Add parallel Print Page Options

10 This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she gave birth to twins.[a] 11 But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes; 12 he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.”[b] 13 In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.”[c]

14 Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not!

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 9:10 Greek she conceived children through this one man.
  2. 9:12 Gen 25:23.
  3. 9:13 Mal 1:2-3.

10 And not only that, but this too: Rebekah conceived twin sons by one man [under the same circumstances], by our father Isaac; 11 and though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything either good or bad, so that God’s purpose [His choice, His election] would stand, not because of works [done by either child], but because of [the plan of] Him who calls them, 12 it was said to her, “The [a]older (Esau) will serve the [b]younger (Jacob).”(A) 13 As it is written and forever remains written, “[c]Jacob I loved (chose, protected, blessed), but [d]Esau I hated (held in disregard compared to Jacob).”(B)

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? Certainly not!

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:12 The descendants of Esau, the Edomites.
  2. Romans 9:12 The descendants of Jacob (Israel), the Israelites.
  3. Romans 9:13 The Israelites received God’s protection and blessing.
  4. Romans 9:13 The Edomites were left to God’s judgment.