Connect Romans 9:12 with Genesis 25:23 regarding God's purpose for Jacob and Esau. Tracing the Promise: Jacob and Esau in One Sweeping View Genesis 25:23—“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” Romans 9:12—“not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’” Prophecy Before Performance •Spoken while the twins were still in the womb—before any works, merit, or personality could be displayed. •God announces national destinies (“two nations”) and family order reversal (“the older will serve the younger”). •The statement reveals a divine decision grounded solely in God’s purpose, not human effort. Paul’s Inspired Commentary in Romans 9 •Paul lifts Genesis 25:23 into his teaching on God’s sovereign choice. •He emphasizes the timing: “before the twins were born” (v. 11) and “not by works” (v. 12). •By quoting “The older will serve the younger,” Paul underlines that the covenant line would pass through Jacob, not Esau, illustrating that God’s call establishes blessing. God’s Purpose Unfolding: Key Observations •Sovereign election—Genesis predicts it; Romans explains it. •Grace over works—Jacob’s selection foreshadows salvation by grace, independent of human striving (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9). •Prophetic reliability—What God declared in Genesis is affirmed centuries later, showing Scripture’s harmony. Additional Scriptural Threads •Malachi 1:2-3—“Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated.” Highlights God’s covenant love for Jacob’s line. •Genesis 28:13-15—God reiterates the promise to Jacob personally at Bethel. •Hebrews 12:16-17—Esau’s later regret underscores that losing the birthright was irreversible, confirming the Genesis decree. •Ephesians 1:11—“having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” The principle Paul draws from Jacob’s election applies to every believer’s salvation. Practical Takeaways •Trust the unchanging Word—What God says, He accomplishes. •Rest in divine calling—Like Jacob, believers are chosen by grace, not self-effort. •See history through providence—Nations rise and fall, but God’s redemptive purpose marches on precisely. |
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