Ezra Devotionals

Mercy on All

By Devotionals: Romans

“For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:32)   Bible Reading: Romans 11:28-32 In these verses, we are coming to the end of Paul’s explanation for the current unbelief of Israel. It rests in the plan of God to show mercy to the disobedient. If we have understood Paul’s argument correctly, he has spoken of a coming time when God will show favour to his ancient people Israel and “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). Here, the apostle gives one last explanation for their present unbelief and their future restoration. “As […]

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A Mystery

By Devotionals: Romans

“…I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery…” (Romans 11:25)   Bible Reading: Romans 11:25-27 From the 13th verse of this chapter onwards, Paul has been addressing the Gentile sector of the church in Rome. His main concern has been to prevent any feelings of superiority over their Jewish brothers and sisters, or over the nation of Israel as a whole. That is still on his mind as he introduces the idea of “a mystery”, something naturally hidden from our understanding, known only through the revelation of God’s mind and purposes. Paul writes, “Lest you be wise […]

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The Kindness and Severity of God

By Devotionals: Romans

“Note then the kindness and the severity of God…” (Romans 11:22)   Bible Reading: Romans 11:22-24 Paul’s recounting of what has happened to the Jews on the one hand, and the Gentiles on the other lead him to reflect on the character of God. He sees in this both the kindness and the severity of God. “Note the kindness and the severity of God,” he writes: “severity towards those who have fallen, but kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness” (Romans 11:22). Those that are “fallen” are unbelieving Israel, and those who have experienced God’s kindness (“you”) are […]

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No Room for Pride

By Devotionals: Romans

“So do not become proud, but fear.” (Romans 11:20)   Bible Reading: Romans 11:16-21 Paul, at this point, is addressing Gentiles within the church in Rome. He wants them to know that they must not become proud and look down on their Jewish brothers and sisters in the light of God passing by the bulk of their nation at this time. One way in which he does that is to remind them that there is a sense in which the nation of Israel is holy. He appeals to images of the firstfruits, and a tree with its root and branches […]

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Making Others Jealous

By Devotionals: Romans

“…I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous…” (Romans 11:14)   Bible Reading: Romans 11:13-15 We tend to think that the emotion of jealousy is universally bad. But that is not necessarily the case. Paul gives us an example here where jealousy can result in good. He is thinking of his ministry to the Gentiles in this regard. In this part of his letter, he wants to address his Gentile readers especially. “Now I am speaking to you Gentiles,” he says. “Inasmuch, then, as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry […]

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Freely Give

By Devotionals: Matthew

“Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)   Bible Reading: Matthew 10:5-15 Later this morning, and then again this afternoon, I have opportunities to bring a message from God’s word to two different groups of people. Rather than engaging in our regular reflections on the book of Romans, I want to take a few moments before preparing myself for these ministry events to share a thought that has absorbed my mind this morning. It is the idea expressed in the words of Jesus, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8, NIV). I have been reminded of these words […]

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By No Means!

By Devotionals: Romans

“…did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means!” (Romans 11:11)   Bible Reading: Romans 11:7-12 Paul’s message has been consistent. Israel, viewed as a nation, has not obtained what it sought – righteousness, justification, forgiveness in the sight of God. Instead, an elect remnant has (Romans 11:7). The rest, Paul says, “were hardened”, even as the prophets and David in the Psalms predicted (vs. 8-10). What, then, is the fate of the nation as a whole? Paul returns to this question repeatedly. “So I ask,” he says, “did they stumble in order that they might fall?” […]

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A Chosen Remnant

By Devotionals: Romans

“So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.” (Romans 11:5)   Bible Reading: Romans 11:1-6 Throughout these chapters dealing with his own nation, the apostle Paul has returned again and again to the idea that Israel has been stubborn and unbelieving. And because of that, God has shown mercy to the Gentiles so that he might provoke his people to jealousy (Romans 10:19). The question naturally arises, “[H]as God rejected his people?” (11:1). It might appear that way on the surface. But it is not true in fact. “By no means!” Paul protests. And to […]

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Israel’s Stubbornness

By Devotionals: Romans

“All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” (Romans 10:21)   Bible Reading: Romans 10:18-21 The thought of Israel’s unbelief lies behind this entire section of the letter to the Romans. Here, the apostle Paul continues to explain it. He has already pointed out the root of the problem. As a nation generally, his people had misunderstood their privileges, and in particular, the function of the Law of Moses. They had seen this as a means of establishing their own righteousness instead of embracing God’s gift of righteousness through faith in Christ (Romans […]

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The Source of Faith

By Devotionals: Romans

“So faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ..” (Romans 10:17)   Bible Reading: Romans 10:14-17 Paul has made the grand statement that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10: 13). But how are people to call upon him? That is the question that he poses and answers in the verses before us. What people need in order to be able to call on the Lord, he says, is faith. They have to “believe” in the Lord before they call on him. Paul states the issue in question form when […]

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