St. Paul seems to be making a distinction between Israelites after the flesh as in the natural posterity of Abraham, and Israelites who by faith are Abraham's true spiritual children. Therefore, there appears to be in the writing of St. Paul the natural and the spiritual Israel. It seems that it is faith that counts and not mere race, culture, or ethnicity. When one thinks of ethnicity they are drawn to a specific culture or language group and geographical environment where people of a specific ethnicity are derived from. When one thinks of ethnicity they would place the Jews in this category as well. In the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures the word that is rendered for Gentiles is the Greek word ethnos of which we derive ethnic. Yet the Jew is not categorized in this manner. Perhaps being a Jew connotes a spiritual identity rather than an ethnicity. History tells us one can be a Jew and be from various cultures and ethnicity like someone who is a Christian.
This description would better incorporate the similarities of being a child of Abraham who by faith would be considered righteous as one who would be the righteousness of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Both descriptions of spirituality have a common denominator and is faith in God which is above ethnicity, legalism, and the law. Therefore to continue in the Judeo Christian faith one who is a true Jew would have to believe that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. This sheds a bit of light on those who may be privileged to have been born into a particular family that has aristocracy and wealth and due to this, one could think that this has given them some special access to God. When in reality it could be the very thing that keeps them from God. On the other hand one could have been raised in a Catholic home with parents of strong faith and Christian values which would have afforded this child with all the sacraments of the Church. Yet without the development of a personal faith it affords them little in personal growth.
Paul draws attention to God's choice in the sons of Isaac. Esau, the firstborn was rejected by God, while Jacob the second born was preferred by God. This choice was made by God the Father before these boys were born into the world. Why was this distinction made between these boys who were yet unborn? The answer to that question lies solely with God Himself! However, as the lives of Ishmael, Esau and their descendants were lived out on the pages of the Bible and of history, God's wisdom in His choice was proven correct. Both of these men, along with their descendants walked in open hatred of God, His people and His Law. The life they lead proved that God's choice was right and highlights the difference between a life in the flesh and one in the spirit. Are we descendants of the flesh only or are we descendants of faith and righteousness, chosen of God before the foundations of the earth. Which are you?
His servants and yours,
Gerard & Yolanda Cleffi Directors
Oratory of Divine Love
Genesis 18:10 or 14, or both combined identifies Isaac as the child of promise in Romans 9:9. And the true children of God or children of the promise are the descendants of Isaac, Genesis 21:12. It is faith that counts, not ethnicity. All of this is clear in these scriptures. Then Paul moves the argument even further to highlight God's free choices, His freedom to make choices. Just as God chose between to mothers, Sarah and Hagar, to find a recipient for His promise, so too does He choose between the two sons of a mother, Rebekah: Esau and Jacob.
Diane Bergant, C.S.A, Robert J. Karris, O.F.M, General Editors, Collegeville Bible Commentary, Collegeville Minn. The Liturgical Press, Pg. 1090
My Jesus, true center of my life, let my attention be so fixed on You that I may be aware of You in everything I do. I will never separate myself from You by undue anxiety or over eagerness for success. In the good works which I perform, I want You to take charge. I desire to surrender myself entirely to You in all my occupations. No longer shall my will lead me on, but Yours. I shall always strive to make my best efforts. the results are Yours to decide. My greatest joy from now on will be to work for love of You. Amen.
-Anthony J. Paone, S.J., My Daily Bread, Brooklyn, N.Y., Confraternity Of The Precious Blood Of Jesus, pg.381