1" What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” 5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!
Many people think they are above the law because of who they are. They are family members of important people. They are of a certain socio-economic status. They can pay for high priced lawyers and the list goes on as to why some people think they are above the law. The Jews felt they would be judged by the different standard than the Gentiles because they were God's special chosen people. “Not so.” said Paul. He had preached this message before in other synagogues and has gotten stoned for it. It is not a popular message. The obvious question that comes up among the Jewish objectors is, “Are you saying there is no advantage of being a Jew?” (Verses 1,2)
“Since God worked among the Jewish people throughout all the Old Testament, surely you are not suggesting we cease for God has made Himself known to our nation.”
Paul says indeed it is through the Jews that we have the oracles of God or the word of God. This term includes the Law, the Prophets, the writings of the Old Testament, as well as the revelations, and the presentation of God’s truth even the very coming of Jesus Christ was first to the Jews. All the revelation of God came to us, as we understand it, with His covenant to the Jewish people. The redemptive history is through the Jews and, as we will read later in this epistle, God isn’t finished with the Jewish nation yet. We are blessed because of the Jewish history.
It was the job of the Jews to pass on the revelation of God to the world. They became the nation that showed the Gentiles there is only one God. Indeed, many Gentiles came to salvation through faith in the God of the Jews. Individuals, groups, and even cities and nations responded by faith in the Lord by believing in the God of the Jews who is God above all gods. The 10 commandments are being debated today. Is it legal or illegal to post them in public places? The commands were the moral code for the Jews and has positively affected our society until today and until we replaced it with the laws of man instead of the laws of God. We are blessed because of Moses being up on Mount Sinai. We are blessed to understanding the prophecies that point to Jesus. We understand the reasons that began the atonement because of the sacrificial system of priests, the animals and the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sin. This is tremendous advantage that we thank the Jewish nation for giving to us, not to mention that Jesus is the Messiah, the promised one to the Jews and now to the world.
In verses 3,4 Paul anticipated resistance because he had received resistance before. Some Jews objected by arguing, “If what you say is true Paul and God picked the Jews to reveal himself and it didn’t work because the Jews also are sinners, then doesn’t that just make the whole salvation system come falling down? If Jews are faithless to the law, then the whole thing God set up is false, making God unfaithful to His promises. If you teach that salvation is outside of the Jewish ways and Gentiles can even be our judge, then what does that say about God’s promises to His people?
How often do people give up on the church, which is designed and instituted by God, when God’s people are unfaithful and full of sin. People give up on God. They throw in the towel. They claim the whole religious thing is a sham. They no longer want to be Christians because of Christians. God is unfaithful because His people are unfaithful, therefore, "Don’t judge us for our sin when this the system God set up."
How do you respond in your heart when leaders fall or fail or sin? Answer- keep looking to God and His truth and character and not look to other people. Paul says, even if no one loves God, even if everyone is a liar, even if all Jews reject Jesus and all Gentiles reject Jesus that does not affect God one bit, nor does it change His character one iota. He is God and is pure and faithful even if no one in the church is faithful. He does not change His character and His plan. You are lost in your sin. You must meet God just like every Jew, every Gentile, every church member and every preacher, missionary and evangelist. The standard isn’t what other people are doing. It is the holiness of God Almighty. Do you hear what I am saying this morning? You and God and that is all. Don’t make excuses for your sin because other Christians and leaders are unfaithful.
Justice does not come because of who you are or what family you are part of. No special privileges are given for the Jew who does not embrace Jesus Christ to be his savior.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I come just as I am to Your throne of grace for cleansing and purification through Your life, death and resurrection. Thank You for the atonement You have made for me and the resurrection life I can now live. Strengthen me through Your Holy Spirit to live that life daily for You.
Dale
