"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements, and his paths beyond tracing out! 'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?' 'Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever! Amen."
Romans 11:33-36 (Part 1)

SO we have come to the end of the long proclamation by Paul of the wonderful and mysterious works of God. In this ascription of praise, we can see Paul has been meditating deeply on the mystery of God's working and ways. He has had in mind, not only these last three chapter – 9 to 11, but the whole revelation of Gospel truth God has made known to Paul, and to which he has been giving testimony all through these first 11 chapters of his letter to the Romans. We see Paul overwhelmed with the greatness and glory of God's purposes of grace, and the mysterious character of these ways. We see the apostle overwhelmed with a sight of the glory and love of God. Even though Paul's words here are exalted, there is a sense in which he knows he is unable to express all that is in his heart, and unable properly to proclaim the worship and wonder that fills his heart. I feel totally inadequate as I contemplate expounding Paul's words. Everything I say must fall short of the heights that Paul raises us to. However Scripture is given to us for the nourishment of our souls, and for this reason we need to do all we can to dig as deep as we can in understanding what it reveals. So let us proceed.

The first thing that has occupied my mind is a matter of translation. In my edition of the New International Version of the Bible in verse 33 I am directed to a footnote which gives an alternative translation of the Greek than the one in the text. This may be a very small point, but I do believe it is important and effects our understanding of the apostles words. In the footnote the beginning of verse 33 goes like this - "Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God." I have consulted the Greek text and this represents exactly what the original Greek says. It is a difference which does make a difference to the meaning of what Paul is expressing.

PAUL'S CONTEMPLATION.

Paul is reviewing all that God has given him to make known - the truth of the Gospel from chapter one to the end of chapter 11. His contemplation has been heighten through the contemplation of the mystery of God's ways he has just been speaking about. From this comes this burst of praise - 'Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God'.

Three things concerning God and his ways with sinners fill Paul's mind. The three are his riches poured out in the Gospel; his wisdom in the provision of redemption revealed in the Gospel; his infinite knowledge as God and creator and redeemer. Let us look at each in turn. But before we do we need to observe how Paul thinks of these attributes of God's redeeming acts. Paul speaks of the depth of the riches, the wisdom, and the knowledge of God. Paul sees things which can be illustrated by looking down a very deep well. As we look, the things nearest are clear, but the further our sight seeks to penetrate the depth of the well, the less distinctly can we see into the well, and then when our sight can see no further, we are left with the sense that we have only touched at what is still to be seen and appreciated. So Paul cries “Oh! The depth ….” He seems to be overcome with what he is able to appreciate and understand, but at the same time is convinced that what he sees, which fills him with praise, is yet only a small proportion of what is there, and which God bestows through the Gospel.

THE DEPTH OF THE RICHES.

Riches always capture both our attention and our desire. But there are different sorts of riches. Some riches are worth so much more and bring so much more satisfaction than others. Riches in money and worldly wealth is much desired, but when obtained frequently don't bring the level of happiness and satisfaction that was hoped for. Then there are riches of love, of contentment, of honour, of occupation, and much more. However the fact is that the riches of the Gospel, which are the riches of God, surpass all other riches in the blessing, joy and satisfaction which they bring. These riches have a depth beyond anything that this world can offer or imagine. The depth stretches from time into eternity.

True riches enhance our quality of life. To have a great deal of money, enough to purchase anything we want, if it does not bring satisfaction and happiness, can hardly be called riches in the best sense of the term. The riches of God, when obtained through faith in Jesus Christ, bring satisfaction which goes beyond all that this world can offer. Jesus spoke of laying up treasure in heaven, and he says of this treasure that moth and rust can not touch or destroy this treasure. Whereas, as Jesus continues to declare, treasure on earth is always subject to decay. Earthly riches can be lost or destroyed, and if it is retained, it can't maintain the joy and satisfaction which it initially brought.

What price can be placed on the riches of full forgiveness of sins. Here is a blessing and an experience which brings total peace. It brings confidence before God. It brings reconciliation with God. It is the forerunner of eternal life, and the gift of heaven. Who can compute the riches of such an inheritance. Nor can such riches ever be lost, for it is founded on the perfect accomplishments of Christ our Saviour, and the promise of God in him. God promises eternal life to all who rest their life and soul entirely on Jesus in complete trust.

What can compare to the riches of the promise of Jesus to his believing people that he has gone to prepare a place in heaven for us. What greater riches can there possibly be than to be chosen by God before the foundation of the world to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to be justified and glorified. And such is this word of truth that our glorification is said to be already achieved, so that all that remains is for us to be called home one day to that eternal future.

What can compare to the tremendous riches of being called children of God, and being heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. How great is the blessed riches of the great love of Christ for us, so great that Christ has said in John 17 that he wants us to be with him for ever in glory.

When we have said all this, we have still only reached the shallows of the riches stored up for us in Christ. What gold it will be to see Jesus face to face, and behold his glory without having to have his glory dimmed by this temporal existence, and the sin which abound around and within us. How blessed it will be when we are presented spotless before the throne of God as the bride of Christ, dressed in the purity of heaven and Christ our Saviour, and joining with the exaltation and praise with all the hosts of heaven.

THE DEPTH OF THE WISDOM OF GOD.

God is full of wisdom. Human being can have great wisdom, which is something greater than mere intellectual excellence; but no wisdom of earth can compare to the wisdom of God. The greatest demonstration of the wisdom of God is in the way he provided our salvation. Who but God could have conceived the perfect way by which we sinners could be saved from the just consequences of our sin.

Human wisdom cannot begin to appreciate the problem of such a task. In our ignorance and weak thinking human beings imagine it is an easy thing for God to forgive us who have rebelled against him. This is because we are unable to appreciate our need as sinners, nor do we begin to appreciate the greatness of God's character and the problems his holiness and love present in the task of finding a way to save sinners from the just consequences of our sin.

God found a way in Christ which exactly and completely upheld all that his character and perfection required, and at the same time could forgive and welcome us who have defiled his holiness, broken his law, and despised his love. Paul has spoken of this wisdom of God, how God in Christ can be just and at the same time justify us who have sinned, throughout this letter. Now he bows in adoration, worship and thanksgiving for the vision of something of the depth of the wisdom of God.

THE DEPTH OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.

The knowledge of God abounds in its infinite greatness. God is the sum and fullness of all knowledge, for he created the world and the universe, and all that is in it. There is nothing to be known that God does not know. Human being may have great knowledge, but such is the greatness of the mass of knowledge, that humans have to concentrate on just one branch of knowledge. God's infinite knowledge embraces all possible knowledge, and this must be so for he is the source of all knowledge.

There is no plumbing the depth of the knowledge of God. All knowledge is his and comes from him. The greatest of this knowledge in God is his knowledge that made our salvation possible.

CONCLUSION.

Oh, the depth … Paul is overwhelmed by the glory of God, his riches, wisdom and knowledge, which through the Holy Spirit he has been able to know and appreciate. In his telling forth of this depth throughout this letter so far, he has dug deep for us, and opened up our eyes and understanding. Together with this the Holy Spirit has been the author of our appreciation of this depth in and from God.

But Paul still stands back with a sense of how little he has yet been granted to perceive, and the depth still to be known. What he does know brings forth from his lips great and last praise and thanksgiving, mixed with wonder at the depth still to know and understand.

How great is the riches, and wisdom and knowledge in God. In all eternity we will never be able to reach the end of it all, so eternity will never lose its joy, peace, satisfaction and purpose.