Returning to the book of Romans, it would serve us well to understand why Paul wrote Romans 9-11. Clearly marked off by topic from what has come before, is this section just another topic, or a necessary discussion because of what has come before? Considering all the promises that Paul outlined in Romans 8, surely we could ask the question, "Well, what about the promises to Israel? Their promises failed; won't ours as well?" Paul's unflinching reply--it is not as though the Word of God has failed!