"One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" (Romans 9:19-21)

Human nature wants to ask why of God? Why do you have the right to blame us? Why do you have the right to judge us? Why do you still find fault with us if you will is carried out whether or not we choose to participate in it? Why is our question? Paul knew we would immediately start asking these questions so addresses these objection before they could even be made. His answer cuts to the heart of mankind's self centered focus, "who are you, O man, to talk back to God?" How can you even consider yourselves above God to question him in this manner? How can you pretend to know something in relation to what God knows? Paul gives a startling reminder of our place in relation to who God is. When asking questions of the Lord, we have no right to criticize, contradict and put ourselves above God. Asking questions and seeking answers is perfectly acceptable and God will answer and reveal these things to us. However, quarreling and accusing God of not being just and treating us unfairly is not acceptable. We have to remember who we are in relation to who God is. We cannot impute God's character for the sake of our own.

Paul uses an illustration of a potter to prove his point. A potter molds the clay into various bowls, plates and vessels. The potter knows what he is making and what purpose it will serve. If the clay is good and pliable he is able to make beautiful pottery from it. Some clay isn't as good and so it is useful for other common things, but quality determines the outcome of many pieces. The potter chooses the right clay to bring about special pieces. He identifies the superiority of clay and that determines what the finished product will be. The same is true for us, our heart determines the outcome of what God shapes us to be. If our heart is right and pliable before him and willing to be shaped he will use it build us into the perfect piece of beauty, distinction and it will be used honorably. However, if our hearts resist him, his will, and further more want nothing to do with him, the outcome does not even compare to what it could be. He can still use it for his overall purpose but our free will determines the type of vessel we become. And many become vessels of common use, so God cannot be blamed for that, nor is He unjust in his dealing with them in this way.

As humans we have our logic backwards. We blame God for a lot of things that fall solely upon our shoulders. Isaiah said, "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me?" Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"? ( Isaiah 29:16 ). Paul knew that this too would be our argument and so he reminds us that God is not unjust in His dealings with us and that he knows and understands more than we do. Isaiah went on to say, "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, "What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'?" ( Isaiah 49:9 ). Potsherd was fragments of broken pottery, and Isaiah is reminding us that without God that is what we are. When we call God's character into question it is like broken pottery on the ground second guessing the Almighty God. Paul reminds us we have no right to do that.

With God, it is always a matter of the heart. When we seek and ask questions of the Lord based on a pure heart, we can be sure that he will answer us and bring understanding to us. It is important to remember that our value is based in Him. I am confident that even if you look around right not and see broken pottery, a life in ruin because of certain choices in life, God is able to make all grace abound in you. He is able to take those pieces and work them into a beautiful vessel of noble use. The key is to be soft and pliable before him. Remind yourself that he is a master potter and knows how to work beautiful pieces. Remind yourself that He knows how to bring healing and restoration to you and let him begin his work. Today, I am so thankful for His amazing work in my life. I am thankful that he knows incredibly more than I do. Today, may you get a glimpse of the majesty of God in a personal way and submit to it. Become clay in his hand and you will love the beautiful vessel you become, amen.

Previous: Romans 9:17-18  Next: Romans 9:22-23

Original article published January 15, 2010.

"For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden" (Romans 9:17-18)

A passage of scripture such as this can be difficult to understand and reconcile in your heart unless you look at scripture as a whole. It is important to understand God's nature and man's free will in relation to a statement such as this. In the context of Romans 9, Paul is teaching that just because Israel was the natural descendants of the covenant made with Abraham, it did not automatically include them in the promise. The offspring of the promise came through faith in Jesus. Mankind is faced with a choice, to believe in this message and be saved or to reject it and be condemned. God has elected those who have chosen him based upon his foreknowledge of their choice ( Romans 9:11 ). But in the same way, his power and mercy will be displayed in those who reject him as well ( Romans 9:23 ). Because in His foreknowledge He knows the end from the beginning and works to bring His plan to fulfillment and to display his power.

Paul uses the example of Pharaoh in today's passage. God's mighty power was displayed over and over while he brought the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. Over the centuries, people still recount the events that took place in during this time. At the time of Pharaoh, everyone knew that the God of Moses was the only true God because of the incredible display of power. The scriptures say that God raised up Pharaoh for the very purpose of displaying His incredible power and making His name great ( Exodus 9:16 ). In today's passage Paul tells us that God hardens the hearts of those he wants to make his name great, which is exactly what happened to Pharaoh ( Romans 9:18 ). However, it is important to understand that in this whole process Pharaoh had amble opportunities to repent and let God's people go. He saw the countless displays of God's power and instead of softening his heart towards God, he hardened it. He had free will in the matter but he chose not to respond to God. After a certain point, he was past the point where he could even respond to God and therefore God harden his heart so maximum power could be displayed in what he did. It is important to understand it all started with Pharaohs choice to disregard God and not God's choice to harden Pharaoh's heart.

God is able to bring good out of evil. In our own time God used the atrocities of Hitler to bring the nation of Israel back into possession of their promised land. Hitler was faced with a choice the same as Pharaoh, but it is evident in his tyrannical reign that he chose to reject God and hardened his heart towards him. He walked further and further away from God's mercy and because of his choice to reject God and walk in such evil, God used his choices in life to display his power in the end and bring about good from it. God did not cause Hitler to massacre the Jews, nor was it His will to do so. But God's power was evident in the outcome of the horrible event by them coming into possession of their land. God could have brought the Israelites back to the land in thousands of ways but in is infinite power he was able to work through an agent of the devil to accomplish his will and ultimate plan, even though Hitler had free will in the matter.

Hitler has a choice same as Pharaoh. You have a choice as well. God has sent the Holy Spirit into the world to call and bring people unto himself. He starts from a very early age, speaking grace to us and softening our hearts towards God. Then when we hear the gospel message proclaimed we either respond to it and accept this good news or we reject it and walk away from it. Our choices in life dictate the outcome, God will not overrule your free will. We have many opportunities in this life to come to him, the Holy Spirit will convict and draw you to God. However, the more times you reject him, the harder your hearts become towards him. When this happens, there is a point where the Holy Spirit stops calling. This is called being reprobate. The only way you get in this position is by choice, by free will. This is why the writer of Hebrews said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..." ( Hebrews 3:15 ). Don't let your heart get hard towards God, soften it before him so that you can accept this gospel message.

In yesterday's verse, Paul said, "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy" ( Romans 9:16 ). God is merciful towards you. He loves you and His desire is that you will come to him. Today, if you have never made responded to His call, do not harden your heart but accept with gladness the gospel message which has the power to save you. Today, I rejoice in the fact that I am saved. God's power will be displayed in my life because I am His child and my will is His own. Today, may the Lord bring you revelation of this important truth, amen!

Previous: Romans 9:16  Next: Romans 9:19-21

Original article published January 14, 2010.