apart as of the Aaronic Priesthood, but of that which was long before Levi and Aaron – that of Melchisedec (…after the order of Melchisedec…) – The Priest of Salem to whom Abraham submitted and paid tithes –

Genesis 14:18-20 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Melchisedec held the positions of King and Salem and Priest of God. Jesus’ priesthood did not follow lineage, but type. Melchisedsec was a type of the Promised Messiah. The Holy Spirit had declared these two things through the Psalmist in –

Psalm 2:6-7 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

And in –

Psalm 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

We need to remember these two statements of the will of God. They will be referred to in the following chapter!

The Hebrews knew these truths but did not understand the application of them. The Lord led Paul to explain this ministry of our Saviour. Paul, knowing the mindset of the people turned now to challenge them and us to seek to know and understand the meaning of God’s Word and its application in our lives.

Paul then exhorted –

b. His People – challenged. 5:11-6:20

Note: 5:11-6:20 contains a challenge from Paul to the recipients of the letter. These verses are a parenthesis containing a challenge. Beginning in 7:1 he continues his train of thought, elaborating on his statement in 5:10. In this challenge, He used a pattern that he would later send to Timothy to help in his ministry. Refer to 2 Timothy 4:2

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

We note the –

1). Rebuke. 5:11-14 Paul confronts –

a). Indifference. 5:11
b). Immaturity. 5:12,13
c). Idleness 5:14 Not exercising their sense of discernment.

The believers were assured of their salvation and were challenged to grow in their knowledge of the Lord. The unbelievers were confronted with the evidence of their unbelief. Assurance of salvation is noted throughout the Word of God.

Are you saved today?
Do have assurance of that salvation?

Are you living out your salvation in such a manner that gives glory to God?

Section One
The Sovereign God
Romans Chapter 9

In order to find the mindset of Paul we should return briefly to Romans 8:1 and 8:28-39. We want to discover two things about him as he moves from one thought to the next.
The first is his declaration of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He completes his statement to the glory of God on a high note in exaltation of the Lord and the position of His saints. Now, imagine that he takes a moment to reflect on his position in Christ, and yet the position of those individuals he dearly loves, and the nation he loves in a position of separation from the Lord. They had declared Paul to be their enemy, deserving death –

Acts 9:22-23 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

Yet, his love for them was never diminished. He was not their enemy and his desire was that they be saved. This brings us to the second thought that was considered and must be answered –

If God is true and there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus; if there is not anything that can separate the believer from the Love of God, and if there is not anything that can separate God from the love of the believer, and if this is the position ordained by God for the believer in Christ before the foundation of the world: is God just in His rejection of His elect nation Israel?  If God can cast off His nation, He can also cast off His church.  This question must be answered!  Paul presented the answer in chapters nine through eleven.

I. Paul revealed his personal desire. Romans 9:1-5 The Israelites to be saved.

A. He Sorrowed for them. Romans 9:1,2

1. His plea. Romans 9:1

He humbled himself before them and presented his plea in the company of two witnesses that knew his heart and mind, The Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. He promised the readers that he had no other motive than to see them come to the Lord for salvation, he was not lying to them.

2. His passion. Romans 9:2

His passion for the people is full, all encompassing. We might refer to Paul’s words to the believers in Rome –

Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

We note this his passion is full here also: “…great heaviness, and continual sorrow…”

Paul understood their standing before God and the condemnation they were under through their unbelief.

He had given himself wholly to the Lord. His life was only about the Lord. His heart is revealed from his testimony in –

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

His love for his people is reflective of the love of God and the words of Jesus as He wept over Israel –

Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Because of his Paul’s love for them –

B. He Sought for their good. Romans 9:3

He would give himself, if possible! He could not take their place, as there is only One qualified and the offering had already been made. This being the case, He did the only thing he could do. He gave his life by living for them –

Philippians 1:21-24 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Paul’s life was about others having eternal life in the Lord.

C. He Set forth their advantages. Romans 9:4,5
Israel were God’s chosen people. No one could contest this truth. God had blessed them above all the people of the earth.

