30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
- P125
31but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal.
32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.
- P125
33As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame."
- P125
Paul quotes Hosea and Isaiah to show that God includes people who were notoriginally His and preserves a remnant for Israel. Gentiles gained righteousnessby faith, but Israel, pursuing the Law, did not. They stumbled over the "stone"
God placed in Zion. But the one who believes in this stone, Jesus Christ, willnever be put to shame. - P125
Paul uses the reference to Hosea to remind the people of God’s faithfulness. The prophet Hosea was unwaveringly committed to his adulterous wife, representing God’s continual faithfulness to His idolatrous people. The Lord repeatedly demonstrated His loving kindness to Israel, culminating in the atoning death of His Son. - P126
Because of Jesus, we are now included as the children of the living God. The reference to the book of Isaiah is also profound. Although Israel was unfaithful to God, a remnant was saved. - P126
When we recognize the depths of our sin, we realize that we should have received judgment like Sodom and Gomorrah. Instead, we experience the depths of God’s incredible grace.
- P126
Dear Lord, I confess that I am in desperate need of Your mercy. I cast away my own crowns once again and look to You, the rock of my salvation. I rejoice that, because of You, I am a child of the living God. In Your name I pray, amen. - P127
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