Romans 9:27-33
Israel’s Unbelief

Today, 03/30/2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in Romans 9:27-33.

27 And Isaiah doth cry concerning Israel, `If the number of the sons of Israel may be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved;

28 for a matter He is finishing, and is cutting short in righteousness, because a matter cut short will the Lord do upon the land.

29 and according as Isaiah saith before, `Except the Lord of Sabaoth did leave to us a seed, as Sodom we had become, and as Gomorrah we had been made like.’

30 What, then, shall we say? that nations who are not pursuing righteousness did attain to righteousness, and righteousness that is of faith,

31 and Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, at a law of righteousness did not arrive;

32 wherefore? because–not by faith, but as by works of law; for they did stumble at the stone of stumbling,

33 according as it hath been written, `Lo, I place in Sion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence; and every one who is believing thereon shall not be ashamed.’

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Suggested Questions:

1. Verse 28 means that God will fulfill His promises quickly. But from the time God promised Abraham to now, it has been more than 4,000 years. So, how should we understand the meaning of the term “cut short” or “quickly”?

2. Verse 29 speaks of the great mercy of the Lord upon the Israelites. But is that mercy also extended to other nations? Why is the title Lord of Hosts (Lord of Sabaoth) used in this passage?

3. What is the justice that the Gentiles are not pursuing? What justice have the Gentiles did attain to?

4. Who or what is the rock that trips up the Israelites? What does the stumbling mean? Why did the Lord set up the stone of stumbling for the Israelites?

5. Today, do God’s people seek justice by following the commenmands of God?

Suggested Applications:

1. What did you learn from verse 27?

2. What did you learn from verse 29?

3. Has anyone ever been a stumbling stone to you or have you been a stumbling stone to someone else, as set forth by God?