92SermonsofJonathanEdwards
The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
"God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden." [Romans 9:18]
THE Apostle Paul, in the beginning of this chapter, expresses his great concern and sorrow of heart for the people of Israel, who were rejected by God. This leads him to observe the difference, which God made by election, between some of the Jews and others, and between the majority of the Jews and the Christian Gentiles. In speaking of this he enters into the most detailed discussion found anywhere in the whole Bible concerning the sovereignty of God in electing some to eternal life, and rejecting others. He quotes several passages from the Old Testament, confirming and illustrating this doctrine of Election:
1. In the Book of Romans (9:9), Paul reminds us of what God said to Abraham, showing His election of Isaac before Ishmael, saying,-"At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."
2. He shows in verse twelve, what God had said to Rebecca, showing His election of Jacob over Esau; "The older will serve the younger."
3. In the thirteenth verse, he refers to a passage from Malachi, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
4. In the fifteenth verse, to what God said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
5. Finally, in the seventeenth verse, to what God said 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."