Divine Election:
The choosing of Israel
Acts 1:2
What is divine Election?
From lexham dictionary, the Greek terms associated with election:
Eklegomai, eklektos, and ekloge also describe a choice or something that is chosen.
Divine selection out of and to a given outcome. Strong’s
Concordance Thayer’s dictionary.
Is biblical election equals salvation?
What is divine election in the Bible? ROMANS 9
Romans chapter 9. The choosing of the 12 disciples
The choosing of Israel. Duet. 7:6-7
““For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples,”
Deuteronomy 7:6-7 ESV
Deut. 14:2 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”
Deuteronomy 14:2 ESV
Psalms 105:43 “So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.”
Psalm 105:43 ESV
Purpose of Israel’s election. Why did he elect iSRAEL?
Exodus 19:5-6
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.””
Exodus 19:5-6 ESV
Election in regards to Israel, especially in Romans chapter 9 is not about salvation but service, vocation and purpose
Election is for who?
Predestination is for what?
The passage is not about eternal destiny, but election for service and purpose.
To understand the choosing of Israel the doctrine of election is established in Israel in the choosing of Isaac over Ishmael and also established in the choosing of Jacob over Esau.
The doctrine of election established hen he chose Israel and Isaac and he chose Israel and Jacob
He rejected Israel in Ishmael and Esau that the doctrine of election might be established.
Both seeds of Abraham
One a promise seed, the other of the flesh
What is Paul talking about in Romans CHAPTER 9? ABOUT ELECTION?
What was the intended meaning of Paul’s conversation to his audience by applying exegesis?
- The state of Israel
Paul shifts from celebration the relationship of believers, those grafter in by farther to reflecting on the numerous numbers of those cut off for their unbelief from his own country, Israel because of their rejection of their own Messiah.
How does the affect on God’s promise make to Israel?
Gen. 12:3
“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.””
Genesis 12:3 ESV
- God’s word entrusted to Israel vs 4-5
Anyone can be saved by Grace through faith, but many from Israel do not believe. What benefit is there then for being a Jew? Romans 3:1-2
“Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.”
Romans 3:1-2 ESV
The very word of God was entrusted in Israel, which included the Messiah and his redemptive words.
Israel’s unfaithfulness and being cut off does not negate a promise.
- Why did the word not fail? Versus 6-8
The once entrusted with God’s word was opposing the word, so then has the word failed?
The fulfillment of God’s word, as promised to Abraham is not dependent upon the faithfulness of the Israelites Romas 3:3-4
“What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.””
Not all descendant of Israel is chosen to carry out the purpose for which god elected Israel
Not every descendants of Israel is guaranteed salvation on the basis of being an Israelite
Galatians 4:21-25 “Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.”
Galatians 4:21-25 ESV
- God’s purpose to bring the word through Israel versus 6-13.
Gods plan in which the word of promise given to Abraham, in genesis 12:3 is to be accomplished
2. Isaac will be the lineage through whom the word would come. Christ the Messiah and his word will come through Isaac’s seed, not Ishmael. Why?
Why? Gal. 4:21-25
“Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.”
Galatians 4:21-25 ESV
Paul further made clear that not all of Isaac descendants are:
1. Guaranteed salvation
2. Not all are chosen for noble purpose of bringing god’s word to the world.
God chose Jacob, the lesser of the two brothers in age and physical prowess, for the noble purpose of bringing the word to the rest of the world.
