Lesson 2009

(Lesson 2009)(05-03-17) Romans 9:14-23

"What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,"

Todays quote is the first of a two part lesson concerning the predisposition, or predestination, of some throughout the history of mankind.

Herein, Paul pointed out that Pharaoh, like many who are mentioned in the bible, was predisposed to stand against the will of God so that God could teach the Jews a lesson while also demonstrating His omnipotence to the rest of the world.

Judas Escariot was also doomed from the beginning because God chose him to the vessel that betrayed Jesus to die.

In essence, the first part of this lesson establishes that God used a few certain men/women to work evil so that the failure of mankind to abide by the will of God could be established and so that the ultimate good (eternal redemption) could be afforded to the many. "Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth."~

NOTE: We will continue this lesson tomorrow.