For this is what the promise said, About this time next year will I return and Sarah shall have a son. [Gen. 18:10.]
And not only that, but this too: Rebecca conceived two sons under exactly the same circumstances by our forefather Isaac, and the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out Almighty Yahuwah’s purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls them, It was said to her that the elder son should serve the younger son. [Gen. 25:21-23.] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated held in relative disregard in comparison with My feeling for Jacob. [Mal. 1:2, 3.]
What shall we conclude then? Is there injustice upon Almighty Yahuwah’s part? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion (pity) on whom I will have compassion. [Exod. 33:19.] So then Almighty Yahuwah’s gift is not a question of human will and human effort, but of Almighty Yahuwah’s mercy. It depends not on one’s own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on Almighty Yahuwah’s having mercy on him.
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, I have raised you up for this very purpose of displaying My power in [dealing with] you, so that My name may be proclaimed the whole world over.
So then He has mercy on whomever He wills (chooses) and He hardens (makes stubborn and unyielding the heart of) whomever He wills.
You will say to me, Why then does He still find fault and blame us for sinning? For who can resist and withstand His will?
