Note: Russell Ebbs in the Testimony Magazine, June 2000, in an article entitled “Structural Symmetry in the Bible” shows that the four OT quotations in Romans 9:25-29 have an ABBA pattern in regard to the promises to Abraham of a seed and a land.
A. – the seed.
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
B. the land
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
B’. the land
27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
A’. the seed
29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.