We have observed that God judicially hardens the calloused Israelites so as to accomplish redemption. We have also seen that God uses persuasive means, like signs and wonders, to call out some from Israel to fulfill the purpose for which this nation was elected. This purpose included (1) setting apart certain Israelites to be the lineage of the Messiah, and (2) setting apart certain Israelites to carry His divinely-inspired message to the world (by use of externally persuasive means), and (3) temporarily blinding the rest of Israel to accomplish redemption through their rebellion.
