"Esau Have I Hated"

Romans 9:13

In Romans 9:13 the apostle Paul quotes that which God spoke to his people by the prophet Malachi (Mal. 1: 1-2). Jacob represents all God's elect. Esau represents the non-elect sons of Adam. Paul tells us plainly that God loved Jacob and hated Esau from eternity, without any consideration of their works. His purpose is to show us that the purpose of God according to election stands not upon the footing of human works, but upon the footing of his sovereign grace alone (Rom. 9:11).

The amazing, wonderful thing in Romans 9:13 is God's statement, "Jacob have I loved!" God owed nothing to Jacob.Jacob had no claim upon God.God knew what kind of person Jacob would be, a sinful wretch! Yet, God loved Jacob, all his Jacobs, with an everlasting, free, sovereign love. That love is God's eternal benevolence, "his everlasting will, purpose, and determination to deliver, bless, and save his people" (Toplady). Wonder of wonders, that God should love such wretches as he knew we would be and determine to save us!

However, it is the statement, "Esau have I hated," that causes most people trouble in understanding the text. Perhaps the trouble arises from a failure to understand the meaning of the word "hated" as it is used in this text. It does not imply a positive hatred, which involves contempt,anger,and wrath. That cannot be the meaning of the word here, because God's anger and wrath against men is always a judicial response to man's sin. And Paul plainly tells us that Esau's works were not under consideration when God said, "Esau have I hated." The hatred here spoken of is a "negative hatred, which is God's will not to give eternal life to some persons...a neglect of them, taking no notice of them, passing them by when he chose others. So the word `hate' is used for neglect, taking no notice" (Gill).

This is the way our Lord used the word "hate" in Luke 14:26. We are not commanded to treat our families or ourselves with contempt, anger, and wrath. But we must, as we seek to follow Christ, give no consideration to our earthly relationships. We must pass them by and choose Christ. That is what the word "hated" means in Romans 9:13. God passed by Esau, giving him no consideration. His only consideration was for Jacob, his elect. God loved Jacob. God considered Jacob. God chose Jacob. Let Jacob rejoice!

Don Fortner