Romans 9:14-29
But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” (v. 20) I feel like Paul is channeling Job here: Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm and said, “Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me. Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified? (Job 40:6-8, NASB) We simply cannot question God! We can ask Him, “Why is this thing happening to me?” But as we ask, we are seeking His will, His wisdom, His guidance; we’re not being rebellious.
In channeling Job, Paul is actually responding to an unasked question: So then He has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills. You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who can resist His will?” (vv. 18-19) The unasked question has to do with God doing whatever He wishes and the questioner asking how God can find fault in someone if He chooses to do this thing or that thing and we have no say in the matter. And the simple answer is that we respond to whatever God puts in front of us, again fully seeking His will, His wisdom, His guidance. It’s really straightforward and simple – and difficult!!
Slava Bohu!