A Life in Exile

Have you ever longed for someone to be saved? Maybe they were a dear friend or family member. Their rejection of Christ made your heart hurt. I’ve felt that, and I know God has felt it. In the end, God knows the heart of man, and he knows those who will ultimately accept or reject his Son. We don’t know what God knows, so we keep praying, sharing, and living out our faith to draw others to him.

Paul understood the concept of God’s sovereignty and election, but it didn’t make the hurt in his heart for his own people any easier. The ninth through eleventh chapters of the book of Romans give us great insight into this difficult issue, and as we’ve seen in previous New Testament passages, in order to understand God’s ways, we must go back in time and history—we must go back to the Old Testament.

Anguish and Reality

Paul was so hurt over the rejection of his fellow Jews to the Good News of Christ, that he told the believers in Rome that he was willing to be cut off from Christ for their sake. He knew that wasn’t possible, but it showed the depth of his despair over the lostness of Israel. What was hindering his people from accepting Christ? Their sense of entitlement as God’s chosen people. They had it all, the heritage, patriarchy, and a direct line to the Messiah, but they were missing one thing—faith.

Paul wanted them to see that God doesn’t work like that. Our position or status is not what guarantees our salvation. He takes an example from family life to illustrate his point.

And not only that, but Rebekah conceived children through one man, our father Isaac. For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand—not from works but from the one who calls—she was told, The older will serve the younger.

Romans 9:10-13 (Quoting Genesis 25:23)

God’s Selection Is Just

Much like the eldest son in the parable of the Prodigal Son, Esau would live by the assumption of his right as the firstborn son. Though twins, Esau was the heir simply for getting out first. Jacob may have been hanging onto his heel, but Esau still won. Yet, in the Kingdom of God, the first is not automatically first. God has something to say about the matter.

What had been foretold to Rebekah by the Lord while she was still pregnant would come to pass—the older would serve the younger. Instead of living by faith, Esau lived by his emotions and desires, taking his rights as heir for granted, thus opening the door for Jacob (with Rebekah’s urging) to take advantage and gain the upper hand.

While this family’s story is sad, the point it provides for Paul’s illustration is sure. Position and entitlement have no place in God’s Kingdom. He is seeking the meek, the humble in heart, the pure in faith. The last shall be first.

Israel Will Be Humbled

We know that what Paul desired, God too desires—for all Israel to be saved. Though many have rejected the Messiah, God is using this time to graft in the nations. It’s not only Israel he desires as his own but the Gentiles as well. Yet, a day is coming when Israel will have one final chance to turn to Christ, but it will not come at an easy price, but at their humiliation in the tribulation.

What Esau refused, Israel will ultimately accept, not by their entitlement as God’s Chosen People, but as the reality hits that Jesus was truly their Messiah all along. When they get it, they will run to him, humbled and full of faith.

Oh, how much easier it will be for those who choose him now.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Learning from the Past post, click HERE, or start the series from the BEGINNING.