1. Israelites. Their heritage in Jacob.
2. The Adoption.

Deuteronomy 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

3. Glory. The presence of God among them. Sinai, The Tabernacle, The Temple.
4. The Covenants. Promises (unconditional and conditional) to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Nation, David, Jeremiah.
5. The Law. Given at Sinai
6. The Service. Levitical priesthood, the offerings, the service.
7. Promises. The Messiah. The everlasting Kingdom.

Notice the completeness of the blessings of God upon His people –

Isaiah 5:1-5 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:

The Jews needed to remember God’s Word that judgment is sure but also He will not completely destroy them or cast them out. A promise is left to them –

Isaiah 60:10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.

Individual salvation in the Lord and national salvation to come.

If God is true and there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus; if there is not anything that can separate the believer from the Love of God and this is the position ordained by God for the believer in Christ before the foundation of the world: is God just in His rejection of His elect nation Israel? If God can cast off His nation, He can also cast off His church. This question must be answered! Paul presented the answer in chapters nine through eleven.

Next –

II. Paul declared the Sovereign God always demanded personal faith.
Romans 9:6-29

A. He showed them the error of their belief. Romans 9:6

He taught them that it is not all about who you are, but Who you know. Who you are may give you and advantage, but it is not the relationship of the flesh that brings salvation. It is only by faith, by belief, by trust in God through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Jews chose their physical heritage to provide righteousness instead of faith in the truth of God –

B. He showed them examples of God’s sovereign will through Scripture. Romans 9:7-18

1. Abraham had many sons, yet not all were chosen by God –
Ishmael, Isaac, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.yet only one was chosen by God to receive the promise of the covenant, Isaac.

2. Isaac – Jacob, the younger son of Isaac, was to receive the covenant promise. Esau, the elder, who was the first born and was entitled to lead the family, was to submit to Jacob, the younger, who was chosen by God to receive the blessing.

a. The Birthright explained.

1). Before the giving of the Law, the Patriarchs gave their firstborn sons a double portion of their holdings as well as leadership of the family.
2). Blessings according to the Law.

The practice of Jacob was forbidden for future generations.

Deuteronomy 21:15-17 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

b. The Birthright examined.

While this was not the normal order of things, God showed His sovereign power in choosing who He would to receive the Covenant blessing. He did not choose based on the abilities of the men as they had not even yet been born. He chose them because He simply wanted to – it was His will. Could Esau have submitted to God? Yes, of course he could have, but he chose to rebel against the will of God. In God’s sovereign will, He always involves choice.

c. The Birthright dilemma.

Two Scriptures are used as proof texts of election to salvation and election to damnation which involve Esau.

Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

As being quoted by Paul from –

Malachi 1:2-3 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

These two verses are often referenced to the initial choice of God of Jacob over Esau. We must look again at this declaration –
Genesis 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

The is not a declaration of condemnation! It is a command to obedience to the Sovereign rule of God over the current practice of the birthright. God overrules man!

What about the fact that the Word of God states that God hated Esau? We learned that the word ‘hate’ does not lead to condemnation but to choose righteousness.

We learned also that the heritage of Esau was destroyed off the face of the earth because of their determined sin against God, not because of Esau’s requirement to serve Jacob, the younger brother! They were destroyed because of unbelief!

God is sovereign! There is no doubt, it is a fact. But God’s sovereignty cannot be turned to support the false doctrines of election to condemnation. All are already condemned. Tonight we continue to look at the argument of Paul for the sovereignty of God through referring back to –

3. Moses. Romans 9:15-18

We look back to the previous verse to introduce this section –

Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

a. Paul referred to God’s dealing with Moses as another explanation of the sovereign dealings of God with His creation. He quoted God’s word to Moses from Exodus 33:19. We need to look to look back to the Book of Exodus to determine the context of understanding of Paul and the readers of this letter –

1). The Commission given to Moses.

Exodus 3:7-10 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

2). The Command given to Pharaoh.

a). The reasonable request.

Exodus 3:18-19 And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.

b). The rebellious heart.

Exodus 5:1-2 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

c). The results of disobedience.

Exodus 6:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

Exodus 7:3-5 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

Exodus 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

3). The Conquest of the Egyptians.
“…saw the great work which the Lord did…”

Exodus 14:30-31 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Exodus 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

4). The Constant presence of God among them.

Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

5). The Complaining people.

a). They denied the power of God.

Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

b). They denied the person of God.

Exodus 32:4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

6). The Consequences of their sin. “…let me along…” do not intercede.

Exodus 32:7-10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

7). The Cry of Moses. He interceded!

Exodus 32:31-32 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Reminds of Romans 9:1-4 and the heartfelt cry of Paul.

8). The Conditions for peace set forth.

Exodus 32:33-35 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

a). Personal judgment for rebellion.

Exodus 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

b). Presence of God would not be among them.

Exodus 33:3 Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

9). The Covenant of Moses with God. Exodus 33

a). He separated himself unto God.

Exodus 33:7 And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.

(If God would not dwell amongst the people, neither would Moses)

b). He sought the Lord’s presence.

Exodus 33:13-17 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

c). He sought the Lord’s Person.

Exodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

d). He secured the Lord’s promise.

Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

God had chosen Israel to be His nation, a people who would testify to the world of the only true God. While the people may have been called citizens of the nation of Israel, this was not a guarantee of their salvation. The relationship with God is personal, each individual having faith in Him. The people could not make a claim on God because they were Israelites. They must believe in Him, trusting Him for all things.
The Jews in Paul’s day were the same as many of the Jews in Moses’ time. They believed God owed them everything they wanted because of who they were, not whose they were! Paul reminded them that just as in Moses’ time, God was not controlled by man, but is Sovereign in His choice. If a man has his faith in God according to God’s will, God is gracious and merciful to that man. It is God’s choice, not man’s.

To continue in the Letter to the Romans –

b. Paul revealed God’s sovereign working. We note three things here –

1). The sovereign will of God declared. Romans 9:15

2). The sovereign will of God explained. Romans 9:16

a). It is not based on man’s desire.
b). It is not based on man’s activity.

Note John’s statement on the sovereign choice of God in the salvation of man.

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

3). The sovereign will of God illustrated. Romans 9:17,18

Whatever God chooses to do is right. God sets the standard of righteousness and holiness. We must always remember that our standard of right and wrong has been warped, not only by our natural inclination to sin because of our nature, but also through years of practicing sin. Men have no moral foundation from which we may condemn the will of God. We begin to realize this when we come to God for salvation, trusting in Him.

Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

a. Paul referred to God’s dealing with Moses as another explanation of the sovereign dealings of God with His creation. He quoted God’s word to Moses from Exodus 33:19.

1). Moses sought the Lord’s Person.

Exodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

2). Moses secured the Lord’s promise.

Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

God would be gracious to Moses, not because of in goodness in Moses, but because God chose to bless Him. Moses had no right to feel proud and righteous in the position he was in or in his interaction with God.

God had chosen Israel to be His nation, a people who would testify to the world of the only true God. While the people may have been called citizens of the nation of Israel, this was not a guarantee of their salvation. The relationship with God is personal, each individual having faith in Him. The people could not make a claim on God because they were Israelites. They must believe in Him, trusting Him for all things.
The Jews in Paul’s day were the same as many of the Jews in Moses’ time. They believed God owed them everything they wanted because of who they were, not whose they were! Paul reminded them that just as in Moses’ time, God was not controlled by man, but is Sovereign in His choice. If a man has his faith in God according to God’s will, God is gracious and merciful to that man. It is God’s choice, not man’s. (Jew or Gentile)

b. Paul revealed God’s sovereign working. We learn of –

1). The sovereign will of God explained. Romans 9:16

a). It is not based on man’s desire.
b). It is not based on man’s activity.

Note John’s statement on the sovereign choice of God in the salvation of man.

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

2). The sovereign will of God illustrated. Romans 9:17-24

I believe the best way to explain these verses is to illustrate them. The Lord is using Pharaoh as an example of His power over all men, to use them as He pleases, being Sovereign. He could have chosen to use Nebuchadnezzer, Cyrus, Darius the Mede or Pontius Pilate, but the Pharaoh was involved with Moses and fit the context of his account.
We note that two vessels are mentioned. One is a vessel unto honour or otherwise known as a vessel of mercy. The second is a vessel unto dishonor or also known as a vessel of wrath. In verse 21, Paul states that God (the potter) has power over both of these vessels. Paul also states that both of these vessels are formed from the same lump of clay. That lump of clay is dug from the same pit – condemnation. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”.

