God’s Word Stands

Romans 9:6-13
[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.”

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What does it mean that God is faithful? What practical effect does this have on our lives?
2.   What is the problem/difficulty that Paul addresses as he enters chapter 9? Why does it seem to call God’s faithfulness into question?
3.   Where else in the New Testament do we find the idea that “not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring”? How does this passage give us the concept of “true Israel”?
4.   What was the false fortress of comfort that many Jews in Paul’s day had constructed? Where do we see a similar mindset today?
5.   How does Paul describe God’s choice of Jacob over Esau as unconditional? How does election serve Paul’s larger point that God’s Word has not failed?

References: 2 Corinthians 1:18-20; Deuteronomy 4:7-8; 7:6; Matthew 3:9-10; John 8:39-40, 44; Romans 2:17, 28-29; 4:12; 1:17; Genesis 17:21; 18:10, 14; 25:23; Malachi 1:2, 3; Ephesians 1:11.