Freewill and Choice. Great effort has been made to keep this presentation freely reproducible in its entirety. Omitting parts (especially these acknowledgements

Freewill and Choice

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Outline

A. What God wants (God’s will)

B. Human choice

C. Why do people do evil?

D. God knows the future

E. Paul’s doctrine of predestination

F. Implications of Freewill

G. Can love be meaningful without choice?

A. What God Wants

(God’s will)

1. Definitions of want and will2. How do we know what God wants?3. God wants men to choose right4. What God wants is dynamic5. God can change his mind6. Some of God’s decisions will not be changed

1. Definitions of “want” and “will”

God

A. What God Wants (God’s will)

1. Definitions of want and will

To want (verb) = thelō (113x in gospels).

Men want:– “Don’t turn away from people who want to borrow from you” Mt 5:42– “You can help them [the poor] whenever you want” Mk 14:7– “He asked her [Mrs Zebedee], ‘What do you want?’” Mt 20:21

God and Jesus want:– “I want mercy, not sacrifice” Mt 19:13– “Jerusalem… how often I wanted to gather your

children together like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you did not want to!” Mt 23:37

– “If it is possible, let this cup be taken away from me; nevertheless, not what I want, but what you [want]” Mt 26:39

God


(1. Definitions of want and will)

What someone wants (noun) = thelēma (same root as thelō) (22x):

What men want:– “Which of the two [sons] did what his father wanted?” Mt 21:31– “[Pilate] handed Jesus over to what they wanted” Lk 23:25

What God wants (=God’s will in old English):– “Whoever does what God wants (God’s will) is my brother and sister and

mother” Mk 3:35– “May your kingdom come; may what you want (your will) be done on

earth, as it is in heaven” Mt 6:10– “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not

what I want (my will), but [what] you [want], be done.” Lk 22:42

God


(1. Definitions of want and will)God


Think of “what God wants”

not a “decision”, “decree” or “determination”

If God wants or wills something:

2. How do we know what God wants?


God ?

2. How do we know what God wants?

God tells people to do things because he wants them to do it.God tells people not to do things because he doesn’t want them to do it.

• God told Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil Gen 2:17

• God told Pharaoh to “let my people go”, >7x Ex 5-10

• God told the Israelites not to worship idols and not to murder Ex 20:3-5; Ex 20:13, Mt 19:18

• Jesus told the Jews to repent eg Mt 4:17

A. What God Wants (God’s will)God ?

God commands

Men may choose


3. God wants men to do right

GOOD outcome

BAD outcome

3. God wants men to choose right

What God wants is the best thing under the circumstances

• “This is how God loved the world: he sent his only son, so that whoever trusts and believes him can have everlasting life” Jn 3:16

• “Your Father in heaven does not want any of these little ones to be lost” Mt 18:14

• “The son of man came to search for the lost and save them” Lk 19:10

• “The Lord is righteous in all his ways” Ps 145:17

• “You love righteousness” Ps 45:7

God GOOD outcome

4. What God wants is dynamic


God

What God wants depends on the circumstances, and may change if the circumstances change

Plan A: God put Adam & Eve in the Garden Gen 2:15.Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

Plan B: Adam and Eve expelled. Plan for man’s redemption, and Kingdom of God onearth offered to the Jews by Jesus. The Jews (mostly) refused to repent and believe Jesus.

Plan C: Kingdom taken away from Jews; Israel destroyed in 70AD, sent into 2000 year exile.Salvation offered to anyone who will believe in Jesus.Most people don’t believe in Jesus.

4. What God wants is dynamic God

5. God can change his mind


God

5. God can change his mind (if we change)

God wanted Adam in Eden Gen 2:15Adam ate from the forbidden tree Gen 3:6God drove Adam out of Eden because of what he did Gen 3:23

“Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned” Jonah 3:4All Nineveh repented Jonah 3:5-9When God saw this, he decided not to punish them Jonah 3:12

“Maybe they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will change my mind (nacham, H5714) and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done” Jer 26:3

GodA. What God Wants (God’s will)

More instances when God changed his mind

God regretted or relented or changed his mind (nacham, H5714):

• “The LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth” Gen 6:6, and determined to wipe them out with the Flood

• “The LORD changed his mind about the disaster he had said he would bring on his people” Ex 32:14 (for worshipping the golden calf)

• “I regret that I made Saul king, because he has turned away from following me and has not kept my commands” 1 Sam 15:11

• “The LORD changed his mind over the disaster and spoke to the angel who was destroying the people, ‘Enough!’” 2 Sam 24:16


6. Some of God’s decisions will never be changed


God

6. Some of God’s decisions will never be changed

Sometimes God declared that he would never change his mind (nacham, H5714), eg “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever like Melchizedek” Ps 110:4.

