God is the Creator who made each person for his purpose. He bore the rejection of men with great patience in order to reveal the riches of his glory, not just to Jews, but also to Gentiles. The Gentile world was under God's wrath and was destined for destruction because of their rejection. But when some responded in faith, they too became his people and the objects, the recipients, of God's mercy. This fulfilled the will of God expressed in prophecy. Being one of God's people is not a matter of lineage. When the Gentiles believed God, they were called "God's people." Only a remnant of the Israelites would be saved, and that by God's mercy.

Righteousness is from God. The Gentiles received it by faith in God's mercy. The Jews pursued it as if they could attain it by their own works, but they stumbled. Jesus is the stone God laid in Zion. All who trust in him will never be put to shame.


Application: Sovereign Lord, thank you for displaying the riches of your mercy in the gospel. Help me to trust only in Jesus.
One Word: A stone in Zion