Page 14 - June 2025 - Truth & Tidings

Read Romans 9:14-26 the LORD said to Moses, ‘Pharaoh’s heart
The next paragraph commences with is stubborn; he refuses to let the people
this question, “Is there unrighteousness go’” (NASB).
with God?” (Rom 9:14). In other words, In verses 19-24, Paul provides the evi-
1
does God have the right to choose one dence of God’s sovereign rights as Creator.
and reject the other? Verses 15-29 answer Paul once again anticipates objections to
that question. Verses 15-18 present the his argument: “You will say to me then,
facts: “For he saith to Moses, I will have ‘Why does he still find fault? For who
mercy on whom I will have mercy, and can resist his will?’” (v19 ESV). Here,
I will have compassion on whom I will I believe the ESV gives us the sense of
have compassion.” This statement sum- Paul’s response. The verb “to resist” is in
marizes these verses and presents God’s the perfect tense, which expresses a past
claim of sovereign rights. We will not go act with continuing results, and is often
into the details for the sake of space. In translated by the present tense. Also, the
verse 17 Paul uses the example of Pharaoh, word for “will” expresses God’s sovereign
quoting from Exodus 9:16, “In very deed will. Since God’s will is sovereign, none
for this cause have I raised thee up, for can resist it. So, why does God find fault?
to shew in thee my power; and that my One of the greatest objections of the Jews
name may be declared throughout all the to the gospel is the fact that it was being
earth.” However, this is said in light of offered to the Gentiles as well as to the
Pharaoh’s statement in Exodus 5:2, “Who Jews (v24). Paul challenges their right to
is the LORD, that I should obey his voice object, since God is sovereign (v20). Then,
to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, in verses 20-21, Paul uses the illustration
neither will I let Israel go.” Also, while of the potter working on the wheel: “Shall
God told Moses that He would harden the thing formed say to him that formed
Pharaoh’s heart (Exo 4:21), in actual fact, it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not
Pharaoh hardened his own heart initially. the potter power over the clay, of the same
In Exodus 7:13-14 we read, “Yet Pharaoh’s lump to make one vessel unto honour,
heart was hardened, and he did not listen and another unto dishonour?” Surely, the
to them, just as the LORD had said. Then potter has the right to produce whatever
kind of vessel he wishes to make. Take
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the note of the use of the terms “honour” and
KJV unless otherwise noted. “dishonour.” What does Paul mean by

174 TRUTH kTidings June 2025