Romans 9:22-25 (WEL) [What] if God, wanting to show his wrath and make his authority known, endured with much longsuffering the objects of wrath ripe for destruction, 23 And that He might make known the riches of his glory on objects of mercy, which he prepared ahead of time for glory? 24 Even us whom he has called, not only Jews but also Gentiles. 25 As He also says in Hosea, “I will call them ‘My People’ who were not my people and ‘My Beloved’ who were not beloved.” [Hosea 2:23]
V22 [What] if God, wanting to show his wrath and make his authority known, endured with much longsuffering the objects of wrath ripe for destruction…
The objects of wrath were not decreed to be so. They had rejected God and His ways, so they deserve punishment. In context, Paul is still writing about Pharaoh. God does wait for a change of mind. Compare Noah in Genesis 6:13 (it took time to build the Ark), Jonah 3:4 (Jonah in Nineveh warned them that judgement would happen in 40 days), and Revelation 2:21 (Jezebel).
V23 …And that He might make known the riches of his glory on objects of mercy, which he prepared ahead of time for glory?
The time will arrive that God’s longsuffering is over and punishment begins. God pleads with them to repent, but most refuse. Matthew 23:37 (MSB) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
On the other hand, were those who did repent, so God gave them mercy through Jesus to not be destroyed forever—2 Thessalonians 1:9.
V24 Even us whom he has called, not only Jews but also Gentiles.
God has a plan for those who believe, not only for Jews but also Gentiles. Israel, which this chapter has to do with, has the promises of the Messianic kingdom that was promised to Abraham in Genesis 15, which included a country, a nation, and the Messiah. The nation (Israel) exists, the Messiah is Jesus, and all the blessings and promises that await Israel in the kingdom. The kingdom will come after the Tribulation.
V25 As He also says in Hosea, “I will call them ‘My People’ who were not my people and ‘My Beloved’ who were not beloved.” [Hosea 2:23]
This refers to the Gentiles who come to believe in Israel’s Messiah, Jesus.
Constable writes: “…Paul saw an analogy between God’s present calling of Gentiles and His future calling of Israel. [Note: Johnson, “Evidence from…,” p. 209-11; Witmer, p. 479.] Gentiles were not a distinct people, as were the Jews, but constituted the mass of humanity. Nevertheless, by God’s grace, believing Gentiles became members of the new people of God, the church.”
We learn:
- God’s longsuffering for people to repent starting with ethnic Israel.
- God had a plan for Gentile salvation.
Questions:
- Are you still waiting to believe in Jesus?
- Are you praying for Israel?