Paul emphasizes the promises given to Israel because God has not set them aside and will fulfill every one of them.
Paul stresses these promises to show that, despite Israel's past rejection and present unbelief, God remains faithful to His covenant people. Les Feldick teaches that God is not through with Israel and that all the promises made to the nation will yet be fulfilled after the present age of the Gentile church.
Romans 9:4 — Lists the specific privileges and promises given to Israel, which Paul emphasizes in his argument.
In Romans 9:4, Paul enumerates the unique privileges of Israel: 'Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.' These are direct statements of what God has given to Israel. The Old Testament contains many prophecies directed to Israel, and these are not canceled. For instance, in Romans 11, Paul speaks of a mystery that Israel has experienced a partial blindness until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in, indicating that Israel's promises remain.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul's writings, particularly Romans 9–11, are crucial to understanding that God is not finished with Israel. He teaches that Israel's covenant promises are yet to be fulfilled and that the nation has been set aside only temporarily. Les points out that although Israel has been without a temple, priesthood, and homeland for centuries, God will still bring them back and fulfill everything He promised to their forefathers. He also stresses that the church does not have prophecies; all prophecy is directed to Israel.
In Romans 9:4, Paul lists the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises as belonging to Israel. Les Feldick explains that these include the covenants and the service of God, which was centered on the tabernacle and temple worship.
Les Feldick teaches that Romans 9 deals with Israel's past, Romans 10 with the present, and Romans 11 with the future. Paul emphasizes Israel because God is not through with them, and their covenant promises will still be fulfilled.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the promises are to Israel and will be fulfilled to the nation of Israel, not the church. The church has been grafted in, but Israel is not replaced.
The Service of God Explained: What Israel's Worship Meant — Romans 9:4
Superstition is always man's fear and opposing the powers of evil. Remember that. Now here again, Paul is using the same analogy, the same word that Israel was steeped in with their system of worship, the pagans were doing much the same. Ritual, services. Now look what it says in Galatians 4 verse 9. But now, after that you have known God.
Israel's Covenant Promises
In this clip, Les teaches that Israel's covenant promises are yet to be fulfilled, and God is not through with the nation of Israel.
Israel's Unique Position
Les explains that Israel had a special heritage including the glory, and that the world tries to ignore their covenant promises, but God never forgets His covenant people.
Israel Temporarily Set Aside
Les emphasizes that Paul makes it plain that God is not through with Israel, even though they have been set aside without temple, priesthood, and homeland for centuries.
Mystery of Israel's Future
Les discusses Romans 11:25 and the mystery that Israel's blindness is temporary, and God will yet fulfill everything He has promised to Israel.
God Will Bring Israel Back
Les reminds us that God promised to bring Israel back, and all the Old Testament screams of that, showing God will still deal with His national people.
God Not Through with Israel
Les says Romans 11 blasts out that God is not through with Israel, and he reviews how God dealt primarily with Israel from Genesis to Acts.
Israel's Rejection and Future Restoration
Les explains that though Israel rejected all the promises and suffered dispersion, God promised to bring them back and fulfill all promises made to their forefathers.
Romans 9:4: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Paul lists the specific privileges of Israel, which are the focus of his emphasis.
Romans 11:25: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Reveals that Israel's blindness is partial and temporary, and their promises will be fulfilled after the Gentile age.
Yes, Les Feldick teaches that God is not done with Israel, and all the covenant promises will be fulfilled. He bases this on Romans 11 and the whole Old Testament.
No, Les teaches that the promises are specifically for Israel as a nation, and the church has a distinct calling and destiny. The church does not replace Israel.
Les explains that understanding Israel's role helps us see God's faithfulness and His plan for the future. It also refutes replacement theology.
Watch the Teaching: The Service of God Explained: What Israel's Worship Meant — Romans 9:4