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Romans 9:4-29 God's Sovereign Choice

4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

7 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.”

8 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.

9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac.

11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:

12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!

15 For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

16 It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?”

20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”

21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

22 What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?

23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—

24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

25 As he says in Hosea:
“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people;
and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”

26 and,
“It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them,
‘You are not my people,’
they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:
“Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea,
only the remnant will be saved.

28 For the Lord will carry out
his sentence on earth with speed and finality.”

29 It is just as Isaiah said previously:
“Unless the Lord Almighty
had left us descendants,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have been like Gomorrah.”

Cross References for Romans 9:4-29

Isaiah 60:19 - The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, fo... Click to read the verse Isaiah 60:19 Click to read the verse Isaiah 60:19

Genesis 15:18 - On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land... Click to read the verse Genesis 15:18 Click to read the verse Genesis 15:18

Isaiah 63:19 - We are yours from of old; but you have not ruled over them, they have not been called by your n... Click to read the verse Isaiah 63:19 Click to read the verse Isaiah 63:19

Deuteronomy 14:1 - Clean and Unclean Food You are the children of the Lord your God. Do not cut yourselves or shav... Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 14:1 Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 14:1

Genesis 17:7 - I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants... Click to read the verse Genesis 17:7 Click to read the verse Genesis 17:7

Acts 2:39 - The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our ... Click to read the verse Acts 2:39 Click to read the verse Acts 2:39

Nehemiah 13:29 - Remember them, O my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the pries... Click to read the verse Nehemiah 13:29 Click to read the verse Nehemiah 13:29

Acts 3:25-26 - And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Ab... Click to read the verse Acts 3:25-26 Click to read the verse Acts 3:25-26

2 Corinthians 11:22 - Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Click to read the verse 2 Corinthians 11:22 Click to read the verse 2 Corinthians 11:22

Genesis 17:2 - I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” Click to read the verse Genesis 17:2 Click to read the verse Genesis 17:2

Genesis 32:28 - Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled w... Click to read the verse Genesis 32:28 Click to read the verse Genesis 32:28

Luke 1:54-55 - He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful Click to read the verse Luke 1:54-55 Click to read the verse Luke 1:54-55

Genesis 17:10 - This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Ever... Click to read the verse Genesis 17:10 Click to read the verse Genesis 17:10

Romans 8:15 - For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spi... Click to read the verse Romans 8:15 Click to read the verse Romans 8:15

John 1:17 - For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Click to read the verse John 1:17 Click to read the verse John 1:17

John 1:47 - When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there ... Click to read the verse John 1:47 Click to read the verse John 1:47

Acts 3:12 - When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you st... Click to read the verse Acts 3:12 Click to read the verse Acts 3:12

Jeremiah 31:20 - Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I st... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 31:20 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 31:20

Galatians 4:5 - to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Click to read the verse Galatians 4:5 Click to read the verse Galatians 4:5

Jeremiah 31:33 - “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 31:33 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 31:33

Exodus 4:22 - Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, Click to read the verse Exodus 4:22 Click to read the verse Exodus 4:22

Hosea 11:1 - God’s Love for Israel “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Click to read the verse Hosea 11:1 Click to read the verse Hosea 11:1

Jeremiah 31:9 - They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside strea... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 31:9 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 31:9

Deuteronomy 7:6 - For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the... Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 7:6 Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 7:6

Hebrews 9:1 - Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also a... Click to read the verse Hebrews 9:1 Click to read the verse Hebrews 9:1

Exodus 12:25 - When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. Click to read the verse Exodus 12:25 Click to read the verse Exodus 12:25

Ephesians 2:12 - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel a... Click to read the verse Ephesians 2:12 Click to read the verse Ephesians 2:12

Exodus 40:34 - The Glory of the Lord Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord fil... Click to read the verse Exodus 40:34 Click to read the verse Exodus 40:34

Exodus 34:27 - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have... Click to read the verse Exodus 34:27 Click to read the verse Exodus 34:27

Nehemiah 9:13-14 - “You came down on Mount Sinai; you spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and law... Click to read the verse Nehemiah 9:13-14 Click to read the verse Nehemiah 9:13-14

Acts 7:38 - He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with ... Click to read the verse Acts 7:38 Click to read the verse Acts 7:38

Isaiah 41:8 - “But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, Click to read the verse Isaiah 41:8 Click to read the verse Isaiah 41:8

Psalms 147:19 - He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. Click to read the verse Psalms 147:19 Click to read the verse Psalms 147:19