Other instances (often sources of confusion):

• God would not change his decision to bless Israel through Balak: “God is not a man who lies, nor a son of man who changes his mind (nacham, H5714)” Num 23:19 lit.

• God’s decision to take the kingdom away from Saul would never change: “The Glory of Israel will not deal falsely or change his mind (nacham, H5714); for he is not a man, that he should change his mind (nacham, H5714).” 1 Sam 15:29.


7. God judges evil actions eventually


God

Usual sequence of judgment

A. What God Wants (God’s will): 7. God judges evil actions eventually

Plan A: God tells people what he requires.

God gives them opportunity to do right. Most men do wrong

Plan B: God warns them of impending judgment.

God gives them time to change.

If they refuse to change…

Plan C: God announces and executes judgment

God

Features of God’s judgmentsA. What God Wants (God’s will): 7. God judges evil actions eventually

God prefers people to change and avoid judgement, than to stay bad and be destroyed

Ezek 18:23, Jonah’s example

Judgment is based on the person’s actions

Mt 16:27 Mt 25:31-46 Jn 5:29

God’s judgment is merciful—most were less than the crime*

*exceptin God’s immediate presence

God’s judgments are uncommon. Most of the evil and disaster in the world is not God’s judgment.

70 AD

God

Examples of God’s judgments

Pharaoh Babylonian exile 586BC

Worldwide exile 70AD

Salvation to everyone

Requirements Let people go Law Law, Prophets Believe Jesus

Time & opport. x 11 Centuries Centuries Years

Did wrong Refused to let them go

Idolatry, violence

Wicked generation

(Most don’t believe Jesus)

Warning Every time Several prophets

John, Jesus, apostles

Holy Spirit warns all

Time & opport. Yes Decades 4+40 years Years?

No change Refused to let them go

Refused to repent

Killed Jesus, no repentance

Don’t believe. Death, Return

Judgment 10 plagues 586 BC exile 70 years

70 AD exile1900 years

Gehenna obliteration

God

God’s judgments…God

• Aren’t vindictive or cruel• His judgments appear to be either:

– Simply to put an end to evildoing (eg Flood, Sodom, Judgment Day upon Jesus’ return)

– The minimum necessary to bring about a change of heart (10 plagues of Egypt, Israel’s exiles)

• However, actions are judged much more severely if done directly against God in his presence; eg Nadab and Abihu, 70 AD for Israel killing Jesus

B.Human choice

1. God lets people choose2. Men usually don’t do what God wants3. God gives men a window of opportunity4. No choice after the door is closed

1. God lets people choose

B. Human choice

GodGod commands

Men may choose

1. God lets people choose“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” Dt 30:19 NIV

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living” Josh 24:15 NIV

“If anyone wants (thelō) to do what God wants (thelēma) he will find out whether my teaching is from God or whether I speak on my own” Jn 7:17

B. Human ChoiceGod

God commands

Men may choose

2. People usually choose wrong

B. Human choice

GodGod commands

Men usually choose

2. People usually choose wrong

Adam and Eve ate the fruit.Pharaoh refused to let the people go.The Israelites fell into idolatry.The Jews (mostly) refused to repent in Jesus’ day.

“Jerusalem… how often I wanted to gather your children together like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you did not want to!” Mt 23:37

“…the Pharisees and teachers of the Law rejected God’s purpose for them, not having been baptized by John” Lk 7:30— could choose not to do what God wanted

B. Human Choice Men usually choose

(People usually choose wrong)

What Men Do

(much evil)

What God Wants

(all good)

What Men Do

(some good)

B. Human Choice Men usually choose

3. God gives people a window of opportunity to choose

B. Human choice

This way

3. God gives people a window of opportunity

Not born yet

Haven’t heard God’s message

God hasn’t drawn them yet

B. Human Choice

This way

Not yet open

CLOSED

Hear message

God calls them

Opportunity to respond

Opportunity ends

Person made firm negative decision

Death

Judgment day

Door not yet open

Not born yet

Haven’t heard God’s message

God hasn’t drawn them yet

B. Human Choice: 3. God gives people a window of opportunity

Not yet open

Door not yet open for Gentiles:“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” Mt 15:24

(but after 30 AD door was opened to the Gentiles)

Door not open for all Jews at that time:“No one can come to me unless my Father who sent me draws them” Jn 6:44, spoken to Jews.(but later: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” Jn 12:32—everyone gets invited at some point).(“Draw” = elkuō in both verses).

