Romans 9:25-26 - Homiletics

A great reversal

Whether the original reference of the prophet here quoted was to the "ten tribes" or to the Gentile world is, for our purposes, immaterial, since it is unquestionable that the Apostle Paul employs the quotation to illustrate and, in a sense, to prove his contention—that it is the purpose of him, who is Eternal Wisdom and Unchanging Righteousness, to transfer privilege and blessing from those who considered themselves to possess an ancestral claim to them, unto those who had usually been regarded as aliens and reprobate—even the "sinners of the Gentiles." If this phase of Divine action has to some extent lost its interest for us, the principle which it illustrates is ever important.

I. THE HIGHLY FAVOURED AND PRIVILEGED MAY ABUSE THEIR ADVANTAGES , AND MAY LOSE THEM . Consider the case of the Hebrews.

1. Their special prerogatives in the possession of religious knowledge and means of spiritual improvement.

2. Their rebellion and apostasy in yielding in the earlier periods of their history to temptations to idolatry.

3. Their frequent chastisement, especially in the Captivity in the East, and in their subsequent national humiliations.

4. The repetition of their insensibility and disobedience in the rejection of Jesus, the true Messiah.

5. The final catastrophe which overtook the nation, in the destruction of Jerusalem, and in the dispersion of the people throughout the earth.

II. THE LESS FAVOURED MAY BE , IN GOD 'S PROVIDENCE , EXALTED TO PRIVILEGE , AND , BY A RIGHT USE OF IT , MAY BECOME PARTAKERS OF PRICELESS SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS . Consider the case of the Gentiles.

1. The publication of the gospel to them by St. Paul upon its rejection by his own fellow-countrymen.

2. The acceptance by many of the glad tidings intended for the enlightenment and salvation of men.

3. The position taken by Gentile converts in the diffusion of Christianity.

4. The consequent conversion of the Roman empire to the faith of Jesus of Nazareth.

5. And the course of the history of Christendom, which may all be traced to the operation of this wonderful principle.

APPLICATION .

1. They act foolishly who rely upon their privileges.

2. They are wise who, grateful for privileges, are concerned so to use them that they may not lose them, so to use them that they may become the vehicles of the highest spiritual blessing to themselves and to those associated with them, over whom their influence may extend.

3. They who are cast down because their circumstances seem unfavourable should not forget that the people who were " not God's people" became " his people," " beloved, " " children of the living God."