Paul was a Jew. His heart was broken because his own people rejected Christ. He would have exchanged his own salvation for theirs, had it been possible. The Israelites enjoyed the privileges of being God's sons, having his covenant, and being eyewitnesses of his glory. God dwelt with them and provided the way of forgiveness and worship. Their greatest glory was the Christ, who is God over all. But the Israelites rejected Christ and lost their privilege. Heritage is valuable, but the point is knowing and serving Jesus, who is God over all.

Israel failed, but God did not fail. God fulfilled his promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his offspring. In his sovereign mercy, God chose Jacob rather than Esau. When Pharaoh opposed God, God used him anyway to proclaim his name in all the earth. No one can belong to God by their own desire or effort, only by God's sovereign mercy.


Application: Lord, I believe your promises; teach me to depend on your unfailing mercy.
One Word: Depend on God's mercy