From this paper, hopefully a help with the main teachings in this chapter:
http://bible-truths.com/kennedy2.htmAgain, Dr. Kennedy, let’s read Romans 9:18 in the whole context of its setting, and we will see that the final destination of those "hardened" is not eternal torture in the flames of Hell, but rather salvation in the Family of God. Notice:
"For the scripture is saying to Pharaoh that ‘For this selfsame thing I rouse you up, so that I should be displaying in you My power, and so that My name should be published in the entire earth.’ Consequently, then, to whom He will, He is merciful, yet whom He will, He is hardening" (Rom. 9:17-18).
Pharaoh was hardened as a dark backdrop for the display of God’s power and glory. Some protest to God’s operations (Vers. 19-21). God is the Master Potter and has a right to make vessels adapted for destruction, so that He can display His mercy on others (Vers. 22-24).
God is now calling sons out of the nations, while Israel [the hardened ones] "stumble on the stumbling stone" (Vers. 25-33). Paul’s heart is set on their salvation, however (Rom. 10:1-2). "Everyone, whoever should be invoking the name of the Lord, shall be saved" (Ver. 13). Paul says, however, that this is not possible unless they "believe," "from one heralding," who is "commissioned" (Vers. 14-16). But Isaiah asks: "Lord, who believes our tidings?" (Ver. 16). Obviously not "hardened Israel." So God says: "I became disclosed to those who are not inquiring of Me" [the Gentiles] (Ver. 20).
Paul then says:
"Does not God thrust away His people? May it not be coming to that!" (Rom. 11:1).
That is unthinkable to Paul. So he quickly assures us that:
"God does not thrust away His people whom He foreknew" (Ver 2).
Of course God foreknew everything that is happening in the history of Israel from their beginning. Although Israel as a nation has been hardened, and become "a stubborn and contradicting people" (Ver. 21), nonetheless, even in Paul’s day God called a "... remnant according to the choice of grace" (Ver. 5). However,
"Now the rest were calloused, even as it is written, God gives them a spirit of stupor, eyes not to be observing, and ears not to be hearing, till this very day" (Ver. 6).
Why does God harden Israel and callous them? So that He can torture them in fire for all eternity? Ridiculous. Paul answers his own question:
"Do they [Israel] not trip that they should be falling? May it not be coming to that! But in their offense is salvation to the nations, to [to what? Have a reason for throwing them in Hell for eternity?] provoke them to jealousy" (Ver. 11).
God uses evil FOR GOOD! Israel’s hardened and calloused heart is preparing them for salvation! They will be so jealous when they see what God has done for the Gentiles.
Paul summarizes this whole process by stating:
"For if their [Israel] casting away is the conciliation of the world, what will the taking back be if not life from among the dead?" (Ver. 15).
And this: "... that callousness, in part, on Israel has come, until the complement of the nations may be entering" (Ver. 25).
And then what happens?
"And thus ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED ..." (Ver. 26). "I should be eliminating their sins" (Ver. 27).