Old and New Promises
Romans 9:1-13
📖 Scripture
1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—
2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race,
4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.
5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”
8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.
9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.
11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:
12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
📝 Scripture Summary
Paul expresses sorrow for the people of Israel, who have all the privileges of being God’s people yet do not believe. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. God’s children are those counted through His promise. Paul refers to God choosing Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau to show God’s purpose depends on His mercy rather than human effort.
💡 Memory Verse
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
– Romans 8:18
🔎 Reflection
Sorrow for the Unsaved (9:1–5)
Paul is filled with great sorrow and anguish about the many Jews who do not believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah. He wishes for their salvation so much that he would be willing to be cut off from Christ just so that they would believe. Like Paul, let us also grieve and intercede on behalf of those who have not yet put their trust in the only One who saves—the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray that they, too, would embrace the rich heritage that has been offered to us through the new covenant, enabling all of God’s people to rejoice as they share in the blessings of the Old Testament, while enjoying the promises and protections of the New Testament.
Reread verse 4 and meditate on each blessing that God has offered to all of His people. Pray for someone you greatly desire to come to know Jesus as Messiah.
God’s Unfailing Promises (9:6–13)
Paul makes clear that God’s promises have not failed and that becoming a part of God’s people is not based on being a physical descendant of Abraham. Isaac was a child of promise, and God kept His promise when He declared that Sarah would have a son. Isaac himself had twins, but even before they were born, God told Rebekah that the older son would serve the younger. This determination was not based on anyone’s works but on God’s purpose and promises. This is a word of assurance to us. Paul points to these historical examples to show that God is in control and that He is faithful to His word. He will fulfill all of His promises to His children.
What promises has God fulfilled in your life? Think about the fact that God’s purposes and promises will stand regardless of anyone’s works.
🌟 Today’s Inspiration
“Brothers and sisters, know your covenant. Cherish your new covenant. In Christ, you are under a new covenant. Not renewed, not tweaked, not updated, not expanded. It is new. It is another covenant. Old has gone; new has come.”
– David Mathis
🙏 Prayer
Dear God, when I reflect on Your manifold blessings available to me through the Old and New Testament, I am filled with great joy and find great rest. I pray for those around me to also put their faith in You so that they can experience this joy as well. In Jesus’ name, amen.
🖋 Essay — The God of Covenant
My wife would like for us to have another marriage ceremony in which we re-affirm our vows, perhaps at the ten-year mark (we are over six years in). She likes the idea of standing before others and reiterating promises and the act of re-stamping our lifelong commitment to each other.
Her idea reminds me that God created us with an innate desire to commit to one another. We were meant to make promises to each other, whether in marriage, family, church, or friendship. This trait is further elucidated when we consider that God made us in His image. God is the One who longs to make promises and display His commitment to His people. For this reason, He kept His promises to His people throughout the Old Testament—from Adam to Noah to Abraham to David to the people of Israel.
When a promise is broken, especially a covenantal one, it is within the injured party’s rights to nullify the agreement and move on. How often could God have cast Israel aside! How easily could God have poured out wrath upon you and me! Yet, as the covenants of old were broken, our God only doubled and tripled His commitment, enacting the new covenant, forever sealing it in the body and blood of Jesus. Hallelujah! Because our God is covenantal, we can rest assured that all His promises are true, and we can live with deep confidence that His commitment to us will never spoil, perish, or fade.
Written by Bob Koo
