Again it has to do with what God’s completed purpose for his people is. What does he want them to end up like? Where does he want them to end up? The fact that God had made such wonderful and repeated promises to his people is what caused Paul such anguish.
How come God’s promises didn’t seem to be working out? How come the people of God weren’t taking on board the great blessings that came through the Messiah? Had something gone wrong? And if so what was it?
Was God’s great predestination for his people going to fail? And what were the implications for the rest of the human race?
At stake is the reliability of God. And his ability to do what he said he would. It is a question that we struggle with. If the gospel is so powerful, how come not very many people believe it? If God wants his church to grow, why doesn’t it?
What is the answer? There are many possible answers, but only one that will answer the case. That is, that it is God who has promised and it is God who will do what he says. How he does it, and when he does it, is up to him.
The history of God’s dealing with his people shows this to be true. It shows also that God usually does things in such a way as to show that it is actually him who is doing it. He keeps on demonstrating that he can be relied on.
Dale