17 For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” 18 So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.
19 Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”
20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? 22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. 23 He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. 24 And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.
Thinking Like God
At some point, most of us do it. Maybe all of us. At least once or twice, we’re guilty of it. We question the ways of God. When something doesn’t quite make sense, I try to reason as if I were God. If I were God … I’d do it this way. Or, we look at God’s actions and we filter them through our own way of thinking.
In today’s passage, Paul talks about God hardening the heart of Pharaoh so that he could be used for a greater purpose. In case you’re wondering what role Pharaoh plays in history, you can read his story, which begins in Exodus 5. If you were at Bikers’ Church last night, you know that The Passover, which took place in Pharaoh’s Egypt, is part of the Christmas story – the story of Jesus. But the Bible is clear that God does indeed harden the heart of Pharaoh.
Some have asked if the same was true of Judas. Did he have a choice? After all, the story needed a betrayer. One who would hand Jesus over to be crucified. (Or did it?) Some wonder if Judas gets a fair shake, since his role ultimately led to the death and resurrection of Jesus.
When we try to answer these questions fully, we find ourselves in the place of trying to think like God. And that’s a difficult, if not dangerous, place to be.
Why? Because the Bible is also clear that God’s thoughts are not like ours. His ways are far beyond anything we could imagine (Isaiah 55:8) In fact, if you were to read the entire 55th chapter of Isaiah, you’d discover that it is speaking about salvation, and the way God goes about touching the hearts of people is not the way we might do it … if we were God, that is.
Here’s what I know: God so loved the world, that he gave his only son that whoever believes might be saved. That means … whoever. Anyone. We are all given the opportunity to know God. Some will reject that opportunity. Some will turn away from God. And if God then takes those who turn away and hardens their heart and uses them in some way, it really is beyond my comprehension to understand.
You see, I’m not God. I can’t think like he does. I can only trust him that he knows best.
My prayer: Lord, I trust you. Forgive me for the times when I try to figure everything out. That’s not my job. My job is to walk by faith. There are going to be things that I can’t answer. Questions that will remain unresolved. May I continue to trust you even when I don’t have it all settled in my mind. As the Apostle Thomas prayed, “Lord, I believe! Help me with my unbelief.” Amen.
Until tomorrow.
