must expect confusion, and the inevitable evils that flow from a false representation of

the sovereignty of God. Just as the advocates of eternal punishment can only find a basis

for their dreadful creed by ignoring the qualifying statements of Scripture, and applying

what is peculiar and limited to what is universal, so in Rom. 9: we can only build up the

Calvinistic doctrine of eternal reprobation, with the allied error which regards sin as parts

of the Divine decree, if we fail to see that Paul is here dealing with the dispensational

question of Israel's rejection and failure.

We conclude by giving the structure of the passage just considered.

A1 | 6-8. The Word of God.

B1 | 6-8. In Isaac, a seed reckoned. |

a | All out of Israel, these are not all Israel.

b | The seed of Abraham, these are not all children.

c | In Isaac the seed shall be called.

a | The children of the flesh, these are not the children of God.

b | The children of promise.

c | Counted for a seed.

A2 | 9. The Word of Promise.

B2 | 9. To Sarah, a child promised. |

a | At this time.

b | Will I return.

c | Sarah shall have a son.

A3 | 10-13. It was said unto her.

B3 | 10-13. To Rebekah, a nation chosen. |

a | Rebekah . . . . . Isaac. Common parentage.

b | Purpose according to election.

c | Greater, lesser; loved, hated.