C Crain · 2. Romans 9:14-33 was read.

C.C. — I think we should refresh our minds as to the verses which immediately precede where our brother began to read, so I will direct attention again to the 15th verse: “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth.” As we were saying yesterday, God had a purpose from everlasting, and His election is in view of that purpose. He is absolutely sovereign; it is His prerogative therefore to have a purpose and to carry it out. The matter of election is just simply God making choice in view of His purpose; and, as the apostle states it here, God’s purpose stands. Now this purpose of God was formed before ever we existed; He had, therefore, in view those who were to be the objects of His blessing. That is what some might call in question as being unrighteous. For instance, in the cases specified here, before Jacob and Esau were born, and before they had done either good or evil, it is manifest that God had His eye on Jacob for a certain blessing. His choice of Jacob did not depend on what Jacob would be. He did not choose Esau — He chose Jacob. Was God righteous in that? That is a question often raised. Is there unrighteousness with God? The apostle resents the thought. It is really an impudent question, which we have no right to raise. We have no right to question God’s sovereignty. It is His right to have a purpose and to carry it out.