God’s Gracious Election of Israel

Now it is not as though the word of God has failed,(A) because not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.(B) Neither is it the case that all of Abraham’s children are his descendants.[a](C) On the contrary, your offspring will be traced[b] through Isaac.[c](D) That is, it is not the children by physical descent[d] who are God’s children,(E) but the children of the promise(F) are considered to be the offspring. For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.[e](G) 10 And not only that,(H) but Rebekah conceived children(I) through one man, our father Isaac. 11 For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand(J) 12 not from works but from the one who calls—she was told, The older will serve the younger.[f](K) 13 As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.[g](L)

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Footnotes

  1. 9:7 Lit seed
  2. 9:7 Lit called
  3. 9:7 Gn 21:12
  4. 9:8 Lit children of the flesh
  5. 9:9 Gn 18:10,14
  6. 9:12 Gn 25:23
  7. 9:13 Mal 1:2–3

Israel and God’s choice

But it’s not as though God’s word has failed. Not all who are descended from Israel are part of Israel. Not all of Abraham’s children are called Abraham’s descendants, but instead your descendants will be named through Isaac.[a] That means it isn’t the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children from the promise who are counted as descendants. The words in the promise were: A year from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son.[b]

10 Not only that, but also Rebecca conceived children with one man, our ancestor Isaac. 11 When they hadn’t been born yet and when they hadn’t yet done anything good or bad, it was shown that God’s purpose would continue because it was based on his choice. 12 It wasn’t because of what was done but because of God’s call. This was said to her: The older child will be a slave to the younger one.[c] 13 As it is written, I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.[d]

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