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The vessels, unto honour and unto dishonor are the same lump. The difference comes to the belief of the one vessel and the continuation in unbelief of the other. Simply stated, the vessel unto honour (the vessel of mercy, see verse verse 23) are those that have believed and become new creatures in Christ. They are those spoken of by Paul in Romans 10:13 “Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The vessels unto dishonor (vessels of wrath) are the whosoever will not. Read the many declarations of Paul through the leadership of the Holy Spirit explaining that the vessels of honour were at one time vessels of dishonour.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Colossians 3:5-7 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Titus 3:3-6 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

God in His sovereign wisdom gave man the choice to accept His love upon the moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives through His Word –“Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” It is quite apparent that He did not elect individuals to salvation and others to damnation. According to His infinite mercy and love wrought in conjunction with His holiness and justice, He sent His Son to give Himself a sacrifice acceptable to God. Salvation is all of Him –

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

C. He stated the Gentiles were included in God’s sovereign plan.
Romans 9:25-29

III. Paul reminded all that righteousness comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 9:30-33

Salvation is not dependent upon who your father is, but rather on Who your Lord is.

Section II
Romans Chapter 10

Remember from the last chapter – Paul’s purpose in this portion of the letter , chapters 9 through 11, is to show that God’s plan has not been altered. He is working according to His sovereign will , as He ever has. The setting aside of Israel and the inclusion of the Gentiles are not new revelations. The Lord has revealed these truths to His people by the prophets and Paul brings their testimony before the people.

I. Submission to the Law leads to submission to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:1-5

A. Israel’s need. Romans 10:1

1. His Passion – “…my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Refer again to 9:1-4

2. His Practice – He prayed for them and preached to them!

In Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth, Ephesus, Paul and the missionaries with him sought out the synagogues in the cities to first preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews. His love is seen in that though they persecuted him at every opportunity, and though at times he strongly rebuked them for their unbelief –

Acts 13:46-47 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

– He continued to go to them with the message of life everlasting. He is a true example of the definition of love he wrote to the Corinthians –

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

His love was illustrated in life by his practice. Remember, though, that love for your people is not enough. Paul had love for God first of all –

Philippians 1:20 “For me to live is Christ…”

And through that love, he loved his people – “…my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”

B. Israel’s nature. Romans 10:2-5

1. They were zealous. Romans 10:2a

Paul declared that they had a “zeal of God…”. Zeal can be exercised in both positive and negative ways.

a. The Zeal of Jesus: He was jealous for the holiness of His Father’s house.

He rebuked and removed those that opened a market in the Temple Court.

John 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

b. The Zeal of the Pharisees and Jewish leaders. They were ‘filled with indignation’ (Acts 5:17) and they were ‘filled with envy’ (Acts 13:45). They were jealous for their own power and position to be exalted.

Jesus was motivated by His passion for God and these Jews were driven by pride and arrogance!

2. They were proud. Romans 10:2b, 3

Paul understood their pride without excusing them –

Philippians 3 If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

They did not understand that the Law was not given to save them, but to separate them unto God and thereby, prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah –

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

3. They were ignorant of the truth. Romans 10:4,5 (willingly ignorant)

John 11:47-48 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

If they actually submitted to the Law they would submit to Jesus.

John 5:45-47 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Submission to God’s will through His Word will always lead to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith and trust.

II. Salvation is by faith through the Word of God. Romans 10:6-10

A. Failure to understand the truth. Romans 10:6,7

That which they need in order to know God’s will has been given to them! God has not only given His Word, but He is teaching the truth of the Word through the Holy Spirit which is in each believer!

John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

These that have come over the centuries and introduced new and special revelations from God that can only be understood and explained by them through special additional revelations to make the Word of God clear are just as these spoken of by Paul that are searching from someone to bring them more than what God has given them!

