Romans 9:4 - Adoption as Sons

 

•        Paul has just informed us in Romans 8:15,23 that “adoption” is the Spirit-conferred status of all those who have been justified by faith in Christ.

•        It is surprising that Paul would confer this status on the Israelites whom he just told us are, for the most part, not saved (c.f. verses 1-3)

•        Clearly, then, Israel’s adoption here must mean something different than the adoption of Christians in chapter 8.

•        The term “adoption” as used in Romans 9:4 is Paul’s way of summing up the teaching about Israel as “God’s son”:

–      Exodus 4:21-23 - The LORD said to Moses, “. . .  say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.'”

–      Deuteronomy 14:1 - You [Israelites] are the children of the LORD your God.

–      Hosea 11:1 - "When Israel was a child, I [God] loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

 

•        The adoption of the Israelites applies to the nation as a whole, branding them as set aside by God from other peoples for blessing and service.

 

•        God’s adoption of Christians gives to every believer in Christ all the rights and privileges that are included within the New Covenant blessings.

 

•        God’s adoption of Israel, on the other hand, conveys to that nation all the rights and privileges included within the Old Covenant.