"Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

So far in this study of Romans 9 Paul has clarified that that eternal promises of God to Israel have not been revoked, nor has God reneged in any way.  The reason is that the promises were not made to Israel according to the flesh, but rather that part of the nation that was chosen by God according to election. The remnant, in other words. This election is not based upon foreseen actions, deeds or faith but simply by God's purpose.  And then we read this summarizing sentence as Paul wraps up the illustration of Jacob and Esau:

“As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”” (Romans 9:13, ESV)

"The citation of Mal. 1:2–3 also shows that God set his saving love on Jacob and rejected (hated) Esau."^[1] Malachi 1:2–3 (ESV) reads this way: ² “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob ³ but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.”

When Israel was under the rule of the Persians, God raised up the prophet Malachi. The Temple is being rebuilt in Jerusalem but the people are apathetic and misdirected. "^[2] The book of Malachi focuses on the restoration of the covenantal relationship between God and His people."  Malachi uses such metaphors as marriage and divorce to describe the relationship between God and this nation. He speaks of a coming judgment but also promises survival by some through the advent of a Messiah.

In this first chapter of Malachi, God affirms His love for Israel and apparently the nation questioned God's affection by asking how.  This is a natural question in relation to the present conflict and the conquest and captivity of the nation.  God affirms His sovereign choice of Israel by comparing His treatment of Jacob's brother, Esau.  " God’s love for Jacob was shown in His choice and preservation of Jacob/Israel, and his hate for Esau is shown by Edom’s desolation." ^[3]  In demonstration of His hatred for Edom, God cites the fact that He " laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert."  Although Edom (Esau's people) say they will rebuild, God says, "They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.’"^[4]

Israel's fortunes are much better.  Now Paul uses this text to show that God will be faithful to the promises He made and His faithfulness is based upon His sovereign election.  " God’s love for Jacob was shown in His choice and preservation of Jacob/Israel, and his hate for Esau is shown by Edom’s desolation."^[5]   " In this context loved refers to choice rather than affection, and hated refers to rejection rather than animosity." ^[6]  So in context we could paraphrase Romans 9:13 this way, "Jacob have I chosen, Esau have I rejected."  " The love and hate spoken of here are not related to the emotions; they are related to the will. God, by the act of His sovereign will, chose Israel, rather than Esau."^[7]

Now back to Romans 9: Both Jacob and Esau are legally offspring of the child of promise, Isaac. Yet Jacob the younger is served by Esau the elder.  This event occurred in keeping with God's elective purposes; and His election is based not upon emotion, but simply because He chose to.

Jesus once told a potential disciple that he must "hate" his father and mother if he would follow Him (Luke 14:26).  Obviously Christ was not advocating the emotion of hate.  In this biblical hyperbole Jesus is saying that the love a disciple has for Christ ought to be so great in comparison to human relations that a disciple ought to outright reject one for a choice of the other.  Paul is simply saying that "God has chosen Jacob to fulfill His elective purpose, but He has rejected Esau. The divine rationale for this action is simply the elective purpose of God in Israel.^[8]  At the same time, we must not minimize the weight of these words.  Malachi 1:1–5 shows us the rejection of Esau also is accompanied by God's judgment against Esau and his descendants.  And just as there are positive judgments implied in the rejection, there are positive blessings implied in God's choice of Israel.

At this juncture, the Apostle will now seek to answer the obvious objections.

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Previous Blogs on this topic:

1	The Truth. The Whole Truth. And Nothing But The Truth	Romans 9:1-2
2	How They Have Fallen!	Romans 9:3-5
3	Proceeding From or Belong To. The Difference is Life and Death.	Romans 9:6–9
4	It's Not Who You Are or What You've Done.	Romans 9:6–13
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^[1] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2173). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[2] Rob O’Lynn. (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015). Malachi, Book of. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

^[3] Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 1846). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Mal 1:4). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

^[5] Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 1846). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[6] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1774). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[7] Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 1846). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[8] Criswell, W. A., Patterson, P., Clendenen, E. R., Akin, D. L., Chamberlin, M., Patterson, D. K., & Pogue, J. (Eds.). (1991). Believer’s Study Bible (electronic ed., Ro 9:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.