11. Before the children had been born or had done anything good or bad, Rebekah was told that the older child would serve the younger one. This was said to Rebekah so that God’s plan would remain a matter of his choice,
12. a choice based on God’s call and not on anything people do.
13. The Scriptures say, “I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.”
14. What can we say—that God is unfair? That’s unthinkable!
15. For example, God said to Moses, “I will be kind to anyone I want to. I will be merciful to anyone I want to.”
16. Therefore, God’s choice does not depend on a person’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
17. For example, Scripture says to Pharaoh, “I put you here for this reason: to demonstrate my power through you and to spread my name throughout the earth.”
18. Therefore, if God wants to be kind to anyone, he will be. If he wants to make someone stubborn, he will.
19. You may ask me, “Why does God still find fault with anyone? Who can resist whatever God wants to do?”
20. Who do you think you are to talk back to God like that? Can an object that was made say to its maker, “Why did you make me like this?”
21. A potter has the right to do whatever he wants with his clay. He can make something for a special occasion or something for everyday use from the same lump of clay.
22. If God wants to demonstrate his anger and reveal his power, he can do it. But can’t he be extremely patient with people who are objects of his anger because they are headed for destruction?