Romans 9:1 - 15

Knowing the permanent nature of God's blessing and wrath, Paul states he has such a great desire to see his fellow countrymen come to a right understanding and relationship with God that he would willingly trade an eternity separated from God in hell if it meant that his countrymen would enjoy God's relationship blessings. What a statement! Why have his compatriots not come to that point? It is not that God's Word is ineffective - all who are trusting God for salvation by the means He lays out are His true children. It is not that God is unrighteous in His dealings with men - as Sovereign over the universe, He decides upon whom He will show mercy.