B. Faith comes by the revealed Word of God. Romans 10:8-10

III. Sufficient power to save all. Romans 10:11-21

The Grace of God can be –

A. Received. Romans 10:11-15
B. Rejected. Romans 10:16-21
God’s sovereign will was known and preached by the prophets.

Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Isaiah 65:1,2 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; (Romans 10:21)

Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

The Promise of God true. The Gentiles heard and believed! What will Israel do?

Section III
The Sovereign Choice of God
Romans Chapter 11

Preparatory study A – God’s Covenant with His Israel (The Elect Nation)

Paul again speaks of the sovereignty of God as seen in the outworking of His plan. The key to understanding chapter 11 is to recognize the difference between God’s dealing with Israel as a nation and His dealing with the individual Israelites.
God has a special relationship with the nation Israel that should be studied prior to continuing in Chapter 11.

God’s relationship and dealings with Israel.

He separated them from the world in Abraham and made a promise to Abraham that would effect all of mankind –

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Galatians 3:8-9 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I. He gave them an everlasting promise. Unconditional

Genesis 17:4-8 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

II. He Separated them unto Himself as His special people. Conditional

Exodus 19:3-8 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

III. He Set forth laws and observances.

A. The Law. Exodus 20 The Commandments
B. The offerings, sacrifices, and observances.

1. The offerings were given by faith.

Leviticus 1:1-4 And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

2. The offerings were given acknowledging God’s grace.

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein; That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there. And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the LORD thy God, that I am come unto the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us. And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God. And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous: And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage: And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression: And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders: And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey. And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God: And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.

IV. He Settled them in their own land. Willing submission to the Lord

Joshua 24:14-28 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel. And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.

V. He exhorted them to repent of their sinful ways. Isaiah 1:18; 53:1-12

Isaiah 59:1-4 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

VI. He sent them His Son. Matthew 10:5-7

Matthew 23:37-39 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

VII. He was rejected by His nation.

John 19:15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

VIII. He set aside Israel and is building His church. Matthew 27:51; 28:18-20

Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Preparatory Study B – Scriptural History of God’s Working with His Nation Israel

The Plan of God for His people, the Nation of Israel
I. The Promise to Israel as given by Moses in Leviticus 26
A. The exhortation to obedience. Leviticus 26:1-27
1. Obedience brings blessings Leviticus 26:1-6
2. Obstinance brings judgment. Leviticus 26:14,15,17
3. Opportunities to repent and submit to God. Leviticus 26:18,21,23,27
B. The Execution of Justice. Leviticus 26:33,38,39
C. The Everlasting promise. Leviticus 26:40-44
II. The Presumption of the Northern Tribes judged. 722 BC
A. The Removal of Israel.
2 Kings 17:22-23 For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.
B. The Repopulation of Samaria.
2 Kings 17:24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
III. The Prophecy to Judea and Jerusalem.
Prophecy approximately 740 BC, 18 years before the Northern tribes were carried away. Judea should have repented in sackcloth and ashes when they knew God had kept His promise of judgment on the Norther tribes. God had called Judea to Himself to reason out their situation –
A. He spoke with them to consider their position –
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

B. He spoke with them to consider His position –
Isaiah 5:1-7 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
The future of the people was sure unless they would repent –
Isaiah 5:13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
IV. The Patience of the Lord in giving Judea time for repentance and turning to Him. This is the beginning of what is called ‘The Times of the Gentiles’ spoken of by the Lord –
Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
These times will be fulfilled with the second coming of the Lord at the end of the Tribulation period.
A. The Captivity begun.
The date of Nebuchadnezzar’s capture of Judea is 605 BC. God had given His people 135 years to turn back to Him, but they refused. The prophecy of Isaiah (…my people are gone into captivity…) was fulfilled –
2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
Daniel 1:1-4 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Jeremiah 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
B. The Continued rebellion. 597 BC.
2 Kings 24:8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 24:10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
2 Kings 24:14 And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

