Romans 9:14 What will we say then? Is there unrighteousness with G-d? G-d forbid.
The opening words of Romans 9:14 indicate that Sha'ul (Paul) is arguing with an assumed objector concerning things he has just said. If we where to identify what Paul may have imagined the objector to say:
The objector would say G-d is unfair in choosing someone for no reason and G-d is unfair for rejecting someone for no reason.
Romans 9:15-18 For he said to Moshe, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of G-d that shows mercy. For the scripture said to Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore has He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He harden.
If we trace Shaul's argument, what does each segment of the argument contribute to the whole?
9:14 G-d's righteousness
9:15 G-d's mercy and compassion
9:16 G-d's mercy
9:17 G-d's judgment and then G-d's sovereignty.
Romans 9:19-20 You will say then to me, Why does he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will? No but, O man, who are you that replies against G-d?
Why do you think Sha'ul (Paul) responds to the question of verse 19 as he does?
Will the thing formed say to him that formed it, why have you made me this way?
Romans 9:21 Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel into honor, and another into dishonor?
How does the illustration of the potter and the clay support his argument?
From where does Paul get this illustration of the potter and the clay?
Answer: Who is the creature to question the creator? It's not to smart to question G-d's ways. He is G-d and He is just. The potter chooses beforehand what he will use the pot for; just as G-d chooses beforehand what He will use us for.
Where else mentioned? See Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) 29:16, 45:9
Romans 9:22-32 What if G-d, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he has called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he said also in Hoshea (Hosea), I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it will come to pass, that in the place where it was said to them, You are not my people; there will they be called the children of the living G-d. Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) also cries concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant will be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the L-rd make on the earth. And as Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) said before, Except the L-rd of the Sabbath had left us a seed, we had been as S'dom (Sodom), and been made like unto Amora (Gomorrah). What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of trust (faith). But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. (Instruction) For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Why?
Because most did not pursue the attained righteousness by trust (faith) which is accredited to us. G-d's righteousness is accredited to us.
Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Tziyon (Zion) a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believes on Him will not be ashamed.
Yeshua was rejected by most of His brethren, the Jewish people. He was a Rock of Offense. This can also be found in Iyov (Job) whom was a "type" of Messiah.
Iyov (Job) 19:13-24 "He has removed my brothers far from me, and my acquaintances are completely estranged from me. "My relatives have failed, And my intimate friends have forgotten me. "Those who live in my house and my maids consider me a stranger. I am a foreigner in their sight. "I call to my servant, but he does not answer, I have to implore him with my mouth. "My breath is offensive to my wife (Israel), and I am loathsome to my own brothers. "Even young children despise me; I rise up and they speak against me. "All my associates abhor me, and those I love have turned against me. "My bone clings to my skin and my flesh, and I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth. "Pity me, pity me, O you my friends, for the hand of G-d has struck me. "Why do you persecute me as G-d does, and are not satisfied with my flesh? "Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book (scroll)! "That with an iron stylus and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!