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Priscilla: Romans 9:1-13
The Heart of Paul Towards the People of Israel

1 I tell the truth in Christ, I do not lie, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit,

2 that my grief is great, and a never ceasing pain is in my heart,

3 for I myself was wishing to be a curse from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to flesh,

4 who are Israelites, whose are the adoption and the glory, and the covenants, and the Lawgiving, and the service, and the promises;

5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to flesh, He being God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

6 Not, however, that God’s Word has failed. For not all those of Israel are Israel,

7 nor because they are Abraham’s seed are all children, but “In Isaac a Seed shall be called to you.” Gen. 21:12

8 That is: Not the children of flesh are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for a seed.

9 For the Word of promise is this, “According to this time I will come, and a son will be to Sarah.” Gen. 18:10

10 And not only so, but also Rebekah conceiving of one, our father Isaac,

11 for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of the One calling,

12 it was said to her, “The greater shall serve the lesser;” Gen. 25:23

13 even as it has been written, “I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau.” Mal. 1:2, 3

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Dear God, my Beloved Father, today I present to You my understanding of Your Word in Romans 9:1-13 concerning the heart of Paul towards the people of Israel.

Dear God, as I read verses 1 to 3, I understand that the Apostle Paul spoke sincerely, in the name of Christ, about his feelings towards the people of Israel. His conscience bears witness to those feelings through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He wishes he himself could be cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of his fellow Israelites. He is willing to endure the pain of punishment for sin on their behalf, as they share his flesh. I understand Paul’s feelings, his love, and pain for his people who do not accept Christ and are thus destined for eternal destruction.

Dear God, when I think of the Vietnamese people, my heart is also filled with sadness because many of them do not accept the Gospel, including my family members who continue to live in sin, violate Your commandments, and practice idolatry. Therefore, they too will face eternal condemnation.

Dear God, regarding verses 4 and 5, I understand that You chose the people of Israel among many nations to be a holy people and Your adopted children. They received special promises and blessings from You, unlike other nations.

Dear God, concerning verses 6 and 7, I understand that Abraham is the patriarch and father of many nations. Because of his faith in You, he was declared righteous and entered into a covenant with You for himself and his descendants who share his faith. Therefore, anyone who has true faith in You like Abraham will be called his offspring. They are the true Israelites, that is, the spiritual Israel, a holy lineage for You. Therefore, it is not because many physical Israelites have perished that Your promise to Abraham has become void.

Dear God, from verses 8 to 13, I understand that You are a loving, righteous, and faithful God. It is Your absolute right and will to show mercy and grant favor to any nation or individual who fears You and obeys You. You have mercy and bestow Your grace upon those who have a reverential fear of You and obey You. You are the God of justice.

Dear God, I pray that You will help me to have a heart like Paul’s, to love and care for my fellow countrymen and desire their salvation. May I also have the faith of Abraham, and may my faith be counted as righteousness before You. I ask for Your mercy and grace to be poured out upon my family members and the people of Vietnam so that they may come to know and accept Your salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
03/28/2023