'Is there injustice on the part of God? Of course not! For he says to Moses: “I will show mercy to whom I will, I will take pity on whom I will.” So it depends not upon a person’s will or exertion, but upon God, who shows mercy. For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “This is why I have raised you up, to show my power through you that my name may be proclaimed throughout the earth.” Consequently, he has mercy upon whom he wills, and he hardens whom he wills. You will say to me then, “Why [then] does he still find fault? For who can oppose his will?” But who indeed are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Will what is made say to its maker, “Why have you created me so?” Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for a noble purpose and another for an ignoble one (Rom. 9:14-21)?’
God has a sovereign right to choose to whom he will show mercy and pity (Ex. 33:19). St. Paul told the Ephesians, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them (Eph. 2:8-10).” In Biblical times the heart was thought to be where the intellect and will resided, so obstinacy was thought to come from the heart. In Pharaoh's time, actions that appeared irrational were thought to be the work of outside forces so Pharaoh's irrational obstinacy in the face of God’s incomparable power was thought to be the work of God. We should not reject divine intervention. We are creatures created by God for his purpose and without God’s will, all human effort is futile. Then why should God complain if we cannot go against his will? Mankind does not have God’s perspective on the world, so he is in no position to question or judge God.
Almighty God, you are a just judge giving mercy to each according to his/her merits. Your will is always accomplished though our obstinate hearts lead us to defy your will. We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works for your greater glory. Grant, we pray, that your infinite grace may soften our hardened hearts to accept the teachings of your Son so that we may receive the reward of eternal life promised to your faithful servants. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
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