Sovereign God and Free Willed Me

Verse 25 is very interesting, “Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” There is a dance being described here between our free will and God’s sovereignty—a dance God leads. Somehow the hearts of the people of God can become hardened AND God knows how long the hardness will be (until the complete number comes in).

Remember the Exodus story? In Exodus 7:3 God hardens Pharaoh’s heart, but then in 8:15, Pharaoh hardens his own heart. The history teller of the Exodus is not at all concerned that these lines seem to be in conflict! Or David the writer of Psalm 81:12 writes, “So I [God] gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.” God lets us do our own thing.

Does Moses, David or Paul (the writer of Romans) not see the apparent theological issue: free will versus sovereignty? Clearly, to these Bible writers, there is no issue! Both are true: we choose AND God’s will will always be done. Furthermore, God makes no effort in Scripture to reconcile these.

Why not? Because when we read “mystery” in Scripture (the ongoing revelation of God) we step into the realm of God. The Trinity is a mystery (God does not say much about how the Three interact, and what they look like). Prayer, how it works, what my words accomplish in the heavenlies, is mystery. Eternity is mystery. These Bible truths point to the bigness of God. These realities point to the fact that on this side of heaven “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Respond in Prayer

Father, Son and Holy Spirit I am so thankful for you. You are always attentive to me, always loving me, yet you are so much bigger than my thoughts. There is so much more of you to know and discover AND to look forward to. Today I am grateful that you value me in such a way as to allow me to think and choose. And today I am grateful for your grace that will always have its way!

Cliff Fletcher