ROMANS Study Guide

whomever he wants. Vs.15 (Also Ex.33:19b)

b) God does not base his mercy or his selecting of family on

t he bases of man’s will or his works (i.e. intense human

effort). God’s selection (election) is never on the bases of

human will and effort (flesh). It is God’s sovereign decision.

vs.16

3) Another illustration Paul uses: Ex.9:17

a) Pharaoh was raised up by God… using his hard (or stubborn)

heart to demonstrate his great power to all the nations. But was

Pharaoh a “pawn in a great cosmic game?”

b) Paul declares that Pharaoh’s heart was “Hardened” (made

stubborn) by God. (vs.18) Here again, Paul develops the

idea that God has the right to do whatever he feels needs

to be done in light of his “purposes” (eternal goals) … to

either show mercy or render stubborn those he is dealing

with. But remember, God lives in eternity and is responding

to our decisions. God worked with Pharaoh’s decision . When he

s aw Pharaoh’s heart He then gave him over to his stubborn pride.

Rom 9:19 You will then say to me, why does He yet find fault? For who has resisted His will? Rom 9:20 No, but, O man, who are you who replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him who formed it, why have you made me this way? Rom 9:21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel to honor and another to dishonor? Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much long- suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. Rom 9:23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy which He had before prepared to glory. Rom 9:24 whom He also called, not only us, of Jews, but also of the nations?

c) Paul brings up a second argument: vs.19-24

(1) The argument is …” well then how can God blame Pharaoh for

doing what he has set him up to do. How could Pharaoh resist