To be honest, there are passages in Scripture that, when I read them, it is like stepping on to holy ground . . . and then, there are those that are like walking on rice paper. Romans 8 is an example of the former . . . it draws you into the very presence of God and drives you to your face in awe and thanksgiving. But Romans 9 is an example of the latter . . . while it too is filled with amazing truths, they are the “thoughts that are higher than our thoughts and the ways that higher than our ways” (Isa. 55:8-9) . . . and, at least at first, instead of falling facedown we might be more inclined to scratch our heads . . . and cause some to question God . . . and cause some to talk back.

“But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?” (Rom. 9:20-21 NKJV)

“Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, ‘Why did you shape me like this?’ Isn’t it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?” (Rom. 9:20-21 MSG)

Peterson’s paraphrase in The Message might come across a bit harsh, but I think he kind of captures the essence of the question pretty well. It is kind of folly and arrogance for the creation to try and debate the wisdom of the Creator. When you step back, it is kind of silly for the pot to question the potter. But sometimes we believers are prone to do just that. Sometimes, though we shouldn’t, we talk back.

While there are many things I now grasp, at least in some measure, because I have been “called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Peter 2:9) it’s also true that “now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1Cor. 13:12 ESV). Though I’m now in relationship with God . . . though I no longer live but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20) . . . though I have the mind of Christ and access through the Sprit to the wisdom of God (1Cor. 2:12-16) . . . this piece of pottery . . . this jar of clay . . . is still a work in progress . . . still this side of heaven . . . still working out my salvation with fear and trembling. So, to argue with God doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.

When you think about it, there’s a bit of the old man at work when we talk back to God. A bit of pride . . . mixed with Satan’s worn out line, “Has God really said” (Gen 3:1) . . . mixed with a propensity to want to create a god in our own image. When we talk back, aren’t we really saying, “If I were God then it would be like this.” Think about that . . . how scary would it be if I were God.

Nope . . . there’s really not any place for the lump of clay to talk back to the potter. Not that God seeks to oppress us . . . not that God isn’t open to questions born out of our confusion or desire to understand Him and His ways better. But when we talk back . . . when we question parts of His word because, to our finite minds, they don’t align with how we think God should work . . . then we’re kind of walking on shifting sand. Instead we should be walking by faith (2Cor. 5:7). I read a passage like Romans 9 and while it might be difficult to fully understand . . . and while some of the implications might seem contrary to the implications of other Scripture I’ve read . . . mine is to ask the Spirit to help me grasp these high and holy truths, trusting in the goodness and grace of the God who reveals them. And, it’s a reminder that God is God.

And so, far from wanting to “talk back”, I just sit back in awe and wonder at my Creator God. And, as a lump of clay in the Potter’s hands, I want to give back praise and thanksgiving for being a recipient of His amazing grace . . . for having been privileged to grasp just a bit of the riches of His glory (Rom. 9:23). He is God and nothing less . . . I am man and nothing more . . . saved by His grace and for His glory . . . that much I get . . . amen!