ROMANS 9
8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. – Romans 9:8-18
ROMANS 9 GOD’S ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY
In this letter, Paul explains to the church in Rome that God has absolute sovereignty over all things he created. We humans have a tendency to question things we don’t understand. Paul wants to focus on God’s total preference on whomever he wants to bless. Only God alone knows what is best for us. Paul explains the promise of God to those whom he elects. He cites the example of Jacob and Esau. Even though Esau was the firstborn, he wasn’t God’s choice to bring forth the promised offspring. It was in Jacob that he fulfilled his promise to Abraham. Often, we do not understand why God chooses someone and not another person. He is God after all and he created all things, sees all things and has control over everything. Verse 15 has been considered a hard saying to fathom especially for those who do not know God’s sovereignty. Many unbelievers try to understand it from a human standpoint and may interpret it as God having favorites. Another example like this is Cain and Abel. He accepted Abel’s offering but not Cain’s because Abel did worship God the right way, while Cain didn’t offer the best. God doesn’t need to explain his choices to us. He is sovereign and he will deliver all his plans and promises according to his will.
REFLECTION
- What could be hard to understand for unbelievers regarding God’s election?