This is not predestination to condemnation.

This way

Hear message

God calls them

Opportunity to respond


Door open

“When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” Jn 12:32

“…how he [God] had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” Acts 14:27

“The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mk 1:15

“Come and follow me” Mt 4:19

“So go and disciple all the nations… teaching them to keep everything I have commanded you” Mt 28:19-20

Door closed 1


Principle:

“Try very hard to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you that many will try to enter but won’t be able to. Once the owner of the house has stood up and shut the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us!” But he will answer you, “I don’t know you or where you come from” Lk 13:24-25

CLOSED

Opportunity ends


Death

Judgment day


The Pharisees decided to kill Jesus Mt 12:14 and publicly accused him of witchcraft Mt 12:24; only after this, Jesus told them, “God’s kingdom will be taken away from you” Mt 21:43, denounced them Mt 23, and predicted Jerusalem’s destruction Mt 24

Judas agreed with the chief priests to betray Jesus Mt 26:14. Only after this, Jesus identified him and said it would have been better if he had not been born Mt 26:24.

(NB: NIV ‘doomed to destruction’ Jn 17:12 is incorrect; Greek says ‘son of destruction’)

CLOSED

Opportunity ends


Death

Judgment day

Door closed 2


These are God’s judgments of their actions they have already done.

These are not predestination.

CLOSED

Opportunity ends


Death

Judgment day

Door closed 3

4. People have a “decision period”

B. Human choice

CLOSED

Blessing, Life

Judgment, Death

years

B. Human choice: 4. People have a “decision period”

CLOSED

“Whoever listens to my teaching and believes the Person who sent me has everlasting life; he won’t come under judgment, but instead he has crossed over from death to life” Jn 5:24

Blessing, Life

Judgment, Death

Decide on right course of action:


CLOSED

“Try very hard to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you that many will try to enter but won’t be able to. Once the owner of the house has stood up and shut the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us!” But he will answer you, “I don’t know you or where you come from” Lk 13:24-25; similarly Mt 25 (ten virgins)

Blessing, Life

Judgment, Death

Do not take right course of action:


CLOSED

The Pharisees decided to kill Jesus Mt 12:14 and accused him of driving out demons by Beelzebub Mt 12:24; Jesus said he drove them out by the Spirit of God Mt 12:28 and that this blasphemy against the Spirit would never be forgiven Mt 12:31.“God’s kingdom will be taken away from you” Mt 21:43 (to Pharisees)“And so all the righteous blood which has been shed upon the land will come upon you” Mt 23:35

Blessing, Life

Judgment, Death

Make firm negative decision:

5. Human choice leads to one of two destinies which God arranges

Human Choice

B. Human Choice

Destiny A1. Blessing2. Life3. …

Destiny B1. Judgment2. Death3. …

Destiny fixed once choice made.Main features arranged by God, not man.


God tells men to take the right path, but lets them choose

Right path

Wrongpath

4. Israel’s choice with the Law

Destiny A1. Live in Israel2. Prosperous3. Blessed

Destiny B1. Poor, hungry2. Exiled3. Serve enemies

Destiny fixed once choice made.Main features arranged by God, not man.(Blessings of the Law Lev 26 Dt 28)

Destiny fixed once choice made.Main features arranged by God, not man.(Curses of the Law Lev 26 Dt 28)

God’s Package A

1. …2. …3. …

God’s Package B

1. …2. …3. …

God told Israel to take the right path, but let them choose

Israel’s Choice

Keep Law

Break Law

B. Human Choice: 4. Human choice leads one of two destinies

4. Israel’s choice to accept or reject Jesus

Israel’s Choice 30 AD

Destiny A1. Jesus would die, on cross?

