The assertion that God
is free to be merciful and free to exercise judgment, based solely on purposes
that He finds within Himself, disturbs the very core of our human
existence. We know God has created us in
His image. We know God has given us
intellect and choice. Everything about
the sovereignty of God seems to defy that. The Bible is replete with assertions about
the majesty of mankind as created by God and man's seeming unstoppable
abilities and most certain accountability.
To assert that God is
ultimately sovereign and we are not requires the most deflated humility. So before Paul answers the question of this
objector (“You will say to me then, “Why does he
still find fault? For who can resist his will?”” (Romans 9:19, ESV)) I like the Message paraphrase: “So how can
God blame us for anything since he’s in charge of everything? If the big
decisions are already made, what say do we have in it?”” (Romans 9:19, The
Message).
Paul swings a pretty big hammer in response
to this question. He responds: “But who are you, O
man, to answer back to God? . . . ?" (Romans 9:20a, ESV). "Answer
back!" What does that mean? Does this mean we are not to ask
questions? Does this mean that we cannot
pursue greater understanding with God on a particular topic? No.
The Greek word that is translated "answer back" is ἀνταποκρίνομαι [antapokrinomai ][1]
which carries with it the idea of contradicting
the wisdom or refuting the judgment.
This word is used one other time in the New
Testament. It is found in Luke 14: “καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν ἀνταποκριθῆναι πρὸς ταῦτα.” (Luke
14:6, SBLGNT). Note the context:
“One Sabbath, when he went to dine at
the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. And
behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. And Jesus responded to the
lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?”
But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away.
And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into
a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?”” (Luke 14:1–5,
ESV)
The scenario of a man with dropsy in view
of Jesus while he dined on the Sabbath was obviously a set-up. Our Master
answered their question with profound wisdom.
Luke records that they could not answer back – they could not refute the
wisdom of God. Likewise Paul asks to us
as readers of Romans 9, "Having been instructed in the wisdom of God, who
are you to contradict God?" At the
end of this discussion in Romans 9-11, Paul is going to exclaim:
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom
and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable
his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his
counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from
him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
(Romans 11:33–36, ESV)
There is something else here also (note my
emphasis): "But who are you, O man,
to answer back to God? "
Hear Paul's words: a mere mortal, a man, an finite, dependent, not to
mention sinful creature will try to contradict the wisdom of the infinite,
holy, righteous, eternal, self-existent, self-sufficient, all-wise God? Normally when men hear the inscrutable
wisdom of God they are dumbstruck. When
Job was in this position he replied to God, ". . . therefore I
have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I
did not know." (Job 42:3, ESV).
Once we are bowed low in genuine humility
before the wisdom of God we are ready to hear his answer in the remainder of
verse 20 and following.
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Previous Blogs on this topic:
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1
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Romans 9:1-2
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2
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Romans 9:3-5
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3
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Romans 9:6–9
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4
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Romans 9:6–13
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5
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Romans 9:13
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6
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Romans 9:14-16
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7
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Romans 9:17-18
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8
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9
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10
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