Romans 9:17-18

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" [Exodus 9:16]. Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.

Paul continues where he left off in v6-16, elaborating with illustrations of the doctrine of election, and explaining that God is not unfair or unjust when it comes to bestowing mercy (non-justice) on some and giving justice (exactly what is deserved) to others. V16 is Paul’s summary of this chapter: Election (and salvation) does not depend on man’s efforts or desires or will, but only and wholly on God’s mercy – which is given to some and not others – and this is the biggest objection to the Biblical doctrine of election. If you say that God chooses some, then that inherently means that He does not choose others. Yet that is precisely what the Bible teaches. It’s hard to swallow, but it’s crystal clear, and we’ll see it right here in v17-18.

V17 – God placed pharaoh in power, so He could display His power in the destruction of pharaoh, so that the whole earth would know that the Lord is God. Paul offers a quote from Exodus that shows God’s purpose in hardening pharaoh – to glorify Himself. Let’s acknowledge for a moment that nothing God does is sinful. Why? Because God is the One doing it! And because of the purpose He has in all of His actions. If the motive is a good one, and it’s done by a perfect being, then it’s just and right and holy and perfect. And we’ll see in a minute that the potter can do with the clay whatever pleases him. That’s the point of this entire passage, v17-24, that whatever God does is holy, even if it is hardening a human heart, even if it is refusing salvific grace, because God is the One doing it and because He is in the process of accomplishing His purpose to glorify Himself for all eternity. The salvation of sinners is very important to God, but it is not all-important to God. God is more concerned about His own glory.

Now Paul makes it clear here that God’s handling of pharaoh was purposeful and demonstrative. God had a purpose in the Exodus events that was far beyond anything that Moses and pharaoh and the people involved could perceive (1 Corinthians 10:1-11). We have a great advantage looking back on it with the totality of Scripture to help us interpret those events. God’ purpose was to demonstrate His power and to proclaim His name in all the earth. So anything God chooses to do with the purpose of demonstrating His power and declaring His name, even if it includes passing over some, even if it seems destructive, is good and righteous and just.

Now of course it’s also true that God is just in his judgment of Pharaoh, because Pharaoh was a sinner. He was a sinner who had rebelled against God and had mocked His name; but isn’t it interesting that Paul doesn’t even bring that up in this passage. He wants our focus to be on the sovereign choice of God. Those who are lost have only themselves to blame; those who are saved have only God to thank. Man gets all the blame (and he deserves it); God gets all the credit (and He deserves it). 1 Corinthians 1:30 “It is because of [God] that you are in Christ Jesus.”

V18 – God can harden or show mercy to anyone in order to glorify Himself. Paul just lays it down there. He doesn’t apologize for it. That’s just the way it is, and I’m sure you can think of lots of objections in your mind to it right now because it’s uncomfortable; but you can’t argue that it’s not what Paul is saying because Paul is crystal clear. He answers the question, “Is God’s election just with regard to those who are saved?” by saying, “Don’t consider justice but consider mercy.” And with regard to those who reject God, Paul says, “Consider God’s purpose.”

When we see God’s choice as sovereign in salvation we realize that our salvation is all of grace. It is not based on our inherent worthiness, our deeds, our backgrounds, our choice, or even our faith. All of those things are instruments of God’s grace. Salvation is based upon God’s grace alone, and therefore we may glorify Him completely for salvation and be assured of our salvation. We will persevere in salvation, because perseverance isn’t based on us; it’s based on Him. His acceptance of us is not based on something in us or something He foresees about us; it’s based wholly on Him and His purposes.