(not killed by Jews)2. Israel delivered, blessed3. Jesus reign in Jerusalem

and over the world

Destiny B1. Jesus would die on cross2. Israel destroyed 70 AD3. Jews suffer in worldwide

exile for 1900 years


Destiny fixed once choice made.Main features arranged by God, not man.Became certain after Jewish leaders’ decision of Mt 12

God’s Package A

1. …2. …3. …

God’s Package B

1. …2. …3. …

God told Israel to believe Jesus, but let them choose

B. Human Choice: 4. Human choice leads to one of two destinies

Believe Jesus

Reject Jesus

4. Our choice to accept or reject Jesus

Our choice

Destiny A

1. Blessings of new covenant

2. Eternal life

Destiny B

1. No blessings2. Final Judgment



God’s Package A

1. …2. …3. …

God’s Package B

1. …2. …3. …

God tells us to believe Jesus, but lets us choose


Believe Jesus

IgnoreJesus

4. Men choose their own destiny

God’s Package A

1. …2. …3. …

God’s Package B

1. …2. …3. …

God urges peoople to make the right choice, but doesn’t make them take it.

God

God’s Package B

1.…2.…3.…

Men usually chooseGod’s Package A

1. …2. …3. …

God’s Package B

1. …2. …3. …

Wherever a person’s destiny appears fixed, it was always preceded by their own free choice, and was the result of it.

Once a person has firmly made their choice and the door is closed, the destiny they have chosen is then fixed for them.

People make their own free choice.


C. What makes

people do wrong?

1. Evil comes from Satan and from men’s hearts2. Does God make people do wrong?

1. Evil comes from Satan and men’s hearts

“The serpent deceived me, and I ate” Gen 3:13 NIV

“You come from your father, the devil, and you want to do what your father desires” Jn 8:44

“Evil thoughts come from the heart: murder, adultery, immorality, theft, lying…” Mt 19:19

“The evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored in his heart” Lk 6:45

C. What makes people do wrong?

2. Does God make people do wrong?

No!

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways” Ps 145:17

“You love righteousness” Ps 45:7

Many verses reflect God’s hatred for evil.No good evidence that God makes the innocent do wrong.

Though:• God may make use of sinful men when bringing judgment,

eg Babylonians 586BC and Romans 70AD.• God may consign evildoers to doing further evil, eg Dt 28:36• God may bring disaster in judgment, but this does not cause

the innocent to do wrong, eg Flood, Sodom, exiles

C. What makes people do wrong?


1. What God wants vs What God predicts2. Why God tells us the future3. God’s predictions don’t make anyone do wrong4. God treats people as if he didn’t know their future

God

• God often wants men to do one thing, but predicts they will do something else instead

• If God predicts something evil, we should not assume that he wanted it

1. What God wants vs What God predictsD. God knows the future

God A B

1. What God wants vs What God predicts God


What God wanted What God predicted

“You shall have no other gods before me. … You shall not bow down to them or worship them” Ex 20:3,5 ESV

“They will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me” Dt 31:20 NIV

“Watch and pray that you won’t fall into temptation” Mt 26:41

“You will all fall away from me tonight” Mt 26:31

“This is how God loved the world: he sent his only son, so that anyone who trusts and believes him can have eternal life” Jn 3:16

“Your father in heaven does not want any of these little ones to perish” Mt 18:14

“Enter through the narrow door, because it is a wide door and broad way that leads to destruction, and many go through it; but it is a narrow door and a difficult way that leads to life, and only a few find it” Mt 7:13-14

2. Why God tells us the future God


a. Predicting good assures us of God’s goodwill, and gives hope, eg Gen 15:5

b. Predicting bad-then-good helps people to maintain trust in God and not to give up hope during the bad period, eg Jn 14:28-29

2. Why God tells us the future 2God


c. Predicting bad outcomes that can be avoided, helps us to avoid them eg Jonah & Nineveh

d. Predictions of unavoidable bad events, without good following – none?

Jonah & Nineveh?

2. Why God tells us the future 3God


God tells us the future to:

• help us pursue the good outcomes

• avoid or withstand the bad events

3. God is careful how he reveals the futureGod


Predestination would require ALL of these:

Freewill God actually does one of:

Predict their evil actions before they can choose AND

Judges people after they decided on an evil path

Identify the person or group who will do evil AND

Make anonymous predictions of evil which no individual is obliged to fulfil

Predict evil actions that incur judgment and destruction AND

Predict good or neutral events which do not result in their destruction

Condemn the person for doing the predicted evil

Forgive failures which he knows are inevitable

God is careful to reveal the future in ways that don’t make people do wrong.

a. God judges people after they have chosen to do evilGod

D. God knows the future: 3. God is careful how he reveals the future

Jesus predicted the Pharisees’ fate after they publicly accused him of witchcraft and decided to kill him

Jesus identified Judas as his betrayer and declared his fate after Judas accepted money to betray him

These predict judgment of evil paths they had already chosen;they did not predict their path in advance. (Not predestination.)

