By Ron Courter (Excerpt from Article Originally Printed June 30, 1985)

This lesson will have two main objectives. We will make some concluding remarks on the discussion of Romans 9. Thereafter, we are going to include a brief review quiz to help stir your memory on the subject to aid retention. Continue reading →

By Ron Courter (Excerpt from Article Originally Printed May 31, 1985)

Let us begin by stepping a shade beyond our actual study, but it is worthy of our time. Why? Because this subject always seems to provoke words about God’s way. God has never left himself without attestation (Acts 14:15-17). God has always left testimony of himself for mankind. Recall Romans 1:20 speaking of nature revealing there is a God. Read Psalms 19:1-4. Paul reasoned the Gentiles had no body of revelation like Israel enjoyed. Paul declared they were without hope, but let us realize there was knowledge of God among them. Paul told the men of Athens that God was not far from them. A total view certainly reveals Edom’s position is no embarrassment to the justness of God. It is well to remember in studying the Bible many statements dealing with the progress of the redemptive scheme are highly comparative and deal with the development of God’s scheme of redemption. They are not always statements regarding eternal life or eternal condemnation. There are enough interactions of Gentiles in the redemptive scheme to illustrate the previous statement must be examined carefully in different passages. Comparative statements go back to the comparison of the privileges or the role of that group of people in bringing about God’s plan. This is the type of circumstance we face in Romans 9.

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By Ron Courter (Excerpt from Article Originally Printed April 30, 1985)

How did God love or prefer Israel over Edom? The manner of Jacob’s preference is biblically declared. Paul writes, “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of Circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God (Romans 3:1,2).” Israel received a clear, complete body of revelation from heaven. Who would claim such a body of revelation is not to one’s advantage? Stephen spoke of such in Acts 7:38 when he said, “…and our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us.”

The Psalmist speaks clearly of how Jacob was preferred. “He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD (Psalms 147: 19,20).” For those who prematurely affirm such actions were not proper for the sovereignty of heaven, let it be remembered Israel had to obey the revelation given to obtain righteousness. Amos 3:2 reads, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Furthermore, the completed revelation leaves no doubt that God is just and far more aware of justice than man’s development. God is far more capable than man to see the demands of justice are fulfilled. Therefore, be silent when you begin to question the justness of the creator and sustainer of man. Continue reading →

By Ron Courter (Excerpt from Article Originally Printed March 31, 1985)

Rebecca, there are two nations in thy womb. We have learned that one of those nations was Edom. Esau speaks of the nation of Edom and the events spoken regarding Esau are in reference to the nation of Edom and her relationship with Israel. This means the efforts to teach the doctrine of predestination regarding individual salvation from these verses is vain.

The other nation in Rebecca’s womb was Israel and the words spoken in reference to Jacob speak of Israel. Let us demonstrate what we learned about the usage of Esau and Edom is also true of Jacob and Israel. Isaiah 43:1 reads, “But now thus saith the LORD that created, thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee by thy name; thou are mine.” Verse 22 reads, “But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.” Verse 28 says, “Therefore, I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.” Again the words of Isaiah, “Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen (Isaiah 44:1).” Continue reading →

By Ron Courter (Excerpt from Article Originally Printed February 28, 1985)

We closed our last lesson with Paul teaching that being of Abraham’s seed did not necessarily mean all were Abraham’s children. Paul was showing that the rejection of many of Israel did not mean God was unfaithful to his promises. The truth that all of Abraham’s seed were not his children reminds us of the words of Jesus. John 8:37, 39 reads, “I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you … They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.”

What does fleshly Israel mean when God told Abraham, “…In Isaac shall thy seed be called?” We do know there were other children of Abraham’s seed. You will agree with this for in Genesis 21:13 it reads, “And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.” Israel, what about Ishmael? Does your allegation that God must include all of fleshly Israel include Ishmael and his descendants? Israel, we both know your answer. Your allegation proves too much for even you. Yes, all of Israel is not Israel. Romans 9:8 reads, “That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Continue reading →

By Ron Courter (Excerpt from Article Originally Printed January 31, 1985)

The title of this lesson is a quotation from the Old Testament and is used by the apostle Paul in Romans 9:13. These words have become the wrestling mat of destruction for so many. It reminds us of what Peter once said about some of Paul’s writings. “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” Peter’s reference is to those things in his writings, that Paul also had written in his epistle. But when we listen to the tremendous misuse of Paul’s writings in the Roman letter, the words of Peter certainly fit our day.

This lesson will lay background consideration about the Roman letter and the intent of the words of Paul, “… Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated.” The next lesson will deal with the Continue reading →