Friday, 3 October 2025

Romans part 114 - One in Messiah 3

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Romans 9:3b-5 - my own flesh and blood, who are Israelites. To them belong the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Torah and the Temple service and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs - and from them, according to the flesh, the Messiah, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.

As Maxwell Smart used to say, "This close." Paul is describing how close Israelites are to God and expressing why it would be a shame for them to be left out of God's plan to save the world. As he is expressing his own heart for Jewish people to have a relationship with the Jewish Messiah, is he also expressing your heart?

Paul offers eight reasons for Jewish inclusion in the family of God. The ancient Israelites (and by heritage Jewish people today) already have ... Romans 3:1a,2a Then what is the advantage of being Jewish? Much in every way. Let's take a look at these eight claims, one at a time.

ADOPTION: Are Jewish people adopted into God's family? What do we read in the Torah? Deuteronomy 14:2 For you are a holy people to Adonai your God - from all the peoples on the face of the earth, Adonai has chosen you to be His treasured people. (Deut 7:6 too) This is a theme found throughout the Scriptures. Psalm 135:4 For Adonai has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel as His treasured possession.

Rabbi Trail: Sibling rivalry is such a curse. Jewish "adoption" (natural branches) does not negate non-Jewish (grafted in) inclusion. We'll get to this soon, but for now, read the context of this warning ... Romans 11:18a do not boast against the branches. End RT.

GLORY: The question to answer here is, "Does God value Israel?" The essence of "Doxa" (Greek for "glory") is assigning value. Again, this has to do with being chosen. God did not choose Israel by works, but by grace. Is there still an opportunity for Jewish people to repent and receive the Lord? Is there any other people excluded from God's plan of salvation? Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says Adonai - the One who created you, O Jacob, the One who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are Mine. That's just the first verse. Read the whole chapter to get the full understanding of God's commitment to the people He loves.

There are six more reasons Paul gives for the inclusion of Israel into the family of God. Let's pick this up again next time. We'll close today with one more note ... I trust you are a RR subscriber and faithful reader of this blog because you already love Israel and have a God-given unction to value Jewish people. Paul wants us to agree with him that Jewish people belong in the kingdom of God. Let's pray for practical applications for these lofty principles. Shalom shalom.