-
The faithfulness of God
Romans 9:1–5 is part of the lectionary readings for the ninth Sunday after Pentecost, which is August 2nd. In chapters 1 through 3, Paul spoke about the responsibilities of Jews and Gentiles in light of the knowledge God had provided for each of them. Then, in chapters 9 through 11, the apostle advanced the preceding discussion by describing the roles each group would play in God’s plan of salvation. On the one hand, the Israelites had gloried in the fact that they were God’s chosen people (Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 1 Kings 3:8). Yet, on the other hand, they had largely forsaken the Creator, and subsequently He gave believing Gentiles a…