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Stumble itROMANS XXXIX: AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD
Douglas Wilson
Christ Church - Moscow, ID
A.D. November 8, 2009
INTRODUCTION:
In this portion of Romans, we start to see the intersection of two realities—decretal realities and covenantal
realities. This will come to full flower in the next chapter, but we see it begin here. God is utterly sovereign, and
rightly understood, this means that when He chooses to use created instruments to accomplish His purposes, we do
not have the right to give Him any backchat about it.
THE TEXT:
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they
have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? . . .” (Rom 10:14-21).
SUMMARY OF THE TEXT:
In chapter 8, we considered the golden chain of redemption at the divine level—predestined, called, justified, and
gloried. Here we have another glorious, redemptive chain—sending, preaching, hearing, believing, and calling (vv.
14-15). The beautiful feet of the gospel messenger is an image taken from Is. 52:7. But the beautiful message is not
always beautifully received—just a few verses later, Isaiah laments the lack of faith (v. 16; Is. 53:1). Nevertheless,
faith still comes by hearing, and hearing by the (sent and preached) word of God (v. 17). But there are two kinds of
hearing—the one that leads to believing and calling on the Lord, and the other that leads to hardening. Did not the
unbelieving Israelites hear? Yes, after a fashion (v. 18; Ps. 19:4). Paul asks the question again—surely Israel did
hear in some way (v. 19). Yes, of course, (v. 19; Dt. 32:21). In contrast, Isaiah boldly prophesies that God would
be found by Gentiles who weren’t looking for Him (v. 20; Is. 65:1). And at the same time, God was rejected by
Israel (v. 21; Is. 65:2), that same Israel that pretended to be pursuing Him.
ROMANS 10: 14-21: AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD
Douglas Wilson
Christ Church - Moscow, ID
A.D. November 8, 2009
Douglas Wilson’s Blog
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