Is God Evil? Does He Decide Who Is Saved? Romans 9

Rom 9:11 – Election

Romans 9:11 – For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;

This election is not talking about being chosen for salvation.

ELECTION
eklogē (ek-log-ay')
From G1586; (divine) selection (abstractly or concretely): - chosen, election.

Let’s look at the context of this verse.

Romans 9:6-9 – Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

Only some of Abraham's descendants are true children of Abraham in the promise God made with him, those born through Isaac. Isaac was the son born through God's promise to Abraham, the heir through whom Abraham would become the father of many nations. He was the sole legitimate recipient of the divine covenant.

Genesis 17:18-21 – And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

God decided to make a covenant with a specific child of Abraham, Isaac. The descendants of Abraham's other sons did not share in this inherited promise. Abraham had eight sons, one through Hagar, one through Sarah, and six through Keturah. Let's look at the context around verse 11.

Romans 9:10-12 – And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived [twins] by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

God make a promise to Abraham through his son Isaac. From Isaac’s twin sons, he chose Jacob's/Israel's lineage, not Esau’s.

Before the twins were born, God told Rebecca, “The older (Esau) will serve the younger (Jacob/Israel).” This was before the boys had done anything good or bad. God said this before they were born so that the boy he wanted would be chosen because of God's own plan. This verse is not talking about God predestining people to be saved.

Rom 9:13-14 – Esau I Hated

Romans 9:13-14 – As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

HATED
miseō (mis-eh'-o)

From a primary word μῖσος misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension to love less: - hate (-ful).

This does not mean that God rejected Esau for salvation. It simply indicates that Esau was not chosen by God to be the heir to the promise. God simply preferred Jacob to be the ancestor of the promised Messiah. God chose the nation of Israel to receive the covenants and inheritance, while rejecting or not choosing the nation of Edom, descended from Esau.

In this next verse, we can see that in this context, "hate" is used to mean to love less by comparison.

Luke 14:26 – If any man come to me, and hate (miseō) not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Jesus is using hyperbole to emphasize the importance of our commitment to Him. Jesus is asking for our complete and total devotion to Him, even above our closest relationships and our own desires. This does not mean we are to literally hate our family, but rather to prioritize our love and devotion to God above all else.

Here is another example of how the word hate is used to mean loved less.

Genesis 29:30-31 – And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

Rom 9:14-16 – Choice Not Dependent On Human Will

Romans 9:14-16 – What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses (Exodus 33:19), I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Here we see the context is about God giving his mercy and compassion, not about salvation. Receiving God's mercy and compassion isn't earned through our will or hard work. Experiencing God's mercy depends solely on his decision. God shows mercy to whomever He chooses. It is His sovereign gift.

Exodus 33:19 – And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Rom 9:17 – Raise Up

Romans 9:17 – For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

God made Pharaoh king so that He could show His power through him. It doesn’t say that God created Pharaoh for destruction. God wanted someone who would resist him, which is why he raised Pharaoh. Paul is referring to the event in Exodus.

Exodus 9:13-16 – And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

If God had wanted to, he could have struck Pharaoh and his people with pestilence and wiped them out. This verse shows the power and authority of God, as well as His mercy and patience. Despite the disobedience and stubbornness of Pharaoh, God chose to show His power through the plagues, ultimately bringing about the release of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Rom 9:18 – Harden

Romans 9:18 – Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

God hardened Pharaoh's heart, not so that he could never be saved, but so that he would continue to not listen, to ensure that Pharaoh would not simply let the Israelites leave Egypt, and for God to show his power.

Exodus 7:3-4 – And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart if it meant harsher punishment for Egypt? Pharaoh was already an evil man who ordered the killing of babies, enslaved and abused Israel, and led a nation that did not oppose his harsh treatment of the Israelites. Pharaoh was not an innocent or godly man.

Exodus 1:15-16 – And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

Exodus 1:11-14 – Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

Exodus 5:4-23 – And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words. And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore? Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people. But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD. Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks. And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.

Exodus 5:23 – For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people;...

Exodus 2:23 – And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

The word used for harden doesn’t mean that Pharaoh’s heart was made to be evil.

HARDEN
châzaq (khaw-zak')
A primitive root; to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen:

HARDEN
qâshâh (kaw-shaw')
A primitive root; properly to be dense, that is, tough or severe (in various applications): - be cruel, be fiercer, make grievous, be ([ask a], be in, have, seem, would) hard (-en, [labour], -ly, thing), be sore, (be, make) stiff (-en, [-necked]).

God is firming it, he is solidifying his heart in it’s current position. Pharaoh's heart is already defiant and rebellious, God is only stiffening it’s posture.

Pharaoh already decided that he would not release Israel from slavery before God hardened his heart. In this next verse, we see Pharaoh exercising his own free will to rebel against God's command by hardening his heart.

Exodus 5:1-2 – And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Exodus 4:21 – And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

Exodus 7:3 – And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

Notice that Pharaoh's heart has not been hardened yet, God is saying that he will do that in the future.However, this hardening is also in fulfillment of what God had said He would sovereignly do: ensure that Pharaoh would not simply let the Israelites leave Egypt.

Here is the order in which the hardening of his heart happened.

Exodus 7:8-14 – And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.

In this verse it does not mention whether Pharaoh hardened his own heart or if God hardened his heart.

Exodus 7:22-23 – And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.

