What event in Moses' life is Romans 9 referring to when it speaks of God's compassion and mercy?
Romans 9 refers to the golden calf incident, when Moses was flat on his face before God. In that setting God declared, "I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion, and I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy," asserting His sovereign authority to show mercy according to His own will.
Les explains that Romans 9 points back to the episode of the golden calf, when Moses was flat on his face before God. There God told Moses that He would have compassion on whom He would have compassion and mercy on whom He would have mercy, because He is sovereign and the final authority. Paul then states that it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who showeth mercy.
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
More Questions
Why does Romans 9 say God is not unrighteous when He chooses whom to show mercy?
In Romans 9 Paul says God is not unrighteous or unfair, and the basis he gives is God's declaration to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.'