Why did God allow the Israelites' hearts to be hardened so that they would not believe? Why would God allow some to fall away and not others?
If we return to Romans 9 - the lesson on God's sovereignty begins. In simpler terms, God is God and I am not.
As human beings we are born into this world - a world of real, tangible(touchable) things. Yet, we are also introduced into something bigger- the world that includes God in it. And, little by little our relationship with God doesn't mean God fitting into our worlds but our lives finding their place in God's.
One BIG part of that is understanding God's BIGness, His Almighty powerfulness.. His sovereignty.
Sometimes He stops catastrophes from occurring. Sometimes He withholds. Sometimes He leaves us to our stubbornness and allows us to suffer. Why?
Because God knows what He is doing. There is a reason for EVERYTHING.
Why did God let the Israelites stay in their stubborn ways? Simply, so that the Gentiles would have an opportunity to CHOOSE God. Then, some Israelites will return because the relationship they were chosen for - are now in the hands of the Gentiles. (v.11)
How come God doesn't keep us from making mistakes? Because He wants us to choose Him. He wants us to give ourselves to Him. He doesn't force His creation to worship and love because love is something that one choose to give. Love cannot be forced.
And, sometimes he does keep us from making mistakes (we just might not realize it) and sometimes he lets us make mistakes because there is a reason (a lesson, etc.)
God is a really smart God. He knows what He's doing. What does faith mean? We trust that God has the whole world in His hands and He knows what He is doing.
Who are we to complain to God? Can the clay complain to the potter?
This is a tough lesson in faith but I pray that we may learn to trust in our Sovereign, BIG God.
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