Romans 9:13 – Love and Hate
As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
Truth to Learn
God chooses whom He loves and whom He hates.
Behind the Words
The word translated “loved” is from the verb agapaō, which refers to a self-sacrificing love.
“Hated” is from the Greek verb miseō, which refers to “an active hatred that is made evident in words and actions.”
Meaning Explained
Paul now quotes another Old Testament passage for his Roman Jewish Christian readers to consider. It is quoted from Malachi 1:2, 3
“I have loved you,” says the LORD. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the LORD.
“Yet Jacob I have loved; But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.”
Now, I can just hear some of you saying, “But that’s not fair! God is love, according to I John 4:8, 13, so how can He hate anyone?” Perhaps from our human perspective it does not appear fair, but we know that God is righteous, that is, He always does what is right. Therefore, if He says that he loved Jacob and hated Esau then we have to accept that it is righteous love and righteous hatred.
Let’s look at a couple of things the Bible says about God:
And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I, Jehovah your God, am holy.” (Leviticus 19:1,2)
God is a Holy God, that is, He is set-apart from all sin and sinfulness. He is pure and without sin! He always does that which brings glory to Himself. He is holy!
because I will proclaim the name of Jehovah, ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock; His work is perfect. For all His ways are just, a God of faithfulness, and without evil; just and upright is He. (Deuteronomy 32:3,4)
According to this verse, all of God’s ways are just; they satisfy perfect justice and they are absolutely right. He is without evil; He is just and upright.
God does not always tell us why He does things, but if we believe that He is a holy and just God and if He is without evil as these verses proclaim, then God’s choosing is without sin and it is right and just. He cannot do otherwise.
So … even though we don’t understand how or why He chooses some to righteousness and not others, we have to believe that His choosing is right, and just, and holy!
Application
Paul is very clear in his teaching that God had a love for Jacob that He did not have for Esau. And, he already made it clear that this distinction was made independent of the actions of either of them. God’s choice is always right and without sin. Who are we to argue with Him?
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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