One of the great things about being retired is having the opportunity to study more. I enjoy reading commentaries on the Bible passages I’m studying. Today’s Bible passage isn’t a current scholar’s commentary; instead, it’s Paul’s commentary on the Old Testament, applied to his time and circumstances.
Hosea wrote in the 8th century BC, during a time when Israel had turned away from God and aligned themselves with the idols of neighboring nations.
Paul quotes Hosea’s message containing God’s judgment and redemption of the nation.
As indeed he says in Hosea,
“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
“And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they shall be called children of the living God” (Romans 9.25-26).
Whether in 1st century Rome or 2024, Paul’s message remains relevant. When we turn our backs on God, He cannot acknowledge us as His own. However, His grace draws us to a place of trust in Him, where we discover that we are both beloved, His people and children.
Interpreting Isaiah
Isaiah pointed out that even an ox or a donkey knows its master, but Israel had become so corrupt that they no longer recognized God. As a result, God brought judgment upon them, nearly as tragic as that of Sodom and Gomorrah (See Isaiah 1).
And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the children of Israel were like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved;
For the Lord will execute his sentence on the earth quickly and decisively.”
And as Isaiah predicted,
“If the Lord of hosts had not left survivors to us,
we would have fared like Sodom
and been made like Gomorrah” (Romans 9.27-29).
In one of our YouTube videos, Rudy Ross mentioned that Rome had a population of about a million people. The early church in Rome may have had around 200 members. When you compare 200 to a million, it seems like only a small remnant has survived.
Those hearing Paul’s letter to the Romans for the first time would have recognized an important truth: they are part of that remnant, called to work with God for His purposes.
God’s Cornerstone
Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of being the foundation stone and the stone that can be stumbled over (Isaiah 28:16 and 8:14).
What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith;
But Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law.
Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
As it is written,
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame” (Romans 9.30-33).
As in other parts of the Book of Romans, Paul challenges the pride of both Gentiles and Jews. The Gentiles weren’t actively seeking God’s salvation, yet God granted it to them through faith.
On the other hand, the Jews tried to establish their righteousness through the law, but due to the weakness of the flesh and the power of sin, they failed.
Both groups experienced God’s grace through faith.
Spiritual Pride
When I was a child, I attended a children’s Bible camp. The preacher placed a silver dollar in four different spots on the platform and announced, “Anyone who wants one can come and get it.”
Everyone hesitated until one brave little boy ran up and grabbed his. Soon after, three other children quickly claimed theirs.
Salvation is like that. It is freely given to us because of God’s love. There’s no pride in receiving something we didn’t earn or work for—only gratitude.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 