Romans 9:19-29 – God had us in mind all along

In Romans 9:19-29, Paul anticipated further questions from his hearers. He saw them asking this: since God is the One Who controls everything sovereignly, then why does He still find fault with us? Who can resist His will? In other words, how can God hold us accountable when He is the One who is calling all the shots?”

Bear in mind that Paul had just referred to Pharaoh’s hardened heart. In their mind, they were reasoning thus: “Paul, you just said that Pharaoh was controlled to work out God’s plan to bring about God’s glory, then how could he be held accountable? He was in a sense used by God. How can Pharaoh now be held accountable for his actions since God actually used him? Is God fair?”

Paul began to deal with their attitude and sternly answers them in verses 20-22. Summarily, he told them that they had no right to speak that way to the Sovereign God. In challenging God, they supposed that they were smarter than Him, and so had already stepped out of line. It’s undeniable that despite man’s great learning, he pales in significance in comparison to God, Who possesses infinite wisdom and knowledge. How absurd it is for man to talk back to the all-knowing, all-seeing Creator!

Paul then asked would it be possible that in His forbearance, God chose to withhold His wrath on the people that rightly deserve it. In His patience with Pharaoh, the object of His wrath, God had made known the riches of His glory to those whom He would eventually show mercy. In the same way He had shown great patience to people who rightly deserve His wrath, so that in His mercy, He could call forth vessels for His glory, from among the Jews as well as the Gentiles, through His Son Jesus.  

In verses 23-29 Paul quoted two Old Testament passages: Hosea 2:23 And Isaiah 10:22-23. The plan of God for the salvation of the Gentiles was not a last minute haphazard thing. Both the Old Testament portions showed that God had the Gentiles in mind. God had the failure of the Jews and the inclusion of the Gentiles, all in His plan right form the onset.  

Truly before the world began, we were on His mind. Everything He had done had included us. We, His called out ones, can anticipate sharing with His glory forever. With that end in mind, how then should we live? The answer is obvious!