“They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.” -Romans 9:4
In verses 4 and 5, Paul expounds his reasons for being willing to sacrifice himself for his kinsmen, if it were possible and if it meant they would be saved. The list is expansive and detailed.
First, to them belong the adoption. The adoption of sons Paul has been discussing in previous verses, an adoption to which all believers we destined to be made part, was first manifest and exercised with the people of Israel. Throughout the OT, Israel was called God’s son (Exod 4:22, Isa 63:8; Jer 3:19, Hos 11:1).
Second, theirs is the glory. The glory refers to that divine glory, the Shekinah glory revealed in the wilderness in a pillar of fire and a pillar of cloud, at Sinai, and when the temple was filled with the glory of God. No other people or nation received such a revelation of glory (Exod 16:10; 24:15–17; 40:34–35; Lev 9:6, 23; Num 14:10; 16:19, 42; 20:6; Deut 5:24, 1 Kgs 8:11; 2 Chr 5:13–14; 7:1–3). It is also the glory that will be manifest in the New Jerusalem, the consummated kingdom of Christ (Zech 2:5; Isa 60:19; Ezek 43:2, 4–5; 44:4).
Third, theirs is also the covenants. Using the plural, Paul seems to have in mind the covenant revealed and expanded through the ages (Noahaic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, David, and ultimately, the New Covenant with Christ).
Fourth, they were on the receiving end of he giving of the law. The Law of God was chief among the other privileges given to the Jews that made them distinct among the nations (Deuteronomy 4:5-8).
Fifth was the form of worship. To the Jews was given the sacrificial system of Tabernacle/temple worship which allowed their sins to be forgiven and gave them an open door to God’s throne room. Not only this but also the Sabbath and Shema were part of their system of worship. All of this pointed to the Christ, his ultimate sacrifice for sins on the cross, and the rest we receive in him for all eternity.
Sixth are the promises. All the promises given to God’s people were first given to the Israelites, promises of blessing and fruitfulness in land and progeny (i.e., fruit of the ground and fruit of the womb). Further, the Israelites were given the promise of being the source of blessing for all the nations of the earth (Gen. 12:2–3; 18:18; 22:18; 26:14; Acts. 3:25).
But wait! There’s still more….