Paul has made it clear that salvation depends upon God alone; for he will have mercy upon who he has mercy. Even so, we know that God’s decreed will has clear and noticeable outcomes in people’s actions: Pharaoh’s heart was hardened and he did not let people go. So what has Israel done that demonstrated their failure to obtain the blessings? What is the source of their unbelief? Paul makes it clear: they pursued the law by works, not by faith. This is the failure of all who forsake the grace of Christ!
