When Israel’s sin requires a son to die

As I’ve pointed out before, Paul’s argument in Romans 2 is not that all Jews sin no matter how much they try not to do so. Rather, his argument is that they known throughout the world for being shameless sinners.

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

The last statement shows that the fullness of time has come for God’s son to die. As Nathan told David: “because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die” (2 Sam. 12.14; NASB). When Israel’s calling is completely inverted, so that they spread blasphemy rather than the knowledge of God, the death of a son is needed to bring the world to resurrection.

Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the LORD loved him and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

One thought on “When Israel’s sin requires a son to die

  1. Pingback: Mark Horne » Blog Archive » My imagination or Paul’s?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *