Yes, the scripture is offensive to our sinful nature. This is most certainly true when used rightly. The proper use will always show man’s condition before a Holy God. The important thing is to make sure to allow the scripture to do what God has designed it to do, which is to show Christ for sinners. That offense is of God not our use or misuse of God’s words.
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. Romans 9:1-5 ESV
These verses from Romans 9 tells us who this passage is speaking to. We see God is not explaining how he deals with all of humanity. Instead this is how he has dealt with the seed of Israel. We see in scripture the nation Israel was dealt with more severely by our Lord than other nations. Why would this be? For it was through Israel that the Christ would come.
Like all of humanity Israel rebelled constantly against God. In order to return her to true repentance many judgments were laid on her by God using various means to bring it about. These means varied from Esau, the brother of Jacob, to Pharaoh and natural calamity. So broad and deep is the rebellion of mankind against our Lord that even those to whom the promise was given needed to be brought back to faith.
Therefore instead of the natural choice of the eldest son, Isaac, inheriting the promise, it was the younger son, Jacob, to whom the promise was given. In order to have a grand exodus for the children of Israel, Pharaoh was raised up. Instead of a mean and vengeful God, we have a loving Father seeking to bring his chosen to repentance in order to bring forth the Lamb for the salvation of the world.
This is the golden thread throughout all of scripture. The discussion comes back to that of Jesus, who took the sins of the entire human race and bore them to the cross, resurrecting on the third day after burial for the Justification of those same sinners. God will stop at nothing in order to bring proud humanity to the realization of the need for a Savior.
Trust this good news and live in the peace it gives. In the name of Jesus. Amen †
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