Romans 9:27-29 - 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Unlough the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved; 28 for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, thoroughly and quickly.” 29 And just as Isaiah foretold, “Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left to us a posterity, We would have become like Sodom, and would have resembled Gomorrah.”
Message: The remnant remains.
Time: Romulus founded ancient Rome about 753 BC. By 600 BC it had become a wealthy, flourishing city with a monarch. Around 500 BC, the monarch was overthrown. A republic resulted and after war, Rome became the only great power in the Mediterranean, succeeding the empire of Alexander the Great. Before and after the birth of Christ, Rome's dominion continued to expand to about two thirds the size of the continental US. At the time Paul wrote, Rome had a population of about 1,000,000. Most were slaves. It was a vast empire, but had many religions present. It is unknown how the church started in Rome, but Gentiles and Jews both were involved. Paul was writing to address a problem, but he wanted to be there and perhaps, make Rome his base for his missionary journey's
What the Lord is Saying:
The key word here is "remnant" in verse 27. Paul is taking a quotation from Isaiah 10:22, " For though your people, O Israel, may be like the sand of the sea, a remnant within them will return; A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness." However, from what I have read, Paul is not quoting from the Hebrew, but from the Greek version of this verse for the phrase, "A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness" has been excluded here by Paul. The focus though, I think Paul is making here, is that not everyone who is of Israel will return or be saved or escape judgment.
We turn our focus toward God and trust Him for outcomes. Paul is speaking to Jews though (and Gentiles) in Rome. But, I think he just wants to make another point that God chooses. God determines. God is sovereign. God knows. I don't think Paul is saying that the door is closed on the Jew or those of Israel. But, he is saying that there are some that will be saved and some that will not be saved.
In verse 28, we can also look at Isaiah 10:23 which says, "For a complete destruction, one that is decreed, the Lord God of hosts will execute in the midst of the whole land."
The comfort that I can receive from all of these verses is God has a purpose. He has a plan. And I can trust Him for that plan and that purpose. God will work. He execute his plan on the earth. It is also amazing that this is seen to be thorough and quick. As I age and get older, life gets quicker. Life is on a sprint at the moment and I think it will continue.
I need to not get focused on the outcome, but remain focused on the repentance. I need to remain focused on acknowledging my sin before God and coming before Jesus and asking forgiveness. I recognize that Jesus is the healer. He is the One. I can trust in Him. He leads me to God and takes me there by His life. That is the focus of my days.
Promise: Through the Lord's mercy, a remnant of His followers will remain. All Sin. All Loved. All called. A remnant remains.
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