Romans 9 - Why Does God Choose Some and Not Others?

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Paul’s Anguish Over Israel

Though Paul has had many things to say about the unbelief of his own people, the Jews, he writes here how much anguish he feels over their refusal to believe. He is even willing to be cut off from Christ if this might save his people. Paul then cites all of the ways that God had revealed Himself to the people of Israel. Most significantly through the patriarchs Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, who were recipients of God's covenant, which was fulfilled in Jesus.  

God’s Sovereign Choice

Paul points out that it is not that God's Word has failed. He defines the true Israel as those who trust in God's promises. Because some of the Israelites didn't trust in or obey God's promises does not mean God is a promise breaker. Paul shows that just because someone is a descendant of Abraham does not necessarily mean they are a child of the promise.  He uses the example of Issac and Ishmael to illustrate this point. 

The name "Issac" means "child of the promise". The name "Ishmael" means "child of the flesh". The same is true with Jacob and Esau. God chose Jacob and rejected Esau before they were even born. This caused people to question the fairness of God. To that Paul responds, "Who are we to be the judge of the decisions God has made." 

This confirms the doctrine Paul has been teaching, which is we are saved by grace not works. Jacob was not chosen for his works, but because God had chosen him to be a child of the promise. This did not mean Jacob did not have a choice to obey or disobey God, as we see in the subsequent events in Jacob's life. God even used the evil king Pharaoh for his purposes. Pharaoh's evil reign gave God a chance to show his deliverance.  

Paul concludes, "Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden."

Remember what mercy is. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve. God is never less than fair with anyone, but fully reserves the right to be more than fair with individuals as He chooses. - Guzik

So these verses do present an challenge. If God has hardened someone did they ever have a chance to be saved? Paul basically answers this by saying, "Who are we to question God?" Does not the potter have the right to make once piece a clay for his glory and the other for destruction? 

Paul argues that God used his patience with these objects of destruction to prepare the way for his acts of mercy. As Paul argued in Romans 5, "No one is righteous not even one!" So it is only by God's mercy and grace that anyone can be saved. Also, by demonstrating his acts of mercy it showed that God also was going to invite the Gentiles to faith. Therefore, a Gentile who trusted in God's promise was more of a child of Abraham, than the Israelite, who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. 

And if God wants to show mercy to the Gentiles as well as the Jews (of course, never being less than fair to either), who can oppose Him? - Guzik

The Gentiles obtained a righteousness that can only be acquired by faith, whereas the Israelites chose to obtain righteousness by works. Though Israelites were children of the promise, they rejected God's promises and willfully tried to earn their own salvation by their own efforts. 

In the following chapters, Paul will give hope to the people of Israel. For a remnant of Jews are part of God's elect. We see this today for people who would call themselves, "Messianic Jews" Or, "Jews for Jesus". These are Jewish people who know that Jesus was the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. They have received true righteousness which comes through faith in Jesus. They are as much a child of God as I am as a Gentile.