Romans 9:15 : For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. It seems that Moses had grown somewhat discouraged on account of the waywardness of the children of Israel, and showed a reluctance to go on, unless God would show him some special favors. Was this a gentle reminder to Moses? God had shown mercy to his people in spite of all that Pharaoh could do, and he could, and would, continue to show them mercy even should Moses become discouraged. No one can keep God from showing mercy to whom he will. But to whom will he show mercy? "He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). And all the objections and efforts of the Jews would not keep him from having mercy on the Gentiles who turned to him. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7).