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• LESSON 15 (July 27) • Romans 9:1-33 Is There Injustice on God’s Part? In Acts 9, Luke tells the story of Saul’s conversion. Before the end of the chapter, certain Jews were plotting to kill Saul (9:23). In Acts 14, Jews from Antioch and Iconium stoned Paul, drug him out of the city of Lystra, supposing that he was dead (14:19). In Acts 17, Jews who were jealous of Paul took “some wicked men of the rabble,” formed a mob, and set the city of Thessalonica in an uproar (17:5). Paul knew all too well what it was to be at odds with his fellow descendants of Abraham. And yet, Paul would not shrink back from or stop proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Eph 3:1-6) In Romans 9-11, Paul specifically focuses in on what the revelation of this mystery now means for Israel. I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. (9:1-3) How would you summarize the feeling of many unbelieving Jews towards Paul? Why did they feel the way that they did? How would you summarize what Paul is saying about his kinsmen in Romans 9:4-5? What do these phrases mean? They are Israelites – To them belong the adoption – To them belong the glory – To them belong the covenants – To them belong the giving of the law – To them belong the worship – To them belong the promises – To them belong the patriarchs – From their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ – Where, then, is the breakdown? But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named” (9:6-7) Note See the attached complete Lesson 15 plan for the rest.