Temple Baptist Church - 3-24-2024
Romans 11:33-36
Introduction:
A. A Biblical Interpretation before a Practical Application. Chapters 9-11 of the Book of Romans make up what is called a Parenthetical. An insertion that acts as an explanation of additional information within the context.
1. These chapters deal with the Nation of Israel instead of the individual. Before these chapters, Paul has been dealing with the salvation of men or the lack there of, but chapters 9-11 deal with the Nation of Israel and their relationship to God.
2. Chapters 9-11 all begin with the Nation of Israel and end with the Nation of Israel. Chapter 9 shows Israel’s Past; Chapter 10 shows Israel’s Present; Chapter 11 shows Israel’s Prophecy.
3. Israel was and is God’s chosen nation! These chapters explain what Israel did in chapter 9 (Rejection of their Messiah), what God is now doing with Israel in Chapter 10 (Salvation to the individual Jews who accept Christ Jesus), and Chapter 11 shows the future of the Nation (Israel’s Repentance and Return to their Messiah).
B. Paul ends this parenthetical trilogy of chapters, 9-11, with a doxology. “Doxology,” in the Ancient Greek language is compound word: from δόξα, doxa, "glory" and -λογία, -logia, "saying” or “word."
C. God is not done with Israel. At the end of Jacob’s Trouble, also called the Tribulation Period, Israel as a nation will look upon Him whom they have pierced and nationally return to their Messiah.
Zechariah 12:8-10 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. (9) And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (10) And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Romans 11:25-27 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (26) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (27) For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
D. That is the interpretation. Chapter 11:33-36 is Israel’s guarantee. God knows what He is doing! God loves Israel and He will restore the nation back to Himself.
E. I will give three types of wisdom found in the Bible before I look at this doxology.
1. Worldly Wisdom: things that we learn over the years. We gain knowledge and then learn how to apply it rightly. This worldly wisdom can be learned or experiential.
a) Learned wisdom. It is the wise individual who seeks counsel and advice. It is a wise individual who learns from those who have already learned. When you become “know it all,” you become a foolish individual.
b) Experiential wisdom. Though learned wisdom is the simplest way to learn, often experience is the best teacher.
2. Spiritual Wisdom: spiritual knowledge rightly applied. Spiritual wisdom comes from God! It can be taught by the people of God, or it can be taught by the Word of God.
a. The First Mention of wisdom in the Bible: Exodus 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
b. The “spirit of wisdom” comes from God. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
3. God’s Wisdom: The wisdom of God is an all know or omniscient wisdom. God knows all things and there are some things that only God knows and can only be gotten from Him. The Bible declares that God’s wisdom in infinite:
Psalms 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
F. Wisdom defined: accumulated knowledge or enlightenment , the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight, the quality of being prudent and sensible. (By my definition, wisdom is the right application of or understanding of how to use knowledge.)
G. One of the attributes of God is that of omniscience. This is means “omni” or “all” and “science” or “knowledge.” The state of having infinite knowledge. As Dr. B. R. Lakin so put it, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?” God knows everything about everything!
H. There is a difference between having knowledge and having wisdom. Many men of our times have had great intellect, extensive education, and yet have died without Christ! That is the most foolish thing that I can think of. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God!” Men like Confucius who have left behind a legacy of worldly wisdom have denied Christ, died lost, and are in hell today.
J. God not only has all knowledge, but He also has all wisdom! God’s knowledge and wisdom are far above that of the smartest and wisest of all men.
Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Notice the analogy here: “as the heavens are higher than the earth.”)
K. Verse 36. Now for the application. If God takes care of His elect nation that rejected Christ Jesus, how much the more will He take care of His children who have placed their trust in Him! I think it important that we understand God’s wisdom as we are taught biblically to trust Him in relationship to our circumstances and needs.
1. Our Salvation is of Him - John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (Salvation is an act of God but it is also a choice of the individual!)
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
2. Our Circumstances are through Him - Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (We are often confused, humanly speaking, by the things that happen in our lives that we cannot control. Yet, the Bible is clear that we are to trust completely when we do not understand.)
Job 23:10-12 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (11) My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. (12) Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (In times of uncertainty, God wants our priority to be Him, not our temporal needs. He has assured us that He knows what we need and will supply them. God wants our unwavering faith to be inn Him as He controls our circumstances.)
3. Our Future is to Him - 1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Conclusion: No matter what comes, the wisdom of God is our guarantee that all will work together for good to those of us who love Him and, in the end all will be well.
1. The Wisdom Of God Penned Down In The Bible.
2. The Wisdom Of God Previewed In Creation.
3. The Wisdom Of God Personified In Jesus Christ.
4. The Wisdom Of God Performed In Salvation.
5. The Wisdom Of God Personalized In Our Justification.
6. The Wisdom Of God Perfected In Our Eternity.
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