Romans 9-11 is one of the Bible’s hidden treasures. Many Christians know Paul’s exposition of the gospel in chapters 1-8 in crisp detail, and likewise have explored deeply the application section of the letter which concludes the book from chapters 12-16. But chapters 9-11 can seem at first glance somewhat dense, and a little distant. 

 

Coming off the wonderful highs of Romans chapter 8, Romans chapter 9 feels on first encounter like a spanner in the works. Paul is filled with grief and sorrow as he considers why such a small number of his fellow Israelites have accepted their Messiah. His heart breaks for them. But even more than this, Israel’s unbelief raises some important questions – Can God be trusted? Has he given up on his people? Might he give up on me? Or as chapter 9:6 puts it – has God’s word failed?

 

These are important questions to wrestle with – for if we are to put our lives in the hands of the Lord we want to know that he is indeed trustworthy! And as we journey with Paul through these important chapters we are brought face to face with the wondrous wisdom of the Lord who has graciously exercises his sovereign mercy in ways that are above and beyond our ways. We are humbled as we come to understand that God is God, and we are not while also being reminded that God is in fact perfectly faithful, utterly trustworthy and deserving of our praise.