Romans 9:10-15

Rachel Workman: 10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”[d] 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[e]

14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
    and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”[f]

I had to do a little soul searching on this verse. My first response was, it appears as if God predetermines those who are called to him and those who are not. My Spirit was saying that's not what this passage is saying. Here is a great commentary on these verses if you want to take the time to read it. http://reknew.org/2008/01/how-do-you-respond-to-romans-9/

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John Burnett:  ¹⁰ And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; ¹¹ for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would ^[a]stand, not ^[b]because of works but ^[c]because of Him who calls, ¹² it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”  Haven’t been on Ancestry.com but I would bet that Mohammed was a descendant of Esau. 

¹⁴ What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! ¹⁵ For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  Rhetorical questions because it is only God who is just.  Thankfully He has shown mercy and compassion on me and my family.  I cannot fathom what Jesus went through on my behalf.  Thank you Jesus for having mercy on me and taking my punishment.

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Monday's reading for Romans 9:16-18

¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. ¹⁷ For Scripture says 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.”^{[g] 18} Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.