2 Kings 24:17 And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father’s brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
C. The Complete destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. 586 BC
2 Kings 25:1-2 And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about. And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.
2 Kings 25:8-10 And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzar-adan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man’s house burnt he with fire. And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about.
V. The Permission given for the Jews to Return to Jerusalem.
The rhetorical question posed by the Apostle Paul in Romans 11:1 may be asked at this juncture in the history of the Nation of Israel and the answer that Paul gives in Romans 11:2 is applicable at this time also –
Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew…
Israelites who trusted God by faith were serving Him faithfully in the lands of their exile. The names of the faithful stand out in the history given by God – Daniel, Ezekiel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, Mordecai, Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah along with thousands of others whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
A. The first return. 538 BC
God gave clear prophetic instruction of His plan for His people. He had chosen the leader that He would use to permit the people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls of the city.
Isaiah 45:1-6 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
Isaiah’s ministry was from about 740 BC to 680 BC. Cyrus was born 599 BC, around 100 years after Isaiah prophesied that He would release the Jews and allow them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, which he did is 538 BC.
2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (KJV) Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.
The Lord put into the heart of men to return at this time. Ezra wrote of them –
Ezra 2:1-2 Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
B. The Second Return. 458 BC To continue to rebuild the Temple
Ezra 7:11-17 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel. Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee. Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellers, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellers have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem: That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
C. The Third return. 444 BC. Provision given to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 2:5-8 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it. And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah; And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
We have learned through God’s Word of the wonderful working of His sovereign will in giving men choices to make which will result in consequences, according to His instructions, of either blessings or curses.
Romans 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people?….
This is the beginning of the prophetic timetable by Daniel regarding the Nation of Israel.
Judea and Jerusalem were involved in the political events of the world under the control of Gentile nations. The Emperor of Rome ruled by placing men on the throne that would be loyal to Rome. The family of the Herods were not Israelites, but were Idumaeans, descended not from Jacob, but from Esau. Through all of this, God continued to work with His Nation –
Luke 1:26-33 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

An yet, Israel again rejected the Lord –
John 19:15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
While the Nation of Israel was not faithful to their promise –
Exodus 19:7-8 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
God is always faithful to His promise –
Genesis 17:7-8 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
The question asked and answered –
Romans 11:1 (KJV) I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

Upon Israel’s rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Nation (God’s elect) have been set aside. He has introduced the time of grace –
Romans 10:12-13 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans chapters 9-11 clearly reveal that God is not predestinating individuals to be saved or to be damned. He is revealing His plan with His elect Nation (Israel) and His elect people (Whosoever will, which includes all, Jews and Gentiles)

Will He continue to work with His nation Israel? The question answered –

Section IV
The Sovereignty of God
Romans Chapter 11

The previous study helped to prepared us for this lesson by showing the difference between Israel as a nation and Israelites as individuals which were included in that nation.
God is now building His church. He has set aside the nation of Israel, but is including in His church all individuals, Israelites and Gentiles, that will obey Him. God has appointed a day when His work building His church will be completed. At that day, He will again take up His work with the nation Israel. The Lord is using Paul to instruct all that He is working out His plan according to His sovereign will.

I. God’s grace. 11:1-6

A. The Apostle Paul’s testimony.

1. King Herod, religious leaders, and the nation rejected the Messiah.
2. Paul, an Israelite, accepted the Messiah. (Along with thousands of other Israelites)

B. The Prophet Elijah’s testimony.

1. King Ahab led Israel to reject God.
2. Seven thousand Israelites obeyed God. One of these was Elisha.
(Their faithfulness was not seen by Elijah but was known by God!)

Have they fallen to their complete destruction? No!
Have they fallen and been set aside? Yes.

II. God’s warning. 11:7-10

A. Israel could not attain to the righteousness which they sought.
1. They refused to obey God.
2. They tried to establish their own righteousness and have God approve it. Refer to 10:3

B. Israel had been warned that materialism would blind them to the truth of God. See Psalm 69:22-24

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:21-22)

III. God’s promise. 11:11-32

A. The Gentiles are blessed through Israel, both in their fall and in their restoration.. 11:11-16

Note: The nation Israel is defined by the works of the Law, Ordinances, and Sacrifices. The individual citizens of Israel were saved, not by keeping these works, but through faith in God. Without faith, their works were not acceptable to God.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

B. The Gentiles should humbly rejoice in God’s grace. 11:17-24

C. The nation of Israel will be restored. 11:25-32

IV. God’s preeminence. 11:33-36