9:7 How is the phrase, "But in Isaac shall thy seed be called", to be understood?
9:7 How is the phrase, "But in Isaac shall thy seed be called", to be understood?
In saying this Paul was repeating God's words to Abraham in Gen 17, that His plan of salvation would only be fulfilled through Isaac, not Ishmael, Abraham's son to Hagar (CP Gen 17:18-22).
Ishmael was a child of Abraham's flesh, whereas Isaac was the child of God's promise to Abraham, through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed (CP 16:1-16). Only Isaac's descendants were the true descendants of Abraham, and it is only in the line of Isaac that Abraham should have the future generations that would properly bear his name and inherit the promises made to him by God (CP Ro 9:8-9 with 4:3-5, 10-25 and Ga 3:6-14, 29).
It needs to be stated here that Ishmael's descendants were not rejected by God for any failings by Ishmael. Nor was Isaac chosen for any virtue. Both choices and their consequences lay in the sovereign will of God who had purposed that Messiah - Jesus - would come from Isaac's line. Seed in Ro 9:7b refers to Jesus (CP Gen 3:15; 22:18; Ga 3:16).
See also comments on Mt 11:28-30, 13:10-11, 20:16; Jn 3:14-15, 3:36, 6:37, 12:37-40, Ac 2:37-38, 13:48, 28:23-29, Ro 3:24-26(A), 8:28-30, 9:10-13, 9:14-18, 9:19-21, 10:14-17, 11:2 11:4, Eph 1:3-6, 1:11-14, 2:8-10, 1Th 1:4; 2Ti 1:8-9; 1Pe 1:2, and author's studies Salvation - A Free Will Choice or Predestinated?, Chosen by God? and Israel in God's eternal Purpose in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1), and The Doctrine of Grace in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).