Election, Jacob and Esau.

1. Rom. 9: 1- 33

Some observations:

1-3. Paul wishes to be accursed for his brethren. (according to the flesh)

He wished that he himself would be cut off and his country-man would be saved.

4- 5 Here Paul describes what all had been given to them:

Who are Israelites;
Whose is the adoption,
And the glory,
And the covenants,
And the giving of the law,
And the service of God,
And the promises;
Whose are the fathers,
And of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever.

Here we see their priveliged status.

They had been given all, but taken none.

6- 9 The word of God and the true Israelites:

It is not that the word of God had no effect.
-Isaiah 48: 1- 10; 55: 10, 11
Not every Israelite is a true Israelite.
Only the children of the promise are the children of God.
Abraham had two children. Ismael and Isaac.
Only the children of Isaac where the children of promise
The only true promise was unto Sarah.

10- 13. Not only the promise unto Sarah. There was also a choice when it came to the two children of Rebekah:

And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac
For the children being not yet born,
Neither having done anything good or bad,
That the purpose of God according to election might stand,
Not of works, but of him that calleth,
It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.

14. The great climax and question:

Is there unrighteousness with God?
No

2. Election and sovereignty.

Gods election:

Election:

Thayer Definition:

1) the act of picking out, choosing

1a) of the act of God’s free will by which before the foundation of the world he decreed his blessings to certain persons

1b) the decree made from choice by which he determined to bless certain persons through Christ by grace alone

2) a thing or person chosen

2a) of persons: God’s elect

Deut. 4: 35, 39

Gods sovereignty:

The sovereignty of God I take to be the absolute authority, rule, and government of God in the whole of that reality that exists distinct from Himself in the realms of nature and of grace. It is a concept that respects His relation to other beings and to all other being and existence. It is, therefore, a relative concept, or a concept of relation. (John Murray)

1Co 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;

1Co 8:6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

To Nebuchadnezar it was said:

Daniel 2: 19- 22

Daniel 2: 36- 38

Daniel 2: 43- 45.

Psa 24:1 Een psalm van David. De aarde is des HEEREN, mitsgaders haar volheid, de wereld, en die daarin wonen.
Psa 24:2 Want Hij heeft ze gegrond op de zeeen, en heeft ze gevestigd op de rivieren.

v. 45 "the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter".
3. A little history:
Gen 25:19 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son. Abraham begat Isaac.

Gen 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife.

Gen 25:21 And Isaac entreated Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren. And Jehovah was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Gen 25:22 And the children struggled together within her. And she said, If it be so, wherefore do I live? And she went to inquire of Jehovah.

Gen 25:23 And Jehovah said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels. And the one people shall be stronger than the other people. And the elder shall serve the younger.

Gen 25:24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

Gen 25:25 And the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment. And they called his name Esau.

Gen 25:26 And after that came forth his brother, and his hand had hold on Esau's heel. And his name was called Jacob. And Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

Gen 25:27 And the boys grew. And Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field. And Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.

Gen 25:28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison. And Rebekah loved Jacob.

Some observations:

Isaac was 40 when he took Rebekah.

She was barren, so he entreated the Lord.

She conceived.

Some peculair observations:

The children struggled within her.

She asked the Lord.

Gods response:

Two nations are in your womb.

The older shall serve the younger.

2 Sam. 8: 14
Here we read how David put garrissons in Edom.
And they became servants to David.

How was Jacob loved and Esau hated?

Mal. 1: 2- 4

Mal 1:1 The burden of the word of Jehovah to Israel by Malachi.

Mal 1:2 I have loved you, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother, saith Jehovah: yet I loved Jacob;

Mal 1:3 but Esau I hated, and made his mountains a desolation, and gavehis heritage to the jackals of the wilderness.

Mal 1:4 Whereas Edom saith, We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places; thus saith Jehovah of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and men shall call them The border of wickedness, and The people against whom Jehovah hath indignation for ever.

Mal 1:5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, Jehovah be magnified beyond the border of Israel.

Prophesy given against Edom:

Ez. 35

Deut. 32: 7- 14
This whole concept is further elaborated on:

Rom. 9: 15- 22 Gods power to choose.
God had already said to Moses.

Ex. 33: 19

It was seen with Pharaoh:

Ex. 9: 16

What does all of this mean:

Is there no condition?

Ex. 20: 5, 6

Isaiah 55: 7

See for contrast:

Luke 14: 26

Pharaoh:

The same sun that melts the wax, hardens the clay.

Read the story of Pharaoh and you will see that it is also said about him that he hardened his heart.

Psalm 95.

Paul himself writes about the universality of the gospel.

Rom. 1: 16, 17

Rom. 2: 6- 8

Rom. 3: 21- 23

Why could they not be saved?

Rom. 9: 30- 33

Potter and clay?

Jer. 18

2 Tim. 2: 21

2Ti 2:20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor.

2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work.

2Ti 2:22 after righteousness, faith, love, pace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.