1. What then is the condition of the nation of Israel to this “glorification” (Romans 8:30) and followers of Christ being “more than conquerors?” (Romans 8:37). One can nearly hear the sorrow in Paul’s voice and see the tears running down his eyes as he says, “I could wish that I myself were __________________ and ___________ _________ from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3). And they were so blessed! God had given them eight special blessings that should have led them to salvation (Romans 9:4-5):

* ________________________

* ________________________

* ________________________

* ________________________

* ________________________

* ________________________

* ________________________

* ________________________

2. Surely these blessings would be enough to get them saved wouldn’t they? Paul makes a point that all Israelites would understand: “It is not the children of the ______________ who are the children of God, but the children of the _______________” (Romans 9:8). Every Israelite could tell you that not all of Abraham’s children were part of the promise, this fell to Isaac’s descendants and not to Ishmael (Romans 9:7; see Genesis 15, 16, and 17). Even all of Isaac’s descendents were not chosen. _____________, one of Isaac’s children was chosen, but not ________________ (Romans 9:10-13; see Genesis 25, 26 and 27).

3. The question of justice then comes up, that is, “Isn’t God being unjust if He chooses whom he will accept?” (Romans 9:14). The answer to this question is “By no means!” For the power of this phrase, see notes on Romans 6:2. God has told His people, “I will have ______________ on whom I have mercy, and I will have ____________________ on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15). This is to say that God has a right, as Creator, to set His own standards of mercy and compassion! As an example of this, Pharaoh was raised up for a specific purpose, “…that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Romans 9:17).

4. The question that arises is “Why does God have the right to decide where mercy will and will not be?” The answer is found in knowing who is the potter and who is the clay! (Romans 9:20-21). God has been patient with the Israelite nation (Jews) because He was “…desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power” (Romans 9:22-23). He was preparing for a time in which He would be calling people, both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 9:24). Remember, it was “at the ___________ _______________ Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).

5. The fact that God would call the Gentiles to be a part of his people should not have been a surprise. The Jewish prophets had stated that this would happen. Hosea had said in Hosea 2:23 that “those who were ___________ my people I will call ‘my people.’” He also said “the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘_____________ of the living God’” (Hosea 1:10). Isaiah had warned, “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the _____________ of the sea, only a remnant will be saved” (Romans 9:27; compare Isaiah 10:22). He also predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah” (Romans 9:29; compare Isaiah 1:9). These are a few examples from many Old Testament passages that would show those familiar with them that God had larger plans than just the Israelite nation.

6. What does this show to anyone who takes the time to study it? Simply, what has been said before: “the Gentiles who did not pursue ______________________ have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith” (Romans 9:30; see Romans 1:18-32 and compare Romans 1:16-17) and “that Israel who pursued a ___________ that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law” (Romans 9:31; see Romans 21-29 and compare Romans 1:16-17). This was “because they did not pursue it by ____________, but as if it were based on ________________” (Romans 9:32).

7. The result of their pursuit of law as a means to righteousness was that the Jews stumbled over “the ________________ stone” (Romans 9:32, cf. I Corinthians 1:22-24). This was predicted by Isaiah in Isaiah 28:16 and the Psalmist in Psalm 118:22-23. Jesus applied this description to Himself in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10-11, and Luke 20:17. Peter applies it to Jesus in Acts 4:11 and in I Peter 2:4-8.