Not only was Pharaoh already an evil man, but he would harden his own heart.

Exodus 8:15 – But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Here is another verse that does not mention who hardened his heart, it implies it was hardened by the events that happened.

Exodus 8:18-19 – And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

In this verse Pharaoh hardened his own heart, deciding not to let them go.

Exodus 8:32 – And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.

Here is another verse that does not mention who hardened his heart, it implies it was hardened by the events that happened.

Exodus 9:6-7 – And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

In this verse God hardened Pharaoh's heart.

Exodus 9:12 – And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.

Not only did Pharaoh harden his own heart but also his servants hardened their own hearts.

Exodus 9:34-35 – And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.

In this next verse God hardened the heart of Pharaoh and his servants.

Exodus 10:1 – And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:

Both Pharaoh and God played an active role in the hardening process according to Scripture. Initially, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his own heart by stubbornly refusing to let Israel go. After multiple refusals, God then hardened Pharaoh's heart further as a judicial act of condemnation against his unrepentant rebellion.

This demonstrates both Pharaoh's responsibility for his sinful stubbornness as well as God's sovereignty to judicially harden those who persistently come against Him. It was Pharaoh's initial choice to disobey, then God's hardening intervention was a constituted judgment against his unrepentant heart.

We also see that this hardening was not permanent, since God hardened his heart multiple times.

Even if we were to become unbelievers, we still have the opportunity to return to God and be restored.

Romans 11:22-23 – Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

Rom 9:19 – Who Are You To Question

Romans 9:19-21 – Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

In verse 20, Paul is addressing the issue of God's sovereignty. As human beings, we have no right to question God's purposes or His actions. God is the Creator and we are the created.

Isaiah 29:16 – Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

Isaiah 45:9 – Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Verse 21 is not talking about God creating some vessels to be saved and others not to be saved. This is talking about forming us for his purpose (same lump of clap). Just as the potter knows how he is forming the clay with a specific purpose in mind, God knows and has a purpose for us.

This verse is not talking about God molding the destiny of each person regarding their salvation, it is about God's sovereignty and his right to choose. As we have been reading in the context, this is about God having the right to choose whom he will have mercy on and whom he will harden.

We also get more context about the potter and clay metaphor. God is the potter and His people are as the clay.

Jeremiah 18:1-6 – The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

These verses do not mean that God, as the potter, predetermines the destiny (salvation or condemnation) of people, the clay. Let’s look at the context of the next verses.

Jeremiah 18:7-13 – At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good. And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart. Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.

Just as a potter has the power to reshape the clay into a vessel that pleases him, God has the power to reshape His people and change the course of their lives. If the people repent and turn from their wicked ways, God will relent from bringing disaster upon them. However, if they continue in their disobedience, they will face the consequences of their actions.

Proverbs 16:4 – The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Rom 9:22-23 – Vessels

Romans 9:22-23 – What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Notice the difference. It specifically says, regarding the vessels of mercy, that he (God) himself had prepared them beforehand for glory. This is not talking about preparing them for salvation. This is talking about preparing them to share in his glory. Through them, he could make known the riches of his glory.

What does it say about the vessels of wrath? It just says the vessels of wrath are prepared for destruction. It doesn’t say that God is doing that. Some he uses to receive his mercy and some who are already headed to destruction to show his wrath and power.

Regarding these evildoers, Paul adds that God has patiently tolerated those who were already on the path to destruction and with whom he was angry.

What Does Hardening Mean?

God actively gives over or hands over those who choose to be rebellious to the natural consequences and enslavement of their sins as a judicial hardening in response to their rejection of Him.

Romans 1:18-28 – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

In terms of God hardening rebellious men, it means that God allows people to continue in their disobedience and rebellion, ultimately leading to their own destruction. God hardening their already hard heart means he allows them to continue down the path they have chosen.

In this next verse, it speaks of those who are being lost because they did not receive the love of the truth that could save them. This rejection of the truth leads to a hardening of their hearts and a turning away from God. God allows those who persist in unbelief to be further hardened in their hearts, ultimately facing the consequences of their choices.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 – And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Jesus mentions that the mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to those who have a teachable heart, but for the unbelievers or the spiritually blind everything becomes a parable.

Mark 4:11-12 – And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Matthew 13:10-15 – And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias [Isaiah 6:9-10], which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Jesus spoke in parables to conceal truth from those who were not genuinely seeking to understand and follow God's will. Jesus wanted to make sure that those who were not truly seeking God's Kingdom would not understand the gospel and be held accountable for rejecting it.

This passage highlights the significance of personal choice in believing in God and His Son. Throughout the Bible, we see that God gives humans free will to make their own choices. He does not force anyone to believe in Him or accept His truth. Instead, He presents the evidence and invites people to make a decision.

John 5:36-47 – But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

It is not that God causes people to not believe, but rather it is the result of individuals making their own decision.

We also see that this hardening was also most likely not permanent in this case. Since after this thousands of Jews were saved.

Acts 2:40-41 – And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 4:4 – Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Here is another instance when judgment was given because people hardened their necks, similar to hardening their heart.

Jeremiah 19:15 – Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.

I created a comprehensive guide that organizes bible verses by categories, making it easier than ever to deepen your understanding and apply God's word to your life: Ultimate Bible Passage Guide Book. If you would like to support my ministry you can do so by donating here or subscribing to my Patreon.

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

- The Christian King