The Wisdom and Knowledge of God

10 July 2022 AM – Romans 11:33-36 – Rom2022 – Scott Childs
Introduction: In Romans 10, Israel had heard the way of righteousness by faith, but they rejected it. God said in Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” However, Israel as a nation rejected Christ’s offer.
            As Romans 11 opens, Paul assures us that God did not cast away his people (v.1). They have not fallen from God’s care (v.11). Instead, through their rejection, salvation is offered to the Gentiles. God’s desire is that the salvation of Gentiles might provoke the Jews to jealousy. One preacher illustrated it this way. Israel dropped the ball and the Gentiles picked it up and took possession of it; however, Israel did not quit and leave the field.
            Paul reminded the Gentiles that if God cut off Israel as branches on His olive tree and grafted in Gentile branches, they must not boast (v.17-18). If the Gentiles did not continue to believe, God could easily cut off their branches and again graft in Israel’s branches (v.22-23).
            Israel’s blindness is only temporary until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. The moment that the last Gentle that God foreknows will be saved trusts Christ; the fullness of the Gentiles will end. During the Tribulation, many of the Jews will believe on Christ and be saved (v.26).
            So far in the book of Romans, Paul explained God’s Righteousness Needed (Ro 1:18-3:20); Provided (Ro 3:21-5:21); Imparted (Ro 6:1-7:25); Assured (Ro 8:1-39); and Vindicated as he dealt with Israel in their Past Election, in their Present Rejection, and in their Future Salvation (Ro 9:1-11:36). All that God has done for us is overwhelming. Paul felt the same way. Thus, he concluded this section with a doxology to God – A paragraph of praise to God for His greatness. Warren Wiersbe adds, “Having contemplated God’s great plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles, all Paul could do was sing a hymn of praise.” Bible Expository Commentary 1:553
Transition: This morning, I want us to focus our attention on the doxology in Romans 11:33-36, that we too might sing it.
  1. God’s wisdom and knowledge are praiseworthy.
a.         The depth of God’s wisdom is incomprehensible.
1)         All wisdom belongs to God. (Deuteronomy 29:29) “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God…” (Colossians 2:3) “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.“
2)         Solomon wrote, (Proverbs 2:6) “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.“
3)         God’s wisdom is far deeper than we can possibly comprehend. This reminds me of (Proverbs 20:5) “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.” If counsel in the heart of man is like a deep well, how much deeper is the wisdom of God.
4)         A.T. Robertson wrote, “Paul’s argument concerning God’s …goodness has carried him to the heights and now he pauses on the edge of the precipice as he contemplates God’s wisdom and knowledge, fully conscious of his inability to sound the bottom with the plummet of human reason and words.” (Robertson p. 400, qtd by Dunagan)
b.         The depth of God’s knowledge is incomprehensible.
1)         God knows all there is to know about all things. The Psalmist put this fact this way in Psalms 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” Solomon in his wisdom said, (Proverbs 15:3) “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Speaking of His divine knowledge, Jesus said, (Matthew 10:30) “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.“
2)         God knows the sinful condition of our souls. He knows that we cannot change that sinful condition ourselves. He wisely devised His perfect plan of redemption for sinful mankind through the substitutionary death and resurrection of His Son.
3)         God’s knowledge is so deep (and so high, as the word also implies) that we can never reach its depth, nor can we ever climb to its summit. Pondering God’s knowledge of all that takes place in our lives, the Psalmist said, (Psalms 139:6) “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.“
c.          Because of God’s wisdom and knowledge, He deserves our praise.
1)         As Paul meditated on what God had inspired him to write in Romans 1-11 about various aspects of salvation, he bowed his knees in praise to God.
2)         We also owe Him our utmost praise.
2.        God’s judgments and ways are praiseworthy.
a.         God’s judgments cannot be searched out.
1)         God’s judgments are His decisions, His degrees, and His condemnations. Every decision God has ever made has been perfect. What a contrast to our frail attempts to make right decisions!
2)         The Psalmist describes God’s judgments for us. (Psalms 19:9) “… the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” (Psalms 119:75) “I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right …” (Psalms 119:137) “Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.“
a)         Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor? (v.34). This comes from Isaiah 40:13-14. No one is so intelligent that he can counsel God.
b)         Who has given to God so that God must repay him? (v.35). This comes from Job 41:11. God is a debtor to no man. Everything that exists belongs to Him.
3)         God’s judgments are inscrutable (i.e., they are difficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom or interpret). He has perfect understanding in every situation. Our minds struggle to grasp such perfect judgment.
b.         God’s ways are untraceable.
1)         God’s ways are the paths that He follows. Not only is God a Spirit that we cannot see; He is also in all places at the same time. The ways of God may denote His mode or manner of doing things. Barnes No man can track these either. A.T. Robertson’s rightly notes, “Some of God’s tracks he has left plain to us, but others are beyond us.”
2)         They are past finding out. His movements are impossible to trace.
c.          Because of God’s judgments and ways, He deserves our praise.
1)         Our great God has initiated and guided all that is just and right.
2)         All this is beyond us and He deserves our praise.
3.        God’s providence is praiseworthy.
a.         He is the source of all things (v.36)
1)         All things are out from (ἐξ) Him.
2)         Nothing could exist without God. He alone is eternal. He is the source of life. He is the source of time, matter and space. (Colossians 1:17) “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.“
b.         He is the creator of all things.
1)         All things are through (δι’) Him.
2)         Christ created all that exists. (John 1:3) “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.“
c.          He is the receiver of all things.
1)         All things are unto (εἰς) Him.
2)         He sourced and created all things for His good pleasure (Re 4:11; Col 1:16). (Colossians 1:16) “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:“
Conclusion: God is worthy of our praise because of the unreachable wealth of his wisdom and knowledge, His unsearchable judgments and untraceable ways, and His mighty providence. His plan of salvation is amazing and flawless. It is greater than we will ever comprehend this side of heaven. We owe him our most sincere praise.
Song: Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty – 13