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by examining Eph. 1: There we find the word "predestinate" used twice, once in verse 5,
where it is "unto adoption", and again in verse 11, where it refers to "inheritance".
Let us now observe the way in which this important word is used in connection with
three different companies of the redeemed.
In the ninth chapter of Romans the Apostle enumerates the distinctive and exclusive
privilege of Israel "according to the flesh", who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the
adoption" (4). The structure of the passage relates "adoption" with "promises" and the
whole is important enough to claim our attention before passing on. Accordingly we set
out the structure.
A | According to the flesh.--Brethren.
B | Who are Israelites.
C | To whom pertaineth the ADOPTION.
D | And the glory.
E | And the covenants.
E | And the giving of the law.
D | And the service of God.
C | And the PROMISES.
B | Whose are the fathers.
A | As concerning the flesh, Christ came.
No one who has any understanding at all can interpret "Israel" "according to the flesh"
as of the Church, or of that company where there is "neither Jew nor Greek" (Gal. 3: 28).
When Israel were about to be brought out of Egypt, God called the nation His
"firstborn" saying, "Israel is My son, even My firstborn" (Exod. 4: 22). Attached to this
position is a citizenship, the city being Jerusalem which is destined to be the centre of the
earth when the Kingdom is set up. This we already know and we need now do no more
than quote the references (Isa. 2: 3; Zech. 14: 16, 17). One item, however, must now
be given due prominence. It is obvious that if one nation is to be granted pre-eminence,
the others must be subservient, and one of the accompaniments of the privilege of
adoption, which we find true of each sphere, is the grant of pre-eminence over other
companies in the same sphere.
"The nation and the kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations
shall be utterly wasted" (Isa. 60: 12).
"Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks and the sons of the alien shall be your
plowmen and your vinedressers; but ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall
call you the Ministers of our God" (Isa. 61: 5, 6).
We shall find that the following features are inseparable from adoption as used in the
Scriptures:
(1)
The appointing of the heir.
(2)
The dignity of the first-born.
(3)
The close association of a citizenship.
(4)
Some special pre-eminence over other companies in the same sphere.