Romans 9

1-33

Discussing what is the meaning of "Israel" now.
"Israel" bukanlah Israel dalam artian keturunan orang2 Yahudi, soalnya Israel saja by definition tidak lah di-trait melalui Yakub, tapi melalui ishak (7).

Now about pre-destination and fore-knew.
This is what we're thinking right now:
1. from the beginning, God already knew what way that you will pick based on your free-will, what kind of life that you will choose to lead based on your free-will.
2. now you come into being, you choose your path, you decide everything... *the* decision is yours solely, the catch is God already know whatever you would choose ;)
even if you decide becoming a bum by not choosing anything... God already knew that you will decide to become a bum anyway.
3. in a sense, you are pre-destined to be saved, or not be saved... and this ... 'selection' if you will, is God's sovereignity. the freewill is still there (see above) though.
This is a bit confusing 'course.. But the freewill, the predestination, the fore-knew still fit nicely somewhat.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." (Rom. 8:28-30, NASB)

33: stumbling stone
this is Jesus, and this passage applies to the jews who still waiting for their messiah.