Hearts

Joshua 11:19-20 - There was not a city that made peace with the people of Israel except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took them all in battle. For it was the Lord's doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

Romans 9:18 - So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

Judges 14:4 - His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.

Application:

• ·         God has sovereign control of history, yet His will never denies our personal and moral freedom.
• ·         Mercy on whomever He wills cannot mean that God is arbitrary in His mercy, because Paul ultimately bases God’s rejection of Israel on her unbelief.
• ·         The Lord uses even the sinful weaknesses of men to accomplish His purposes and bring praise to His name.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV