July 27, 2018
Have Mercy!
Romans 9:9-20
Dorothy Kite-Powell
Central Truth
Salvation is God's free gift of grace and mercy that depends on Him from start to finish.
Romans 9:9-20
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, 1 9:16 Greek not of him who wills or runs 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.
19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”
Dive Deeper | Romans 9:9-20
God is sovereign over all. Isaiah 46:9b-10 says, ". . . for I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient time things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" God has the rightful authority, power, freedom, and wisdom to bring about everything He intends to happen.
In the key verses today, Romans 9:10-13, Isaac's wife, Rebekah, is pregnant with twin sons. She is told that the older son will serve the younger son, which indicates Jacob will receive God's promise. Paul directly quotes portions of Genesis 25:23 and Malachi 1:2-3 to show the reader the truth of the story and magnify the fact that God foretold the stories of both Jacob and Esau.
God's decision to bless Jacob was made before Esau and he were born and before they could do anything good or bad. God has an eternal purpose for choosing Jacob, and Paul explains that He was fulfilling that purpose, even though we may not understand.
In Romans 9:14-20, Paul poses hypothetical questions about God's nature because he anticipates the reader's response to what may seem like an unfair selection of Jacob and scorn for Esau. Paul wants us to grasp that God has foreknowledge and plans for everyone's life, but He is also just and full of mercy and compassion.
Understanding God's grace and mercy is key to understanding salvation. Grace is defined as unmerited favor. God blesses us with the gift of salvation even though we do not deserve it and cannot earn it. Mercy is deliverance from judgment. God does not condemn us even though we are sinners.
Why do we ALL need salvation? Because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23); and "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus, our Lord" (Romans 6:23). The best part is that "God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
This month's memory verse
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
– Romans 8:11
Discussion Questions
1. In Romans 9:11, what does the phrase, “not because of works but because of Him who calls,” mean for our salvation? How is this significant to you?
2. What principle is referenced in Romans 9:15? Does this refer to eternal salvation?
3. According to verse 18, upon whom does God have mercy and compassion? Is this determined conditionally or unconditionally?