I find these chapters difficult to understand. "God chooses people
according to his own purposes" (9:11). At the same time, it's possible
for people to refuse the plan of redemption that God has chosen, which
is "the righteousness that is by faith" (9:30 NASB).
A word that we keep encountering is "mercy." God's character never
changes. He is always just, always merciful.
There is another word in today's reading. Maybe we'd rather not hear
it. Still, it's an aspect of God's nature. The NLT bible uses the word
"anger" in 9:22. The Message says, "angry displeasure." Most other
translations say "wrath." I find help in my Word Study Dictionary by
Spiros Zodhiates. The author describes God's wrath as utter abhorrence
to sin, but longing mixed with grief for those who live in it.
Grief. Don Pardun wrote yesterday about Paul's grief for his lost
brothers. It's as though the apostle is letting us in on his own search
for answers as he asks, in effect, "Why, Lord? Why have I not yet seen
your mercy poured out on my fellow Jews? Why do they continue to resist
your will?"
Various translations of 9:22,23 show Paul wrestling with God's apparent
slowness:
"What if God, choosing [fully intending] to show his wrath [anger] and
make his power [and authority] known, bore [has tolerated, endured]
with great patience the objects [vessels] of his wrath - made [fitted]
[prepared] [which are ripe] for destruction? What if he did this [thus
purposes] to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his
mercy, whom he prepared in advance [beforehand] for glory...?"
My mind can't wrap around all that is implied here. I wonder - how can
God be enduring with great patience on behalf of the people he has
fitted for destruction? Zodhiates suggests that the form of the Greek
verb "fit" found in this passage is best understood this way - the
vessels of wrath, or the unsaved, FITTED THEMSELVES unto destruction.
They were not fitted by God for destruction.
If this is so, a person is heading for destruction as long as he or she
refuses God's provision. Was Jesus' death not sufficient? Must someone
ascend to heaven (10:6) and bring Jesus back to complete his work of
redemption? No. Jesus, dying on the cross, knew that his mission was
finished (John 19:28 NLT). The price has been paid.
Must Jesus be raised from the dead again (10:7) as further proof that
he is Lord? No. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead desires
to live within us (see 8:9-11). We have heard the word. The gift of
faith is available. Call on him. He wants to show you the riches of his
glory.
Deetje Wildes
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