Romans 9: 17-24 (Quoted from NLT)

17-19 “For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, ‘I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.’ (18) So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. (19) Well then, you might say, ‘Why does God blame people for not responding?  Haven’t they simply don what he makes them do?’”

20-24 “No, don’t say that.  Who are you, a mere human being to argue with God? Should the thing that was made say to the one who created it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ (21) When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration, and throw garbage into?  (22) In the same way, even though God has a right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. (23) He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.  (24) And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.”

My comments:  I have heard a lot of different interpretations of this passage.  So others might see things differently, but here is MY personal take on verses 17-24.  This passage does talk about God hardening people’s hearts that are destined for destruction.  I want to point out that prior to that is says, that God is PATIENT with those on whom his anger falls.  It also says that God hardens the hearts of THOSE THAT REFUSE TO LISTEN.   So to me that suggests that we have choices, and God doesn’t just decide that certain people are destined for destruction from the very beginning.  If you compare this to 2 Timothy 2:20-21 it says, “In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made out of wood and clay.  The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones for everyday use. (21) If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use.  Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.”  So my understanding of these two passages put together is that we are like clay that God will shape and mold to use for His purposes, but we do have some choices based on how we live our lives whether God will make us a utensil for honorable use, or if He will use us in a destructive way.   I also want to point out that Pharaoh made lots of wrong choices before God ever hardened his heart.  As I said, others may understand this passage differently, but this is just my personal understanding of what is being said.  I see God as a merciful God that gives us chances because as I pointed out,  the passage said God is patient with those that he uses for destruction and it also says they refused to listen, and THEN He hardened their hearts.  It doesn’t say he hardened their hearts first.   I don’t believe God created people with the intention that He will use them for destruction, but rather they refused to listen and obey first, and then God used them in a destructive way, but that is just MY opinion.