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Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans:
“though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (Romans 9:11-12)
He was referring to the sons of Isaac, who were to inherit the blessings of God. Looking at the passage, this doesn’t sound like what we were taught about God. What does this mean?
The way I see it in scripture, God hates sin, the premise of that question. This is the key
that I shall focus on through the whole discourse. To start with, I find that this is the reason why God's chosen people were banished from His sight. Here is a brief on how it happened. In the beginning, God says he created man in His image (Gen. 1:27); hence man has free will as did God. But man negated that THROUGH a wrong choice, man sinned in Gen. 3. Thereon, the man never recovered from the fall, having borne Adam's fallen nature and with it the sinful nature (sinful nature) in the flesh that bounded the "will." (Gen. 5:1-3, cf. Rom. 5:12-14)
As man multiplied in number with that fallen nature, men became utterly sinful which God can no longer tolerate. Hence, he destroyed men in a deluge of rain (Gen. 6:5-7)—In line with our premise that God hates sin. However, having loved the world, He saved a family of eight people out of that generation to start with all over again. He called on Noah (Gen. 6:8) and commanded him to build an ark so that he and his family may be saved. He believed and thereby obeyed God, whereas Scripture tells us he was the only righteous man in that generation (Gen. 6:9-18, cf. Gen. 5:22-24)—the reason he got saved—still standing on to our premise that God hates sin. However, as men propagated themselves over the whole world still bearing Adam’s nature, men continued to thrive in sin. (Gen. 11:1-9)
We see that generally speaking, with a sinful nature, man cannot and will not live a righteous life. (Romance 7:15-18) Hence, they all fall under God’s wrath. And unless He responds to God's calling by faith as did Noah, man will live subject to His wrath (Our Premise). Hence, sometime later, God again called and started with one man, Abram, and named him Abraham. (Gen. 12:1-6) Whereby, He walked with him so that Abraham's belief would surely lead him to do what God wants him to do. And since Abraham did so (Gen. 18:18-19), He blessed him with a promise, subject to inheritance to his sons. (Gen. 17:1-18)
Now let’s go to the crux of the matter lest this becomes a lengthy book. Abraham had a son, Isaac, who had twins Esau and Jacob. The blessing should go to the firstborn, Esau, by tradition, but God chose Jacob, for God foresaw that Esau would rather be a wicked man than receive his blessing (Hebrews 12:16-17), Wherefore Jacob would be the one whom He would call instead of Esau, as he would value the blessing that can be had from his father Isaac (Romans 9:16) Now based on the fore-goings, what happens to anyone whom God calls when he responds with faith? Well, just like Noah, Abraham, and Isaac; He walks with him to ensure that he will do His pleasure. And what happens to those who choose not to walk with God? Well, simply put, they will remain subject to His wrath for they will surely live in sin. (Rom. 3:9-18)
Hence Paul says it depends on God’s choice. Since Esau was not chosen, it follows that he will surely live in depravity. And since His choice was Jacob, God walked with him, thereby, his ways were mended, as did Noah, Abraham, and Isaac; God’s righteous branch. (Matt. 1:2-17, cf. 7:16-20)
Thus, we have Esau hated by God and Jacob He loved. (Our Premise)
On this basis, one might ask, as in Romans 9:19-20: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” Paul responded to that hypothetical question, in this manner: “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter [sin] will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." (2 Timothy 2:2-21) That response was taken after Ephesians 2:10 and we may add to that Isaiah 55:8-9; showing why God is sovereign.
What more can be said regarding this, but to take Paul’s conclusion, “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort but God’s mercy.” (Romans 9:16 cf. Hebrews 12:16-17) But then again, another may ask, who are they to whom He had granted mercy? Well, just as the ancients of old, they are the ones who chose to WALKED WITH GOD, thus, God, vice-versa, WALKED WITH THEM as well, and, hence they were obedient by faith to his will. (2 Timothy. 2:19)
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