Bill Acton :: Romans 9:17-18 - God's Dealing with Pharaoh

Sermon Outline for Romans 9:17-18

God’s Dealing with Pharaoh

1. The Statement about Jacob and Esau
   1. Jacob have I loved
   2. Esau have I hated
      1. It is God’s will
      2. It is God’s right
2. Man Questioning God’s Righteousness
3. God’s Answer
   1. I will have mercy on whom I will
   2. I will harden whom I please
4. The Example of Pharaoh
   1. The meaning of God raising up Pharaoh – Exo 9:6
      1. Usual interpretation – for natural purposes only
      2. The point – God hates Pharaoh as He does Esau, and hardens Pharaoh for His own purpose
      3. God raised up Pharaoh to rebel against Him
         1. Pharaoh’s rebellion is not contrary to God’s purpose
         2. Pharaoh and all the wicked are predestinated as vessels of wrath fitted for destruction
         3. Pharaoh represents all the unsaved
            1. Pharaoh does not mind being hard
            2. All the unbelievers do not mind being hard
   2. The realization of God’s raising up Pharaoh
      1. God worked on Pharaoh – He hardened Pharaoh’s heart
         1. Pharaoh and all the wicked are already unbelievers
         2. God hardened an already hardened heart
      2. How is this hardening accomplished
         1. God gave His Word
         2. God put His people in Pharaoh’s presence
         3. God gave him gifts
         4. God used Pharaoh – Pharaoh did not use God
         5. God is not struggling with Pharaoh
   3. The purpose of God’s raising up of Pharaoh
      1. God’s purpose is stated clearly
         1. For God’s power to be shown
            1. Not just power over Pharaoh
            2. But to show that He is God
         2. God raised up Pharaoh to show that Pharaoh would rebel against God