As believers, we sometimes have to accept God’s plan or will without a detailed explanation or clarity as to why. Here in Romans, we see that God chose Jacob over Esau to receive the covenant promise. It’s as if Paul knew we would question why God made that choice and addresses the question by stating that God is still just and reiterating God’s words to Moses in verse 15.
While we may not understand every action or choice that God makes, we trust in His character and sovereignty that He does all things according to His will and purposes that we cannot always fathom. Paul then suggests that God did not choose Jacob based on his desire to be chosen or efforts to be noticed by God, which makes sense considering he was still in the womb when he was chosen. In the same way, we cannot work to earn God’s mercy or receive it based on how much we desire it.
God shows us mercy and compassion because He chooses to. Praise God for His love that never wavers and is unconditional!