Romans 9:1-19 …. check your will..

9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

² That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

³ For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Paul is telling the people he would, if it would really make the difference, trade places with all the people so they obtain salvation through Yeshua. Paul knows that YHWH has chosen mankind and has purpose for them (ch8 v 30) and he is heartbroken over those that cannot see this position.

⁴ Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

⁵ Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

⁶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

(The original “Israel” are those that came from the 12 tribes. He tells us plainly that this Israel is only those that choose to follow YHWH with all their heart.)

⁷ Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

⁸ That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

(These are the “seed” Abraham was promised from YHWH; they are the multitudes of “Gentiles” which means nations, as Abraham was a “Gentile”)

⁹ For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

¹⁰ And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

¹¹ 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;

¹² It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

Before they were born, because God knew their hearts already, God told the parents what was going to happen with the boys in the fulfillment of the future of His creation. While this might not have set well with the parents on a personal level, it was for the good of all future generation and the salvation of the world that this take place.

¹³ As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (Esau made a conscience decision to relinquish his duty as the spiritual leader of the family.)

¹⁴ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

¹⁵ For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

¹⁶ So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

You may have your own “plan” for your life, as many do, yet it is God that will allow or disallow the unfolding of that plan based on His perfect plan for you and the universe.

¹⁷ For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

¹⁸ Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

¹⁹ Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?