Daily Word

As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Romans 9:13-15. Paul explains by citing two biblical texts (Ex.33:19, 9:16) from which he concludes that God is righteous in showing mercy to some while he hardens His heart to others. When God shows mercy it is not a person receiving a reward earned by one’s own efforts, but God’s sovereign free grace extended to persons who are morally incapable of any acceptable effort. God owes mercy to none, so there is no injustice when mercy is not shown. Mercy is a divine prerogative; it rests on God’s good pleasure. When God “hardens” Pharaoh’s heart, He does not create fresh evil in it, but gives Pharaoh over to his already evil desires as an act of judgment, resulting eventually in God’s display of “power” in the destruction of Pharaoh’s army. What is it exactly about this passage that makes you feel a little uncomfortable; has it become clear to you yet that there are some who are not chosen by God?