God's Act of Mercy

Romans 9:1-29

I almost had an "Oh, no!" moment when I read this passage back in early October. The subject of election and predestination was continued, and Paul's choice of Scripture reference almost baffled me. I almost thought that everything I wrote for yesterday was wrong. But I settled down and asked God for clarity.

Verses 11 and 12 again emerge with the theme that some would see mercy (the elect) and some would not (like the clan of Esau). Reading it this way, one could conclude that God had predestined Esau's fate, a fate without mercy, but to do so takes these verses out of context.

First, Paul is anguished with the fate of Israel. Many just denied Christ, yet many more had been law practicing Jews without a faith practice. They liked the law more than they liked God. The law was their faith. They obeyed the law out of selfish ambition, not out of honor for God.

The Jews had it all if you look at verses 1-5. But in verse 6, Paul unveils the travesty that some Jews were Jew in name only. He compares these people to the children of Abraham and Isaac.

It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Romans 9:6 (NIV)

God's will for Abraham's son was the revelation of God's glory. Abraham forced the issue and had a son with another woman. This son was not the one God had "elected" or chosen. Isaac would be born later for God's purpose.

A similar thing happens with Isaac's children. Twins were to be born but God had chosen (elected) the one He wanted to carry forth His plan. Esau was born first and by tradition should have become the patriarch of the family. God choose Jacob instead. God was revealing His sovereignty over man's traditions.

The kicker statement comes from a quote from the prophet Malachi, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." Here is where many people insist on predetermination or predestination. I say that this passage is taken out of context by many people. When reading Malachi, one finds out that "Esau" is referring to the lineage of Esau. God hated what the clan had become and its rejection of Him.

"I have loved you," says the Lord.
"But you ask, 'How have you loved us?'
"Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" the Lord says. "Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals."
Malachi 1:2-3 (NIV)

Through all of this God never refused mercy to Ishmael or Esau. They choose their own path and relied on their own works. Their family lines rejected God. God therefore showed mercy on those who choose Him. He had compassion on those who followed after Him.

For he says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." Romans 9:15 (NIV)

The people of Israel lost sight of this. They were His chosen people. They were the people He chose to use to reveal Himself or re-introduce Himself to all mankind. But they stopped practicing mercy, and they stopped living in faith. They depended on themselves and forget God's perfect will and His mercy.

It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. Romans 9:16 (NIV)

So God went on with His plan to bring salvation to the world despite the lack of effort on the part of Israel. He sent His Son to reveal salvation, and in His mercy. He even used Israel as His starting point.

Some people are chosen for noble endeavors while others are chosen for common tasks. All have equal access to God's mercy.

Election does not have to do with predetermination. It has everything to do with God's mercy. God uses people in various ways to show His mercy. He raises up nations and causes the calamity of others. He raises up leaders and causes the fall of others. All are acts of mercy whether in wrath to draw men to His mercy or in peace to reveal His mercy.

God is the potter. He is the Creator. He is love. He is very active in drawing people to Him. He uses many means to do so, even the remnants of hope after great devastation!

It is just as Isaiah said previously:

"Unless the Lord Almighty
had left us descendants,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have been like Gomorrah."
Romans 9:29 (NIV)

• How does it feel to know that God's plan for salvation includes all people?
• Does your faith walk rely on God's Spirit for guidance? What is the hardest thing about following God's Comforter? How can you correct it?
  
• Does God's mercy direct you in how you deal with others?
• Can you see how God was operating in your life during a past or recent tragedy? What can you look back on that shows you His acts of love?