Parameters and Predictions
Notes
Transcript
Parameters of Salvation (vv 11-18)
Parameters of Salvation (vv 11-18)
The Jews of this time rejected the idea that Gods grace extended to Gentiles.
They still felt that their way to righteousness was the right way.
Notice I said righteousness not salvation.
They thought righteousness and being right with the law was what lead to salvation.
(Remember Paul saying he was righteous in the Law)
They were willingly ignorant of the full measure and extent of His provision for redemption.
They knew that Ruth was a Moabite, who was not jewish.
But yet she was the great grandmother of David and therefore in the line of the Messiah.
But yet they insisted that such Gentiles who converted to Judaism and were blessed by God were exceptions that proved the rule.
We see in some of His other books that this was not just a problem in Rome. Paul had to teach other churches in other places to stop teaching salvation in Christ was followed by adherence to the law and circumcision.
The early chruch leaders including most of the apostles and a big meeting in Jerusalem about this called the Jerusalem council.
It was about whether or not circumcision and adherence to the Law were required after baptism.
See God has always been calling to Gentiles Isa 28:16
16 therefore thus says the Lord God,
“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion,
a stone, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:
‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
Israel was to have been His witness to the nations. Ex 19:6
6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
From eternity past, Gods word invariably has accomplished HIs divine goal, which has always included His loving and gracious desire that no human being would perish but that all would come to repentance 2 Pet 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
The barrier to salvation, therefore, is not racial or cultural but comes down to personal rejection of the God who offers it.
People perish because they refuse to receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 2 Thess 2:10
10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
The Predictions of Scripture (vv 19-21)
The Predictions of Scripture (vv 19-21)
Paul shows how Israel was ignorant of the predictions of their own Scriptures, a truth implied throughout the the previous part of this chapter.
In this case ignorant means not aware of the truth or that you make a decision with only half the information.
However their ignorance was not based on lack of truth it was based not the fact that they did not care.
They wandered away from God because they thought their ways were better than His.
God called Abraham and his descendants in order that the whole earth shall be blessed. Gen 12:3
3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Here in v19 Paul uses a verse from Deut 32:21 to show that salvation was always meant for everyone even as far back as Moses.
21 They have made me jealous with what is no god;
they have provoked me to anger with their idols.
So I will make them jealous with those who are no people;
I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Gods blessing of the Gentiles who believe in Him would make His chosen people jealous and angry.
Also here in verse 20 Paul uses a verse from the book of Isaiah to remind the readers of what God said about their disbelief. Isa 65:1
1 I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;
I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, “Here I am, here I am,”
to a nation that was not called by my name.
Through Moses who represented the law and through Isaiah who represented the prophets Paul firmly established that Israels rejection of her Messiah came as no surprise to God.
It was predicted that, because of their rejection, God would be found by Gentiles who had not sought Him and would manifest Himself to those Gentiles who did not ask for Him.
What monumental and tragic failure! Unbelieving Jews misunderstood and rejected God, Jesus Christ, and saving faith because of their self-righteousness, and they misunderstood the extent of salvation because of their proud prejudice.
They therefore failed as Gods witness to the nations.