Jacob Loved and Esau Hated Romans 9:13

Paul the apostle parenthetically told the people in Rome concerning Rebecca's sons, “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calls;), and he added, “It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.” In chapter nine and verse thirteen of Romans, Paul told his readers, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” where we read:

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

The verse begins, “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, ...” Paul began with the words, “as it is written” which means “delineated or formed with letters on a tablet, parchment, paper or other material”, “Jacob” whose name means “heel-catcher or sup-planter” and was “the second son of Isaac” “have I loved” or “God welcomed, entertained, was fond of, pleased and contented with”. Paul shared how God “was contented, pleased and loved” Jacob.

The verse goes on to say, “... but Esau have I hated. Paul added the words, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, moreover and” “Esau” whose name means “hairy” and was “was the eldest son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob ” “have I hated” which means “God pursued with hatred, loved less and detested”. Paul shared how God “detested” Esau.

When we think through these words of Paul, we notice he referred to Malachi chapter one and verses two and three, “I have loved you, says the LORD. Yet you say, Wherein have you loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? says the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.” God in his precognition knew that Jacob would follow after Him and that Esau would reject Him. God “loved” Jacob for this, and He detested Esau. God's invitation is for every person to come to Him through Jesus Christ His Son. Jesus died for every person' sin, and He died in their place. Those who believe this and turn their lives over to Jesus God loves like Jacob, and those who do not have put themselves in a place of “hatred” like unto Esau.

Next time we see Paul tell his readers, “it is not of him that wills...nor...runs”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.