~ from email ~
On the matter of whether election is random, or otherwise based on foreseen conditions in us, I have addressed this a number of times and in different ways in my writings, so instead of repeating everything, I will offer a short answer.
Suppose I tell you that I am making two containers, one for precious jewelry, and the other one for trash. After I have made them, I proceed to put jewelry into one, and put trash into another. When you see this, would you ask me if I have chosen their functions at random? Pay attention! It would make no sense to ask me this. I created each one for its purpose. I decided what I would do with each before they existed.
Your question would make sense only if you present to me two containers that I did not make, and I choose one for jewelry and the other one for trash. Then you can ask me if I selected them at random, or if I perceived characteristics in one that made it appropriate for jewelry, and characteristics in the other that made it appropriate for trash.
The Bible teaches election as the basis for creation. God did not foresee individuals who would be created by some other power, and then choose to save some of them, either at random or because of certain traits that they would possess. Rather, he creates each individual with salvation or damnation in mind:
One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?'” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory — even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? (Romans 9:18-24)
God creates elect individuals as elect individuals, and he creates reprobate individuals as reprobate individuals. Given what the Bible teaches about election, your question makes no sense. It would be applicable only if God is not the creator. It would make sense only if we first reject the Christian God and reject the Christian faith, and then we can ask this question about a heathen or hypothetical deity who did not create the people.