Mt 12 Mt 16—

Mt 26:14 Mt 26:20—

b. God does not identify who will do evilGod

These prophecies of evil don’t say who would do it, so no-one is obliged to be the one to fulfill them. (Not predestination).

“Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” Ps 41:9 NIVDoesn’t identify the “friend” or what he would do.Didn’t even look like a prophecy until it was fulfilled.

“…it is a wide door and broad way that leads to destruction, and many go through it” Mt 7:13

Doesn’t name the “many”.No one is obliged to be one of the “many”.


c. God predicts a person will do good or neutral actionsGod

These prophecies don’t cause the persons named to do evil.

“The [nation of the] greater will serve the [nation of the] younger” Gen 25:23Not evil to serve the people of Israel.Didn’t require Esau to despise his birthright or Jacob to deceive.

“Today you will be with me in paradise” Lk 23:43


d. God forgives sin that was unavoidableGod

The pressures of the situation, and their own character, meant that doing wrong was unavoidable for them; but they weren’t condemned for it.

“You will deny me three times tonight, before the cock crows” Mt 26:34

—Peter said he would rather die, but his failure was inevitable; but he was forgiven and became a leader among the believers

“You will all fall away from me tonight” Mt 26:31—All declared they were willing to die with him, but their failure was inevitable; but they returned and went on to be apostles


God urges people to do right.

God is careful not to say anything which would cause a person to do wrong and so come into judgment.

God


God

D. God knows the future: 3. God’s predictions don’t make anyone do wrong because…

What about:

“None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction [Judas] so that Scripture would be fulfilled” Jn 17:12 NIV

?

God


Greek text actually says:

“None of them was lost except the son of destruction with the result that (hina) Scripture be fulfilled” Jn 17:12

God


Gk hina G2671 = “with the result that”; introduces an outcome. (294x in gospels) = so that or that or to or and so

Translated in NIV: to 104, so that 54, that 49, (omitted) 22, for 11, so 8, to let 5, want 3, reason 3, etc

so that…

and so… ask that…

God


Greek hina may link an action and result even though the action was not done for the purpose of getting that result:

Eg “Who sinned, this man or his parents, with the result that (hina) he was born blind?” John 9:2“…you [Pharisees] will flog them [prophets and teachers] in your synagogues and persecute them from city to city, and so (hina) upon you will come all the righteous blood shed in the land…” Mt 23:34

and so

God


Better translation:

“None of them was lost except the son of destruction, so (hina) fulfilling the Scripture” Jn 17:12

Optionally, address Mt 26:54 “how then would the scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way” – God did not want Jesus to fight

4. God knows the future, but treats people as if he didn’t.

eg Judas the BetrayerJesus knew from the beginning who would betray him Jn 6:64

Judas went out and worked miracles with the twelve Mt 10:1-4

Judas went to the priests and agreed to betray Jesus Mt 26:14-16

Jesus then said one of them would betray him Mt 26:21 Jn 13:21

The disciples stared at each other, at a loss to know who he meant Jn 13:22

They asked him one by one, “Is it me?” Mk 14:19

They had no idea.Jesus treated Judas the same as the rest.

God


E. Paul’s Teaching of

Predestination

1. The key issue: God’s intentions towards the lost2. Paul’s sequence of logic in Romans 93. Paul’s three examples of “rejected in advance”4. The “Chosen”5. Implications of predestination

1. Key Issue: God’s intentions towards the lost

Those who are ultimately savedAll agree that God always wanted to save them, drew them to himself, and influenced them to believe Jesus

Those who are ultimately lostFreewill says that God wanted to save them, but the lost chose to reject his invitation.Predestination asserts that God decided in advance that he would destroy these ones; that they have no choice in the matter, and their actions and efforts can’t make any difference to their fate. Doomed from birth.

