Romans 9:14-26
God’s Sovereign Choice

Today, 03/29/2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in Romans 9:14-26.

14 What then shall we say? Is there not unrighteousness with God? Let it not be!

15 For He said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will pity whomever I will pity.” Ex. 33:19

16 So, then, it is not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of the One showing mercy, of God.

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very thing I raised you up, so that I might display My power in you, and so that My name might be publicized in all the earth.” Ex. 9:16

18 So, then, to whom He desires, He shows mercy. And to whom He desires, He hardens.

19 You will then say to me, Why does He yet find fault? For who has resisted His will?

20 Yes, rather, O man, who are you answering against God? Shall the thing formed say to the One forming it, Why did You make me like this? Isa. 29:16

21 Or does not the potter have authority over the clay, out of the one lump to make one vessel to honor, and one to dishonor? Jer. 18:6

22 But if God, desiring to demonstrate His wrath, and to make His power known, endured in much long-suffering vessels of wrath having been fitted out for destruction,

23 and that He make known the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy which He before prepared for glory,

24 whom He also called, not only us, of Jews, but also out of nations.

25 As also He says in Hosea, I will call those Not My people, My people! And those not beloved, Beloved! Hosea 2:23

26 “And it shall be, in the place where it was said to them, You are not My people, there they will be called, “Sons of the Living God.” LXX-Hos. 2:1; MT-Hos. 2:23

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Suggested Questions:

1. Why does God show mercy to whom He wants to show mercy, and hardens the heart of whom He wants to harden, and it is still considered righteous?

2. If God only calls the people of Israel and not other nations, is it still considered righteous? Why?

3. If God does not grant salvation to humanity, is He still considered righteous?

4. God has absolute power over all things, but He does not use that power to go against His loving, holy, and righteous nature. Can the fact that God grants salvation to humanity be used to prove this truth?

Suggested Applications:

1. What do you feel about sovereign choice?

2. Do you fear that God might use His sovereign choice to abandon you? Why?

3. What is your attitude towards God’s sovereign choice?