God's Timing
Romans 9:6-13
God's timing is not only perfect, it is revelatory.
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#timing
#narrative
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Published August 16th, 2016; Updated August 19th, 2016
Meditation on Timing
Phrase
Meditation on Timing
God's timing is not only perfect, it is revelatory. One place we learn this is from Romans 9:6-13. Paul is demonstrating how God's word does not fail. Sure, if you cherry pick passages, you will see what seems to be contradictions and failed promises; but read the whole story and you will find faithfulness at a depth you have never imagined. This is exactly what Paul is doing in this text, pointing to two stories from Genesis that shed light on the tension he has raised in verses 1-5. The tension: How can it be that Israel was chosen and granted unspeakable promises, but now corporately find themselves cut-off from God? The answer: not all Israelites belong to true Israel; instead, the children of God are established via election through his promise. And the original establishment of the people of Israel backs this up—particularly the chronology and timing. This is most pronounced in verses 10-12. Paul's point is rooted in the simple fact that Rebekah was told that her older twin would serve the younger, contrary to custom and nature. Why is that significant? Because she was told this before the twins were even born! This was not in response to the worthiness of Jacob over Esau. No, this promise rested upon the electing purpose of God alone. That is, God promised his favor for Jacob at this time to demonstrate this favor originates entirely in the gracious character of God, and in no way in the desert of Jacob. The sovereign grace of God —few doctrines are grander. And here, the solid foundation of this theology is discovered in the careful observation of the timing in biblical narrative!
notes
Phrase
NT
Romans 9:6-13
esv
But it is not
as though the word ... has failed.
Content
of God
Possessive
For not all ... belong to Israel,
Negative
who are descended
from Israel
Source
and not all are children
Explanation
of Abraham
Relationship
because they are his offspring,
Ground
but ... shall your offspring be named.”
“Through Isaac
Context
This means
that it is not the children
of the flesh
Producer
who are the children
of God,
but the children ... are counted
of the promise
as offspring.
For this is
what the promise said:
“About this time next year
Temporral
I will return,
and Sarah shall have a son.”
Result
And not only so,
[but] also when Rebekah had conceived children
Temporal
by one man,
Agency
our forefather Isaac,
though they were not yet born
and had done nothing either good
Inference
or bad—
in order that God’s purpose ... might continue,
Purpose
of election
Objective
not because of works
but because of him
who calls—
but she was told,
“The older will serve the younger.”
As it is written,
“Jacob I loved,
but Esau I hated.”
phrasing
Comments
Hugh
Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.