God choosing whoever He wants to use for His glory and plan, whether that be a Pharaoh or a Preacher makes Him look unfair doesn’t it?
It’s like wanting to have the major starring role in the school play but always being chosen for the props person. Not many Oscars are won for being in charge of the props. But what about the villain? More to the point what about the villains in real life who appear to be used of God but who do damage to their position and to people? Why does God use manipulative, narcissistic, arrogant characters?
“What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.” (Romans 9 v 14-18)
Paul uses the story of Pharaoh (Exodus 9) to show that even Putin’s and Pharaohs are used in the story of God.
Pharaoh’s hardened heart in not releasing God’s people moved Moses into a miraculous season of a demonstration of God’s power from the signs to the parting of the Sea.
Does this apply to salvations so that we can say God determines who will be saved and who will not be? Some would say yes and many argue endlessly all their lives.
I don’t know. I’m not sure it makes a whole lot of difference to me.
But what I do focus on is God’s justice and fairness on the roles people play in history and the role I play is determined by His perfect just character. It is hard in the middle of the storm to see the finger of God working through the Pharaoh who harmed you. But later you will see Him, you will see the good that has come from the bad, you will see His glory and others will see His glory displayed in your suffering.
Missions Paul 