E. Paul & Predestination

2. Paul’s sequence of logic in Romans 9

Those God predestines, chooses, calls, justifies and glorifies (all the same group) cannot be separated from God’s love Rom 8:28-39

Not all Israelites are (truly) Israel, but only those whom God has chosen or made a promise regarding Rom 9:1-9

Gives three examples of people apparently doomed in advance by God: Esau, some Israelites, and Pharaoh Rom 9:10-18

Concludes “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” Rom 9:16 and describes two groups: “the objects of his wrath, prepared for destruction” and “the objects of his mercy, prepared in advance for glory” Rom 9:19-24 NIV


2. Paul’s main conclusion

“It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire (thelō) or effort, but on God’s mercy” Rom 9:16 NIV


“If you want (thelō) to enter life, keep the commandments” Mt 19:17

“Try very hard to enter through the narrow gate, because many will try but will not be able to” Lk 13:24

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength” Mk 12:30

Paul Jesus

3. Those apparently doomed in advance

Those God predestines, chooses, calls, justifies and glorifies (all the same group) cannot be separated from God’s love Rom 8:28-39

Not all Israelites are true Israelites, but only those whom God has chosen or made a promise regarding Rom 9:1-9

Gives three examples of people apparently rejected in advance by God: Esau, some Israelites, and Pharaoh Rom 9:10-18

Concludes “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” Rom 9:16 and describes two groups: “the objects of his wrath, prepared for destruction” and “the objects of his mercy, prepared in advance for glory” Rom 9:19-24 NIV


?

?

(a) Esau: doomed in advance? 1

E. Paul & Predestination: 3. Those apparently rejected in advance

Paul:

“Rebecca had one pregnancy by our father Isaac, and before they were born or had done anything good or evil—so that the purpose of being chosen by God might stand, not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The greater will serve the lesser”; just as it is written, “I loved Jacob, but hated Esau” Rom 9:10-13



Paul:

“Rebecca had one pregnancy by our father Isaac, and before they were born or had done anything good or evil—so that the purpose of being chosen by God might stand, not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The greater will serve the lesser”; just as it is written, “I loved Jacob, but hated Esau” Rom 9:10-13

“Two nations are in your womb; two separate peoples will come from your body. One people will be stronger than the other people, and the greater will serve the younger”Gen 25:23

“I loved Jacob, but hated Esau”Mal 1:2-3


• Prophecy applied to the Edomites, not to Esau himself.

• To serve the nation of Israel was neither sin nor destruction.(In the Kingdom, all nations will serve Zion Jerusalem Isaiah 60:10-12).

• Esau despised birthright because of hunger, not prophecy Gen 25:29-34Esau did not serve Jacob (or no record of it).Edomites became hostile from Num 20:18 but did not serve Israel.Edomites became subject to King David 2 Sam 8:14. (700 years later).



“I loved Jacob, but hated Esau” is from Mal 1:2-3:

• A judgment made 1400 years after they died; not predictive.

• Edom (Esau) was judged by God for its violence and invasion against Israel in the 500s BC Lam 4:22 Ezek 25:12-14 Ezek 36:5 Joel 3:19

• The Malachi judgment of Esau’s nation comes after all these.Misleading to quote it as if predestination.

• This is judgment, not predestination.


(a) Esau: Conclusions

• Prophecy said only that a future generation of Edomites would serve Israel, which is not evil or destruction for them.

• God’s much later judgment of Edom was because of their violence against Israel.

Esau’s story does not support the idea that God dooms specific individuals in advance for sin and/or destruction.


(b) Israelites: Doomed in advance? 1

Paul:

“For God says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I would have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I would have compassion.’ So then, it is not for the person who wants it, or for the person who exerts themself, but for the person to whom God shows mercy”Rom 9:15; quotes Exod 33:19



Israelites worshipped golden calf Ex 32Moses asked God to forgive them, or else blot his name out of God’s book Ex 32:31-32

“The LORD said to Moses, “I will blot out of my book whoever sinned against me… On the day I punish, I will punish them for their sin”, and the Lord afflicted the people because of the calf they and Aaron made” Ex 32:33-34

God told Moses to lead the people on and his angel would go before them, but God himself wouldn’t go with them because he might destroy the people because they were so stiff-necked Ex 33:1-4



Moses pleaded with God not to send them on unless his Presence went with them. Ex 33:12-16

The LORD told Moses, “I will do what you have asked, because I am pleased with you.” Ex 33:17

Moses asked to see his glory.Then…



Paul:

“For God says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I would have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I would have compassion.’ So then, it is not for the person who wants it, or for the person who exerts themself, but for the person to whom God shows mercy” Rom 9:15; quotes Exod 33:19


“The LORD said, “I will make all my goodness go before you (singular), and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you (singular), and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Ex 33:19


God punished people for the sins they committed (worshipping golden calf) and showed grace and compassion to those who pleased him (esp. Moses).The verse Paul quoted (Exod 33:19) indicates that God’s mind was firmly made up by this point—on the basis of actions they had already done.

