Israel Doubts God’s Love

² “I have loved^(A) you,” says the Lord.

“But you ask,^(B) ‘How have you loved us?’

“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob,^(C)

³ The Lord appeared to us in the past,^[a] saying:

¹⁵ Yet the Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved^(A) them, and he chose you,^(B) their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today.^(C)

²⁸ As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies^(A) for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,^{(B) 29} for God’s gifts and his call^(C) are irrevocable.^(D)

¹⁰ Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.^{(A) 11} Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad^(B)—in order that God’s purpose^(C) in election might stand: ¹² not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”^{[a](D) 13} Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”^[b](E)

Israel Speaks Arrogantly Against God

¹³ “You have spoken arrogantly^(A) against me,” says the Lord.

“Yet you ask,^(B) ‘What have we said against you?’

¹⁴ “You have said, ‘It is futile^(C) to serve^(D) God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements^(E) and going about like mourners^(F) before the Lord Almighty?

⁶ For you are a people holy^(A) to the Lord your God.^(B) The Lord your God has chosen^(C) you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.^(D)

⁷ The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous^(E) than other peoples, for you were the fewest^(F) of all peoples.^{(G) 8} But it was because the Lord loved^(H) you and kept the oath he swore^(I) to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand^(J) and redeemed^(K) you from the land of slavery,^(L) from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.