Romans 11:33 - Reasons to Praise, Worship and Serve God.
Romans 11:33 - Reasons to Praise, Worship and Serve God.
Romans 11:33 (NKJV) Oh, the depth of the riches both of the
wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His
ways past finding out!
Romans 11:33 (AMP) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and
knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His
judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious,
undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)!
WORD STUDY
The depth. That is, the immeasurable and inexhaustible
fullness... Paul has reached the climax of his argument. It began with the
condemnation of all (Rom. 1; 2), but it has closed with mercy upon all. The
wrath "revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness" (ch. 1:18) has given place to the mercy that embraces all the
peoples of the earth. This great truth, which Paul has summed up in ch.
11:32, leads him to break forth in acknowledgment of the infinite
wisdom and goodness of God. [SDA Bible Commentary]
Riches. By means of these fathomless resources of glory and
grace God has been able to bring good even out of evil. [SDA Bible
Commentary]
Judgments. Or, "decisions," [SDA Bible Commentary]
Past finding out. literally, "which cannot be traced out." The
only other NT occurrence of this word is in Eph. 3:8. The book of Job
is a commentary on the inscrutable mystery of God's ways (see Job
5:9; 9:10). Some of God's wisdom may be known (Rom. 1:20), but not
all (cf. Eccl. 8:17). Even Paul, with his great intellect and his
keen insight into the things of God, is constrained to acknowledge
that God's decisions and ways are beyond man's limited understanding.
God reveals to us as much of His wisdom and purposes as is for our
best good. Beyond that we must rely upon the ample evidences of His
love, mercy, and power. [SDA Bible Commentary]
CONTEXT: Doxology: Romans 11:33-36.
The theology of Romans 9-11 magnifies God's grace and extols
His sovereignty. Never lose the wonder of your salvation or of the
greatness of God. No matter how deep the valley or difficult the battle, a
vision of God's greatness puts joy in your heart and strength in your
soul. God knows what He is doing even if you do not understand it
fully.
There is a future for Israel; Paul is proof of that (v. 1; 1
Tim. 1:16), and so is Israel's past history (vv. 2-10). God has
always had a believing remnant in Israel, no matter how dark the day.
When you become discouraged about the future of the church and feel
that you may be the only faithful Christian left, read 1 Kings 19 and
focus on God's greatness.
We cannot explain all the purposes and plans of God, but we
can worship and praise Him for who He is (vv. 33-36). The end result
of all Bible study is worship, and the end result of all worship is
service to the God we love. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by
Warren Wiersbe re Rom. 11]
"Doxology" is a compound term from glory and word. Together
they mean a "glorifying word"; an expression of praise that glorifies
God. The doxology that concluded Paul's survey of Israel's
relationship with God and the Gospel expressed praise for the complexity and
beauty of God's plan. It was as if Paul had picked up a diamond cut by
a master craftsman, and saw brilliant lights reflected from a
multitude of facets. And suddenly he would find his heart filled with
praise of the variegated wisdom, the vast knowledge, the intricate
matrix of God's plan. Theologians argue over Israel. Is there a future
for Israel as Israel? Or is Israel today integrated within the
church, which has inherited the ancient promises of the prophets?
Personally I think the church and Israel are separate facets of a single,
beautiful, complex divine plan. I think that this is exactly what Paul
taught in Romans 11:25-32, with his reminder that "all Israel will be
saved" and that God's "gifts and His call are irrevocable." Perhaps
verses 35-36 have an even more direct application to you and me. From
my perspective I can only see a tiny facet of what God is doing in
the world. I see my tiny circle of brothers and sisters. I know the
prayers He answers for us, the little daily miracles He performs. But
all too often I forget that there are literally millions in this
world who experience God as I do. Who see Him at work. And who rejoice
in His goodness. If you or I could travel out in space, we'd see a
globe inhabited now by over 5 billion human beings! And, if we had the
spiritual sight, and each work God performed gave off an instantaneous
flash, this globe would be alight with millions of points of brilliant
light! Perhaps then we would catch a glimpse of the qualities of God
that Paul praised here. And we would say with him, in awe, "Oh, the
depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" And, in
renewed love, we would cry, "To Him be the glory forever! Amen!" [The
365-Day Devotional Commentary]
The doxology that ends this section of Romans is the natural
outpouring of Paul's praise to God, whose wisdom and knowledge brought
about his great plan for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles. [NIV
SB 2008]
COMMENTARY APPLICATION With Emphasis On V. 33:
God alone is the possessor of absolute power and absolute
wisdom. In the final analysis, all of us are absolutely dependent on
God. He is the source of all things, including ourselves. He is the
power that sustains and rules the world that we live in. And God works
out all things to bring glory to himself. The all-powerful God
deserves our praise. [Life Application SB]
Why are there secrets God has not revealed? There are some
secrets God has chosen not to reveal to us, possibly for the following
reasons: (1) our finite minds cannot fully understand the infinite
aspects of God's nature and the universe (Eccl. 3:11); (2) some things
are unnecessary for us to know; and (3) God is infinite and
all-knowing, and we do not have the capacity to know everything he does. This
verse shows that although God has not told us everything there is to
know about obeying him, he has told us enough. Thus disobedience
comes from an act of the will, not a lack of knowledge. Through God's
Word we know enough about him to be saved by faith and to serve him.
[The One Year Bible Companion]
"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those
things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever."
Deuteronomy 29:29. The revelation of Himself that God has given in His word
is for our study. This we may seek to understand. But beyond this
we are not to penetrate. The highest intellect may tax itself until
it is wearied out in conjectures regarding the nature of God, but
the effort will be fruitless. This problem has not been given us to
solve. No human mind can comprehend God. None are to indulge in
speculation regarding His nature. Here silence is eloquence. The Omniscient
One is above discussion. {MH 429.1}
Even the angels were not permitted to share the counsels
between the Father and the Son when the plan of salvation was laid. And
human beings are not to intrude into the secrets of the Most High. We
are as ignorant of God as little children; but, as little children,
we may love and obey Him. Instead of speculating in regard to His
nature or His prerogatives, let us give heed to the words He has
spoken:.....
Neither by searching the recesses of the earth nor in vain
endeavors to penetrate the mysteries of God's being, is wisdom found. It
is found, rather, in humbly receiving the revelation that He has
been pleased to give, and in conforming the life to His will. {MH
431.1}
We will never completely understand God's ways or grasp why He
does what He does, but we can worship Him for the goodness and love
and mercy that He has already shown us! [Life Principles SB By
Charles Stanley]
LINKS TO HOW GREAT THOU ART:
How Great Thou Art By Sandi Patty On Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8BumYH8n1k
How Great Thou Art By Carrie Underwood On Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhvaDJTUmrU&feature=related
