Romans 9:6-29
The story of Israel, from Abraham to the exile, displays God's justice in judgment and mercy
1) This extended passage divides into three parts, each of which are introduced by a question. What are the three questions? Compare this to Romans 3:3-7.
2) In 9:6, Paul says that it can't be that God's word has failed. How might bringing Gentiles into God's family through Jesus have made the Jews wonder if God's promises to them had failed?
3) What conclusion does Paul draw in verses 6-13 about how people do and don't become children of God?
4) In verses 14-18, Paul continues his review of the history of Israel with Moses' encounter with Pharaoh and Israel's Exodus from Egypt. Why is this story in Exodus significant to Paul's argument and how does it answer the second question?
5). What is the implicit reasoning behind the question in verse 19 (what does the “so” or “then” refer to)?
6). What prophetic images are Paul invoking in verse 20? How does the image of the potter and the clay explain God’s attitude towards sinful Israel and the purpose he had for it to be a blessing to the nations?
7) Who are the “vessels of mercy/objects of mercy” (verse 23) and what does it mean to be a vessel of mercy?
8) How do verses 25-29 also emphasize Paul’s point that God is faithful to the promises he made to Israel?
9) God has to reshape Israel because of its failure to live out the purposes for which it had been called, much like a potter re-shaping clay. The church has also been called to a purpose in the world. What is that purpose and how well is the church living this out?
2) In 9:6, Paul says that it can't be that God's word has failed. How might bringing Gentiles into God's family through Jesus have made the Jews wonder if God's promises to them had failed?
3) What conclusion does Paul draw in verses 6-13 about how people do and don't become children of God?
4) In verses 14-18, Paul continues his review of the history of Israel with Moses' encounter with Pharaoh and Israel's Exodus from Egypt. Why is this story in Exodus significant to Paul's argument and how does it answer the second question?
5). What is the implicit reasoning behind the question in verse 19 (what does the “so” or “then” refer to)?
6). What prophetic images are Paul invoking in verse 20? How does the image of the potter and the clay explain God’s attitude towards sinful Israel and the purpose he had for it to be a blessing to the nations?
7) Who are the “vessels of mercy/objects of mercy” (verse 23) and what does it mean to be a vessel of mercy?
8) How do verses 25-29 also emphasize Paul’s point that God is faithful to the promises he made to Israel?
9) God has to reshape Israel because of its failure to live out the purposes for which it had been called, much like a potter re-shaping clay. The church has also been called to a purpose in the world. What is that purpose and how well is the church living this out?