Friday, 31 October 2025

Romans part 120 - One in Messiah 9

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Romans 9:12-13 it was said to her (Rebekah) , "The older shall serve the younger. As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

How wonderful to have the opportunity to "unpack" this very misunderstood verse. In English, the word "hate" is understood as "extreme rejection, hostility, or passionate dislike." In Greek, (this is the only place in Scripture where this word appears) it means to "love or esteem less."

Rabbi Trail: There is an interesting parallel thought in Hebrew. There is no Hebrew word for "like" as in "a mild form of love." There is only love. You can love something or someone less, but there is no such thing as settling for just "like." Love is "the gold standard." End RT.

So it is with Jacob and Esau. Although Esau is the firstborn and by virtue of that, deserving of the birthright blessing, that blessing falls on Jacob, according to the will of God. Notice that Jacob gets the intangible blessing, but nothing more. He has to flee from his inheritance. There is no evidence that Jacob ever received his inheritance from Isaac. Also, when he returns (about 20 years later), on that last night (before he is restored to his brother) he is also left with nothing once again.

Genesis 32:25 So Jacob remained all by himself. Then a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.

And Who was that Man? He never gave His name to Jacob, but we know it is Yeshua. Genesis 32:31 So Jacob named the place Peniel, "for I've seen God face to face, and my life has been spared."

In the context of Paul writing to the Romans, he is explaining being chosen. I would argue the concept of free will is also present. We must choose to be chosen. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. For those who know the Lord, God has called you, but you must answer His call.

These labels "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession" were given to Israel (Deuteronomy 14:2). Non-Jewish people are grafted into those promises as full recipients and participants of being chosen. Jacob was elected before he was born, and so were you. Answer God's call with a "yes" in your heart, lay aside every sin and fulfill the command originally given to our father, Abraham.

Genesis 17:1 When Abram was 99 years old, Adonai appeared to Abram, and He said to him, "I am El Shaddai. Continually walk before Me and you will be blameless.

What follows is Abraham's name change ... Genesis 17:5 No longer will your name be Abram, but your name will be Abraham, because I make you the father of a multitude of nations. Eitan Shishkoff wrote a book titled "What About Us?" That question is answered in Scripture ...

Galatians 3:29 And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham's seed - heirs according to the promise.

You have been called as one of the elect of God. Answer His call, "Hineni, here I am, and I'm ready to serve You." Shalom shalom.