Romans 9:25-33 As he said also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.… Our text is a quotation from Isaiah, and is intended to show the great disparity, in point of number, between the believing and the unbelieving Israelites. I. THOUGH MULTITUDES APPEAR TO BE THE PEOPLE OF GOD, YET THOSE WHO ARE SO IN REALITY ARE COMPARATIVELY FEW. 1. The children of Israel according to the flesh were numerous "as the sand of the sea." The promise of Genesis 22:17 was in great measure fulfilled in Moses's time (Numbers 23:9, 10). When they went down into Egypt they were only seventy-five persons; but when they came out from thence, all told, they probably amounted to three or four millions. Yet they are not all Israel (1 Corinthians 10:1-11; Hebrews 4:1, 2, 11). The Jews also in our Lord's time were very numerous; but the greater part of them perished in their unbelief, and were at length dispersed and ruined as a nation (Matthew 23:34-39; 1 Thessalonians 2:15, 16). 2. Those also who profess religion have in all ages been very numerous, yet the number of the truly pious is very small. (1) How many who are called Christians are entirely ignorant of the fundamental truths of Christianity (Isaiah 29:11, 12). (2) How many rest in outward privileges and performances. (3) How many selfish worldlings there are who follow Christ for the loaves and fishes. (4) What shall we say of those heartless and barren professors, who bring forth no fruit; or if any, it is to themselves, and not to God. II. THEY ARE CALLED A REMNANT, "A REMNANT THAT SHALL BE SAVED." With respect to the Jews in the apostles' time, only a small part of them were brought to believe in Christ; and though some thousands were converted in one day, the far greater number continued in obstinate unbelief. Instances of conversion since that time have been very rare. We are assured, however, that at the appointed time the Redeemer will come, and turn away ungodliness from Jacob. And with respect to the Gentiles, there has ever been and will be, even in times of the grossest darkness and corruption, a remnant according to the election of grace. 1. There is and shall be a remainder, a part reserved out of the whole, as the word generally signifies (Isaiah 10:12: Revelation 12:17). This implies — (1) Paucity or fewness. Christ's Church is a little city, and few men in it. A little flock, under the care of the great and good Shepherd; small when compared with the rest of the world, and with what it will be hereafter (Revelation 7:9). But in any one age, and especially in any one place, the Church of Christ is comparatively small; and if the chaff were separated from the wheat, it would be smaller still (Matthew 20:16). (2) Choice or separation. God's remnant is a chosen remnant, according to the election of grace; and this alone it is that secures its existence (Romans 8:29). 2. This remnant shall be saved, net only from the wrath to come, but also from innumerable evils in the present life (Isaiah 26:20; Ezekiel 9:4). But eternal salvation is chiefly intended, which includes — (1). A deliverance from all evil and the fear of evil (Revelation 21:4). (2) The possession of all good; perfect knowledge, holiness, peace; the true enjoyment of ourselves, and the most intimate communion with God. 3. The salvation of this remnant is certain, both from the promises of God and the engagements of the Redeemer. Christ must reign. Conclusion: If we have hitherto been indifferent about this salvation, let us take warning. If we have immortal souls, surely their interest demands our chief attention. Are we only nominal Christians, let us remember that an empty name will be of no avail hereafter; but if we are Israelites indeed, how delightful are our prospects! (B. Beddome, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. |
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