Romans 9:6-13

Israel was in trouble.  She was not the nation as promised to Abraham. She was under Roman authority.  Jesus had predicted that soon there would be a time of unprecedented difficulty for Israel, to be fulfilled in 70AD in her destruction (Luke 19:41-44; 20:9-19; 21:20-24; 23:26-31).  

What brought this calamity on Israel?  We have noted Paul did not say this because of some bias against Israel; he loved his countrymen (9:1-3).  Nor could it be said that God had not blessed Israel mightily (9:4-5).  Rom. 9:6-29 make it clear that it was not God’s fault either.  As v6 says: “it is not that the word of God has taken no effect.”  

Here is Paul’s argument in Rom. 9.  First, he makes his point concerning God’s choice of Israel (v6-13).  Then he considers one potential objection asking, “Is there unrighteousness with God?” (v14-18).  Then he considers a second objection, asking “Why does He still find fault?” (v19-29).

Had God’s promise failed?  The argument of some would be like this: God chose Israel; through unbelief Israel rejected God’s choice; therefore God was not able to do for Israel what He had intended.  This issue was raised in Israel’s earliest days.  Moses pleaded with God to spare Israel lest the Egyptians mock God saying He was able to bring them out of Egypt but could not get them into the promised land (Num. 14:15-16).  At Ai Joshua prayed lest the Canaanites similarly mock God’s inability to keep His word (Josh. 7:8-9).  Even God raised the issue in “The Song of Moses” predicting a future time when in His anger He would destroy Israel were it not that the nations would glory as if it was their doing (Deut. 32:26-27).

Paul’s argument is that those who think like this forget that “they are not all Israel who are of Israel” (9:6).  Just because thousands rebelled and died in the wilderness did not mean God failed to keep His word.  The nation was still brought in after 40 years, after the older generation died.  Paul illustrates his point in showing how God chose Abraham to receive the covenant promise; but this choice did not benefit Ishmael but only Isaac only.  Likewise God chose Isaac, a choice that did not benefit Esau but only Jacob.

There are strong words, especially in v13 (Mal. 1:2-3).  But remember: this is not about the salvation of either Ishmael or Esau.  Ishmael may or may not have followed his father’s God (and his mother’s, Gen. 16).  We see that Esau rejected God, but it was Esau’s choice who “sold his birthright” and “found no place for repentance” (Heb. 12:15-17).  God made a covenant with one nation, not because they were better (Rom. 9:11), but because of His love and purpose (Deut. 7:6-8).  

Paul believed what God said of Himself: “He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deut. 7:9).  Israel’s failure was not God’s fault!