Wednesday, May 6- Romans 9:6-13

6It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
-interesting observation to make. Probably an argument that people would have made. God's word doesn't fail.

7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."
-lineage or name doesn't make you Abraham's children. We also are not Christians because our parents were.

8In 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.
-The people who truly accept God's promise are God's children. Regarded as, but still full children of Abraham. Strange adoption

9For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."
-Part of the covenant made with Abraham.

10Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac.
11Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand:
-God's decisions are his to elect who he will elect. Understanding this is difficult. Some would want to say that God looks at our entire life then makes a decision based upon ours. Who knows how this all works when God works outside the natural laws of the universe. Inevitably God must work in order for us to come to any decision about him.

12not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger."
-It wasn't by what they did that one was chosen over the other. It was God's sovereign will. What does that leave for our free will? Who knows exactly, but we know we are responsible for our decisions so we better make the best ones we can. Just live as wisely as possible and let God sort out the details in the end.

13Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
-Crazy, but God has his reasons that must be better than our understanding of the situation.

-Part of me says just trust God. Some people might think that's unfair, but we can't necessarily judge fairness upon one detail. We must look at what we don't understand thru the lens of the rest of his character. The fact remains, its amazing that anyone is redeemed because all have sinned and deserve death.