Study Desk

and not all of Abraham's descendants are his true descendants. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that descendants will be named for you."Genesis 21:12">[fn]Genesis 21:12; Galatians 4:23; Hebrews 11:18;">[xr]

For this is the language of promise: "At this time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."Genesis 18:10,14">[fn]Genesis 18:10,14;">[xr]

For he says to Moses, "I will be merciful to the person I want to be merciful to, and I will be kind to the person I want to be kind to."Exodus 33:19">[fn]Exodus 33:19;">[xr]

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh,Exodus 9:16; Galatians 3:8,22;">[xr] "I have raised you up for this very purpose, to demonstrate my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."Exodus 9:16">[fn]

You may ask me, "Then why does Godhe">[fn] still find fault with anybody?with anybody">[fn] For who can resist his will?"2 Chronicles 20:6; Job 1:9:12; 23:13; Daniel 4:35;">[xr]

A potter has the right to do what he wants to with his clay, doesn't he? He can make something for a special occasion or something for ordinary use from the same lump.Proverbs 16:4; Jeremiah 18:6; 2 Timothy 2:20;">[xr]

Now if God wants to demonstrate his wrath and reveal his power, can't he be extremely patient with the objects of his wrath that are made for destruction?1 Thessalonians 5:9; 1 Peter 2:8; Jude 1:4;">[xr]

Can't he also reveal his glorious riches to the objects of his mercy that he has prepared ahead of time for glory - Romans 2:4; 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:27;">[xr]

For the Lord will carry out his planIsaiah 28:22;">[xr] and shorten it in righteousness,in righteousness">[fn] because he will carry out his plan on the earth decisively."Isaiah 10:22-23">[fn]

For I can testify on their behalf that they have a zeal for God, but it is not in keeping with full knowledge.Acts 21:20; 22:3; Romans 9:31; Galatians 1:14; 4:17;">[xr]

For they are ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God while they try to establish their own, and they have not submitted to God's righteousness.Romans 1:17; 9:30; Philippians 3:9;">[xr]

For Christ is the culminationend">[fn] of the law as far as righteousness is concerned for everyone who believes.Matthew 5:17; Galatians 3:24;">[xr]

For Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from the law as follows: "The person who obeys these things will find life in them."Leviticus 18:5">[fn]Leviticus 18:5; Nehemiah 9:29; Ezekiel 20:11,13, 21; Galatians 3:12;">[xr]

For a person believes with his heart and is justified, and a person declares with his mouth and is saved.

For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be ashamed."Isaiah 28:16">[fn]Isaiah 28:16; 49:23; Jeremiah 17:7; Romans 9:33;">[xr]

For there is no difference between Jew and Greek, because they all have the same Lord, who gives richly to all who call on him.Acts 10:36; 15:9; Romans 3:22,29; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Timothy 2:5;">[xr]

For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."Joel 2:32">[fn]Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:14;">[xr]

But not everyone has obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah asks, "Lord, who has believed our message?"Isaiah 53:1">[fn]Isaiah 53:1; John 12:38; Romans 3:3; Hebrews 4:2;">[xr]

And Isaiah boldly says,Isaiah 65:1; Romans 9:30;">[xr] "I was found by those who were not looking for me; I was revealed to those who were not asking for me."Isaiah 65:1">[fn]

But what was the divine reply to him? "I have reserved for myself 7,000 people who have not knelt to worship Baal."1 Kings 19:18">[fn]1 Kings 19:18;">[xr]