What Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in Romans 9:26? Introducing the Key Verse “and, ‘It shall happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ ’” The Old Testament Source: Hosea’s Prophecy “Yet the number of the children of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” • Also echoed in Hosea 2:23 “I will sow her for Myself in the land, and I will have compassion on Lo-ruhamah; and I will say to Lo-ammi, ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are my God!’ ” Original Setting in Hosea • Hosea prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) in the 8th century BC. • God used Hosea’s family names—Lo-Ruhamah (“Not Pitied”) and Lo-Ammi (“Not My People”)—as vivid symbols of Israel’s unfaithfulness and the resulting judgment. • Despite the impending exile, God promised future restoration: those once disowned would again be His cherished children. Paul’s Use of Hosea in Romans 9 • Paul cites Hosea to show that God’s saving purpose always included calling people who formerly stood outside covenant blessings. • In Romans 9, that includes: – A remnant of ethnic Israel rescued by grace (vv. 27–29). – Gentiles, once spiritually “not My people,” now grafted in by faith (vv. 24–26). • The prophecy proves God’s right to extend mercy on His sovereign terms while still keeping every word He gave to Israel. Connecting Verses Across Scripture • Isaiah 10:22–23 — affirms a remnant will return. • Deuteronomy 32:21 — foretells Gentiles provoking Israel to jealousy. • 1 Peter 2:10—applies Hosea’s promise to the church: “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” • Ephesians 2:11-22 — describes Gentiles brought near, forming “one new man” with believing Jews. Why This Fulfillment Matters Today • It displays the reliability of Scripture: a word spoken through Hosea centuries earlier finds literal, historical fulfillment in Christ’s gathering of both Jews and Gentiles. • It magnifies God’s grace: identity shifts from “not My people” to “sons of the living God” entirely by His initiative. • It assures believers of secure belonging: if God can reclaim the disowned and adopt outsiders, He can certainly keep His children now. |
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