10Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15For he says to Moses,“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17For 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.” 18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.–Romans 9
For [God] chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:4)
- God chose Jacob over Esau before they had done anything.
- God therefore chose based upon His choice rather than reacting to their choices.
- God chose to harden Pharaoh for a specific purpose.
- God chooses to show mercy to some and to harden others.
- There are some who do not like the concept of predestination. Those people also are not fans of election.
- What makes more sense, though, regarding your salvation? Is God the ultimate chooser or you? Please read the above Ephesians verse again.
- If you are the chooser, then the sovereign God is limited to wait upon your choice. If God, then His election of you reveals a wonderful plan for you that He has always had. Many have wrestled with Romans chapter 9. I invite you to do the same.–JMB
Joel M Bradshaw 
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