Determinist believe that, before the two children were born, Jacob was loved and destined to salvation; and Esau was hated and destined to destruction. Let’s mediate it!
The first example of God’s rejection of a son in the prerogative of the firstborn was Isaac and Ishmael. He used it as an allegory of children born of the flesh and children born of the Spirit. Ishmael was born with much human driving and Isaac came from waiting on the promises of God. The discussion of Romans 9:6–9 had nothing to do with the children themselves, rather relying on an arm of flesh or the Spirit.
“And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”[Gen 25:23] — (Rom 9:10-12) That is all that is said, in the birth of narrative. “Nothing can be more evident to any one that considers the beginning and end of this chapter (Romans 9), than that the apostle is not speaking of the election of particular persons to eternal life, but of particular nations to outward church privileges, which duly used, through Christ, should be the means of bringing men to eternal life, and to higher degrees of glory therein than others should enjoy, who were not favoured with these privileges. Nor is God, the great Governor of the world, on this account, any more to be deemed a respecter of persons, than an earthly king, who takes some of his subjects for lords of his bed- chamber, and others for lower employments; since he will make them all, that behave well in their station, completely happy.” (Sellon)
“As it is written, ‘Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.’ [Malachi 1:2-3] (Rom 9:13) This quote was not from the Pentateuch. It had nothing to do with the two sons or the differing love of God for them. This word was spoken by a prophet who wrote the last book of the Old Testament. He was talking about nations. It is titled: “The burden of the Word (Dabar)of the LORD (Messiah) to Israel by Malachi.” This is the burden:
“I have loved you,” says Yahweh. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother?’… Yet Jacob I have loved; but Esau I have hated, and laid waste his mountains and his heritage for the jackals of the wilderness.” (Malachi 1:1-3)
This was said by Yahweh God after the end of their story, not before it began. “The prophet is speaking of people of Jacob and Easu, with particular reference to the Edomite’s refusal to come to Israel’s aid at a time of difficulty.” (D. Stuart Briscoe) It is God’s faithfulness to the nation of Edom that is the question. They were descendants of Abraham, but it did not seem that the word of the LORD had an effect on them. What happened?
This is the exact same question that Paul was addressing concerning Israel. Had the Messiah failed them too?
Due to sin of failure to love their brother nation, Edom had no heritage in Israel. And as a group they responded, “We have been impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places.” There was no repentance nor faith in the words spoken. So, the LORD of hosts said: “They may build, but I will throw down; they shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, and the people against whom the LORD will have indignation forever. Your eyes shall see, and you shall say, 'The LORD is magnified beyond the border of Israel.' A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?” (Malachi 1:4-5) This casting off of Edom and Israel should make us desire to emulate the patriarchs— Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Comments