Romans 3:2 - Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. Click to read the verse Romans 3:2 Click to read the verse Romans 3:2

Numbers 7:89 - When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to h... Click to read the verse Numbers 7:89 Click to read the verse Numbers 7:89

1 Kings 8:11 - And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord... Click to read the verse 1 Kings 8:11 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 8:11

Hebrews 9:10 - They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations a... Click to read the verse Hebrews 9:10 Click to read the verse Hebrews 9:10

Exodus 24:7-8 - Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do ev... Click to read the verse Exodus 24:7-8 Click to read the verse Exodus 24:7-8

Deuteronomy 31:16 - And the Lord said to Moses: “You are going to rest with your fathers, and these people will soo... Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 31:16 Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 31:16

Romans 2:23 - You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? Click to read the verse Romans 2:23 Click to read the verse Romans 2:23

Hebrews 9:3 - Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, Click to read the verse Hebrews 9:3 Click to read the verse Hebrews 9:3

Psalms 89:3 - You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, Click to read the verse Psalms 89:3 Click to read the verse Psalms 89:3

Hebrews 7:6 - This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham a... Click to read the verse Hebrews 7:6 Click to read the verse Hebrews 7:6

Acts 10:11 - He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. Click to read the verse Acts 10:11 Click to read the verse Acts 10:11

Matthew 8:12 - But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be ... Click to read the verse Matthew 8:12 Click to read the verse Matthew 8:12

Hebrews 6:13-17 - The Certainty of God’s Promise When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one gre... Click to read the verse Hebrews 6:13-17 Click to read the verse Hebrews 6:13-17

Acts 13:32-33 - “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers Click to read the verse Acts 13:32-33 Click to read the verse Acts 13:32-33

Hebrews 8:6-10 - But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is med... Click to read the verse Hebrews 8:6-10 Click to read the verse Hebrews 8:6-10

Psalms 73:1 - Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. Click to read the verse Psalms 73:1 Click to read the verse Psalms 73:1

Deuteronomy 29:1 - Renewal of the Covenant These are the terms of the covenant the Lord commanded Moses to make wi... Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 29:1 Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 29:1

Deuteronomy 29:14 - I am making this covenant, with its oath, not only with you Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 29:14 Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 29:14

Psalms 89:34 - I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. Click to read the verse Psalms 89:34 Click to read the verse Psalms 89:34

1 Samuel 4:21-22 - She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture ... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 4:21-22 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 4:21-22

Psalms 78:61 - He sent the ark of his might into captivity, his splendor into the hands of the enemy. Click to read the verse Psalms 78:61 Click to read the verse Psalms 78:61

Isaiah 5:2 - He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watcht... Click to read the verse Isaiah 5:2 Click to read the verse Isaiah 5:2

Psalms 63:2 - I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Click to read the verse Psalms 63:2 Click to read the verse Psalms 63:2

Isaiah 46:3 - “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have uph... Click to read the verse Isaiah 46:3 Click to read the verse Isaiah 46:3

2 Peter 1:4 - Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you ma... Click to read the verse 2 Peter 1:4 Click to read the verse 2 Peter 1:4

Romans 9:6 - It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Click to read the verse Romans 9:6 Click to read the verse Romans 9:6

Psalms 90:16 - May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. Click to read the verse Psalms 90:16 Click to read the verse Psalms 90:16

Matthew 21:33 - The Parable of the Tenants “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vine... Click to read the verse Matthew 21:33 Click to read the verse Matthew 21:33

Luke 1:69-75 - He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David Click to read the verse Luke 1:69-75 Click to read the verse Luke 1:69-75

Hebrews 8:6 - But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is med... Click to read the verse Hebrews 8:6 Click to read the verse Hebrews 8:6

Matthew 15:26 - He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” Click to read the verse Matthew 15:26 Click to read the verse Matthew 15:26

Ezekiel 20:11-12 - I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, for the man who obeys them will live by ... Click to read the verse Ezekiel 20:11-12 Click to read the verse Ezekiel 20:11-12

Luke 15:31 - “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. Click to read the verse Luke 15:31 Click to read the verse Luke 15:31

Acts 13:32 - “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers Click to read the verse Acts 13:32 Click to read the verse Acts 13:32

Jeremiah 33:20-25 - “This is what the Lord says: ‘If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with th... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 33:20-25 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 33:20-25

Exodus 19:3-6 - Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what... Click to read the verse Exodus 19:3-6 Click to read the verse Exodus 19:3-6