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You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n It is completely fair for God to do as He decides.<\/p>\n The Greek verb translated \u201cfind fault<\/span>\u201d\u00a0 is memphomai<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto find fault, to blame, or to censure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cResisted<\/span>\u201d is translated from anthist\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>. This is a compound word made up of anti<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cagainst\u201d and hist\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto stand.\u201d So, quite literally, this word means \u201cto stand against.\u201d Understand, however, that the emphasis of this word is on the result rather than the process. In its usage here, Paul is not saying, \u201cwho has put up a fight against God\u2019s will\u201d but \u201cwho has prevailed against His will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill<\/span>\u201d is from boul\u0113ma<\/em><\/span>. This is the noun form of boulomai<\/em><\/span>, which we compared with thel\u014d<\/em> <\/span>back in verse sixteen. It refers to \u201cintention or purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul has been very methodically and meticulously describing God\u2019s sovereignty in choosing some and not choosing others. Every Jew knows that God chose Abraham and called him out of Ur of the Chaldeans. From there Paul showed that Isaac was the chosen son of promise rather than Ishmael, the first born of his flesh. He then gives the example of Jacob and Esau. Even though Esau was the first born, God said \u201cJacob have I loved but Esau have I hated.<\/span>\u201d And He did so without taking into account anything either of them did in their lives.<\/p>\n His next example is Pharaoh. Pharaoh had a hardened heart toward God and His chosen people as a result of his sin nature (which we all have). But God hardened Pharaoh\u2019s heart even further so that He (God) might receive praise and glory. Thus Paul declares<\/p>\n He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.<\/span><\/p>\n From our human perspective we look at this and say, \u201cThat\u2019s not fair!\u201d This is the first objection most people have to God\u2019s sovereignty. Paul now gets to the other objection. If God is in total control and no one can resist His will in election, then why does he condemn sinners? Why doesn\u2019t He just forgive everyone their sins and not send anyone to Hell for being a sinner?<\/p>\n Actually, this is just another way of saying, \u201cThat\u2019s not fair! God shouldn\u2019t choose some to go to Heaven and allow others to go to Hell.\u201d Paul will address this in his response in the next verse. So as not to take all the wind out of his sails, let me simply state that the problem with this objection is that it assumes that we know better than God. But, how can we who are finite beings with a sin nature ever suppose that we know better than an infinite, loving, holy, righteous God.<\/p>\n We have no right to criticize God for the way He chooses to run His creation. Instead of complaining and fighting His will for us, we need to better understand Him and His will for us. As we do, we will fall on our knees asking for forgiveness for even questioning His will and His sovereignty.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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