The Two Israels
Rom 9:6-9 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." (Gen 21:12) In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son." (Gen 18:14)
There are two senses in which the New Testament speaks of "Jews" or "Israel". Note from verse 4 that Paul speaks of Israel incorporating all Israelites, both believers and non-believers. Yet a number of places it speaks of Israel as that which incorporates only believers. "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God." Gal 6:15-16 In which case, "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God." Rom 2:28,29
With regards to Sarah and Hagar Paul elsewhere writes, "it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: 'Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.' Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise." Gal 4:22-28 Unbelieving Jews are reckoned much like Ishmael, Abraham's son through the slave women Hagar. In fact Arab Muslims view themselves quite literally in that manner, and they're right. But in fact both unbelieving Jew and Muslims are in this same category. While believers, both among Jews and Gentiles, are reckoned sons of the promise as if sons of Abraham through Isaac.
Jesus said of the unbelieving Jews, "If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham." John 8:39 And recall also Paul said previously in this letter, "the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring— not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all." Rom 4:16 So it's being of the faith which counts.
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
Rom 9:6-9 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." (Gen 21:12) In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son." (Gen 18:14)
There are two senses in which the New Testament speaks of "Jews" or "Israel". Note from verse 4 that Paul speaks of Israel incorporating all Israelites, both believers and non-believers. Yet a number of places it speaks of Israel as that which incorporates only believers. "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God." Gal 6:15-16 In which case, "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God." Rom 2:28,29
With regards to Sarah and Hagar Paul elsewhere writes, "it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: 'Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.' Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise." Gal 4:22-28 Unbelieving Jews are reckoned much like Ishmael, Abraham's son through the slave women Hagar. In fact Arab Muslims view themselves quite literally in that manner, and they're right. But in fact both unbelieving Jew and Muslims are in this same category. While believers, both among Jews and Gentiles, are reckoned sons of the promise as if sons of Abraham through Isaac.
Jesus said of the unbelieving Jews, "If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham." John 8:39 And recall also Paul said previously in this letter, "the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring— not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all." Rom 4:16 So it's being of the faith which counts.
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
