suggest. Rather, God has consistently expressed His desire for the repentance and faith of every person (Matt. 23:37; Rom. 10:31; Ezek. 18:30–31; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4; Hos. 3:1). The audience walked away because God had sealed them in their rebellious condition for a period of time in order to accomplish His redemptive plan, as prophesied (Acts 2:23). Israel did not reject God because God rejected them. Rather, God temporarily hardened those in their rebellious, calloused condition in order to accomplish redemption for all,[61] including the very ones who were being judicially hardened (Rom.
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