10Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. 11Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: 12not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger."[
d] 13Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."[
e] 14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15For he says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."[
f] 16It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. 17For the 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."[
g] 18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
My question is as follows: If the Lord said in Scripture that He is not willing that anyone should perish but have eternal life, then why does this Scripture say that God raised Pharoah up for the sole purpose of allowing his heart to remain hardened? This seems contradictory yet I know that God loves everyone, doesn't He? How do I know if I'm one of those "chosen" to be hardened or not to attain Heaven? This confuses me. Anyone have feedback for me? I have another question but will ask in another post. Thanks!