NGH BIBLE STUDY – ROMANS – OUTLINE #20
The Prerogative of Divine Mercy (Romans 9:14-29)
This section deals with the question of God’s righteousness in his sovereign dealings with Israel and the other nations. Paul provides answers to two key questions –
(1) Are God’s sovereign choices unfair? (Rom 9:14-18),
(2) If God is ultimately sovereign, then how can we be held responsible? (Rom 9:19-24). The section then concludes with Paul pointing out that OT prophecy anticipated (and predicted) Gentile inclusion in divine blessing along with the preservation of a remnant in Israel.
Outline
Rom 9:14-18 – God’s Sovereignty in no way diminishes his righteousness
• God is perfectly free to show mercy to whomever he will – he owes mercy to nobody – but it is his perfect prerogative to show mercy when he chooses (Exodus 33 – Israel after the Golden Calf incident)
• Example of Pharaoh – Pharoah hardened his own heart – then God judicially hardened it – all for the purpose of showing his power throughout the earth. God can use evil leaders to further his purposes.
Rom 9:19-24 – The Potter and the Clay
• The creature doesn’t have the right to question the creator as to his sovereign purpose.
• This passage is not so much dealing with the philosophical question of the origin of evil – but it is pointing out that God uses its existence to demonstrate his wrath, to make his power known, and to display the riches of his mercy and grace. Humankind faces judgment and wrath as a result of their own choices – not a Divine predetermination. The fact that God chooses to show mercy to some who don’t deserve it does not make him unrighteous.
Rom 9:25-29 – The Calling of the Gentiles and the Preservation of a Remnant in Israel was foretold
• The OT anticipated, in a general way, that Gentiles would be blessed – although it did not specifically describe the church age in which Jew and Gentile would be brought together on the same ground with no distinction.
• As chapter 11 will show, Israel still possesses national covenant promises that remain to be fulfilled, and will be fulfilled, to a believing remnant.
Key Points/Questions for Discussion
1. Paul anticipates the critics’ question in Rom 9:14 – “How can God be righteous if he chooses some for blessing while passing over others – without regard for their merit or actions?” How does this passage help us answer such a criticism?
2. Why is it important to recognize the sequential order of “Pharoah hardening his own heart” and “The Lord hardening Pharoah’s heart”? Does God arbitrarily determine who will perish?
3. Does God’s sovereignty remove human responsibility for their choices? (examples would include Pharoah, Israel as a nation)
4. Why is it important to note the consistency in God’s promises by pointing out that his intention was always to include Gentiles in blessing while not compromising his covenant promises to the Nation of Israel? (Hint – God doesn’t change his mind or recall his promises – he always remains faithful)