Judgment, not predestination.


(c) Pharaoh: Doomed in advance? 1

Paul:

“For the scripture says about Pharaoh, ‘I raised you up for this reason, so that I could show my power in you, and so that my name would be declared in all the land.’ So then, God shows mercy to those he wants to, and he hardens those he wants to.” Rom 9:17-18; quoting Exod 9:16



Pharaoh and the Egyptians were enslaving and oppressing the Israelites in suffering, misery and groaning Ex 3:7-10

The previous Pharaoh (and likely this one too) killed thousands of Hebrew babies Ex 1:22

Pharaoh had already done great evil by his own choice.After this, any punishment from God was judgment, not predestination.



God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to let the people go… Ex 3

“But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go” Ex 3:19-20 ESV

God told Pharaoh (via Moses) to let the people go, >10x.God wanted Pharaoh to let the people go.Resistance came from Pharaoh.


“…see all the wonders I have given you the power to do before Pharaoh, and/but (ve- H2256) I will strengthen (chazaq H2616) Pharaoh’s heart and/but (ve- H2256) he will not let the people go.” Ex 4:21 lit.

NIV “But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go” is probably influenced by Paul’s interpretation in Rom 9



Strengthen (chazaq H2616) 291x in the NIV

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90strengthen

take holdrepair

hardenencourage

(various)

(omitted)

NIV translation of chazaq



Strengthen (chazaq H2616) is positive

The Lord said to Moses: “…Joshua son of Nun, who is with you, will go [into the land]. Encourage (chazaq) him, because he will give it to Israel for their inheritance” Dt 1:38

The Lord said to Joshua: “Always be strong and courageous” Josh 1:7

When the angel appeared to Daniel, Daniel said: “I have no strength left and I can’t breathe.” 18 The man in the vision touched me again and gave me strength. 19 He said, “Don’t be afraid, beloved man. Peace to you. Be strong; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I became stronger and said, “Let my Lord speak, now you have given me strength.” Dan 10:17-19



“…see all the wonders I have given you the power to do before Pharaoh, and/but (ve- H2256) I will strengthen (chazaq H2616) Pharaoh’s heart and/but (ve- H2256) he will not let the people go.” Ex 4:21 lit.

May mean that God would give Pharaoh strength to make his own decision and not be overwhelmed by the signs/plagues.



increase/make weighty (kabed1 H3877) 114x in the NIV

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70honor, glorify, respect, renown

make heavy, weigh down

harden

wealthy, reward

increase, multiply

(various)(omitted)

NIV translation of kabed1



increase/make weighty (kabed1 H3877)

Root meaning “(make) heavy”

Wide range of meanings, deduced from context.

Usually positive or neutral.

Used ~interchangeably with strengthen (chazaq) in Exodus, eg Ex 9:34-35.

May mean no more than “strengthen”.

All “harden”s are re Pharaoh.

kabed1 H38771. (make) heavy2. honour3. glorify4. (make) wealthy5. intensify, high degree6. reward7. (make) proud8. (make) numerous9. (make) fail10. pretend importance11. harden, (make) dull12. burden, cause trouble



Event Response Pharaoh’s heart subsequently

Snake sign Ex 7:9-13 nil Was strong (chazaq) Ex 7:13

1. Nile to blood Ex 7:14-24 nil Was strong (chazaq) Ex 7:22

2. Frogs Ex 8:1-15 Agreed Made heavy (kabed1) his own heart Ex 8:15

3. Gnats Ex 8:16-19 nil Was strong (chazaq) Ex 8:19

4. Flies Ex 8:20-32 Agreed Made heavy (kabed1) his own heart Ex

5. Livestock Ex 9:1-7 nil Was heavy (kabed1) Ex 9:7

6. Boils Ex 9:8-12 nil Lord strengthened Pharaoh’s heart Ex 9:12

7. Hail Ex 9:13-35 Agreed Made heavy own heart so it was strong Ex 9:34-5; Lord made heavy his heart Ex 10:2

8. Locusts Ex 10:1-20 Agreed Lord strengthened Pharaoh’s heart Ex 10:20

9. Darkness Ex 10:21-29 ~Agreed Lord strengthened Pharaoh’s heart Ex 10:27

10. Firstborn Ex 11:1-10 Agreed Lord strengthened Pharaoh’s heart Ex 14:8



Conclusions on Pharaoh’s heart:

• Pharaoh chose to resist God’s command to let the people go, repeatedly, before God did anything to his heart.

