Page 6 - March 2025 - Truth & Tidings

Read Romans 9:1-5 (Most unceasing grief in my heart” (NASB). In
Favoured Nation) verse 3, he proceeds to state, “For I could
wish that myself were accursed from
Romans 9-11 forms a distinct section Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen ac-
in the epistle; we usually describe it as a cording to the flesh.” Actually, the verb
1
parenthesis. In chapters 1-8, Paul taught “to wish” is in the imperfect tense in this
the doctrine of justification by faith and verse and would be more accurately trans-
all the benefits that come along with it. lated “I had wished …” Such was Paul’s
However, nationally, Israel rejected their burden for the salvation of his kinsmen
Messiah and had Him crucified. Does that there was a period of time when he
that mean that God has cancelled His would have gladly been accursed from
promise to Abraham and rejected Israel? Christ if it would result in Israel’s salva-
This is the question that Paul answers in tion. However, this could never be. But it
chapters 9-11. does indicate the depth of his burden for
It is important to see that in the Greek Israel. It is reminiscent of Moses, when
text the word for “Jew” appears nine Aaron made the golden calf, which Israel
times in chapters 1-8, but only twice in proceeded to worship. When Moses came
chapters 9-11, and not at all after chapter down from Mount Sinai, he sought to
11. On the other hand, the words “Israel” intercede on behalf of the nation before
and “Israelite” appear a total of fourteen God. “Moses returned unto the LORD,
times in chapters 9-11. These facts are and said, Oh, this people have sinned a
very important in interpreting these three great sin, and have made them gods of
chapters. When writing about Israelites or gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their
Israel, it is the nation as a whole that is the sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of
subject. When writing about the Jews, it thy book which thou hast written” (Exo
is individuals of that nation that are be- 32:31,32). God replied, “Whosoever hath
ing referred to. Thus, the overwhelming sinned against me, him will I blot out of
theme of chapters 9-11 is Israel nationally. my book” (v33). In Psalm 49:7 we read,
Paul commences chapter 9 by express- “None of them can by any means redeem
ing his grief for the nation of Israel. He 1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV
states in verse 2, “I have great sorrow and unless otherwise noted.

70 TRUTH kTidings March 2025