• At the most, God locked him into his own chosen path (closed the door on him; change no longer possible)

• At the least, God strengthened him so he could make his own free decision when no longer under duress



God said to Pharaoh (via Moses):“By now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague and destroyed you from the land. But this is why I have caused you to stand/stay (`amad H6641): so that you would see my power and my name would be proclaimed throughout the land.” Ex 9:15-16 lit.

Pharaoh & the Egyptians deserved to be wiped out, but God allowed them to stay and see his power and learn to respect his name.

Shows mercy in judgment, not predestination.



(c) Pharaoh: Conclusions

• Entire saga was in judgment after Pharaoh had done evil.(Predestination would have to be in advance).

• God first gave Pharaoh 7 chances to do as he told him (with the snake sign and 6 plagues), without touching his heart.

• God had reason to wipe the Egyptians out by this point, but instead he let them stand/stay so they could see his power and his name could be proclaimed in the land (Ex 9:16)

• God then strengthened and increased/made-weighty Pharaoh’s heart —possibly to allow a free decision without duress, or possibly to lock Pharaoh into the path he had chosen for himself (from Ex 10:1 onwards)

• Pharaoh had freewill; God showed mercy in judgment.


Paul’s 3 examples

Jacob and Esau:• Prophecy wasn’t of evil

or destruction; didn’t doom Esau• “Esau I hated” was a

judgment, long after Edomites did evil

Moses & Israel after the golden calf episode:• Occurred after idolatry• Statement of whom

God had decided to have mercy on

Pharaoh & plagues:• Occurred after

enslaving and brutalising Hebrews• Given 7 chances to let

the people go but chose not to himself• God showed mercy in

letting him stand/stayNone support predestination.


4. The “Chosen” or “Elect” 1 (OPTIONAL)

eklektos (chosen ones, G1723) from eklegomai (to choose, G1721)

Predestinationists claim that eklektos means “the elect” chosen by God for salvation before the foundation of the world. (Paul does use the word this way, eg Rom 8:33.)

These are general words, for choosing anything for any purpose:• Jesus chose 12 disciples to be apostles Lk 6:13

• Mary chose the better place Lk 10:42

• The believers chose Stephen for a task Acts 6:5

• Jesus was God’s messiah, the chosen one Lk 23:35.

• “Many are called, but few are chosen” Mt 22:14

By itself, don’t imply what something is chosen for, or on what basis.

E. Paul & Predestination:

In OT, choose/chosen is bachar1 H1047 (157x).

Applied to many choices: place chosen for God’s sanctuary, city chosen for a purpose, various kings chosen by God, Israel as God’s chosen people, etc.

Chosen (bachar1) often applied to Israel as God’s chosen people Dt 4:7 7:6-7 10:15 14:2 Ps 33:12 Is 14:1 41:8 44:1

eklektos (chosen ones, G1723) in gospels probably refers to the Israelites in most places Mt 24:22,24,31 Mk 13:20,22,27 Lk 18:7

eg “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the chosen ones those days will be shortened” Mt 24:22

Context is the punishment and suffering of Israel (see Lk 21:23-24), and suggests that the persecution of Jews would never erase them.

E. Paul & Predestination: 4. The “Chosen” or “Elect”

5. Implications of “predestination”

Negative view of God, making it hard to trust him:• Says that God causes people to do evil and reject him, and then

punishes them for it! Unjust.• Says God is a source/cause of evil, leading to the mentality that

God ‘allows’ evil and wants people to do evil things or is even responsible for it. Blames God for the actions of evil men and Satan.

Loss of salvation:• Complacency among those who consider themselves

predestined for salvation; fail to make the necessary effort.• Indifference or fatalism towards those who appear to be lost or

resistant to God; they are “doomed” anyway.


5. Implications of “predestination” 2

Failure to find out and choose to do what God wants:• Fail to take responsibility for our choices and actions.• Assume that God’s will always happens; therefore see no need

to spend effort finding out what God wants and doing it.


F. Implications of Freewill

• God always wants us to do good and have a good destiny, but men usually choose evil (influenced by Satan).

• God is on our side and can be trusted.

• Our choice and decisions are vital to our destiny.

• We need to make a significant effort to keep choosing right and follow it through with our actions.

God is good and wants everyone to do what is right.We are responsible for our decisions, actions and destiny.

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Freewill and Choice. Great effort has been made to keep this presentation freely reproducible in its entirety. Omitting parts (especially these acknowledgements