Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Purpose Of Election - Romans 9:10-13

Romans 9:10-13 ESV 

And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

The word "hated" in this verse might be an unfortunate choice to translate the Greek word miseō. It can also mean less esteemed. Esau as the oldest would have received the blessing of Father, but the younger son received the blessing. This would foreshadow God's purpose of election which was planned from the beginning. It has nothing to do with the works of man, but the purpose of God. God calls that every man might answer and become beloved of God. 

The first Adam would lose his birthright as the first son of God and all the blessings would be given to the second Son of God, to Jesus Christ. We in turn have become His body on earth. 

This is what is meant by the saying the last shall be first and the first shall be last. 

We fulfill the plan of God as shown in the lives of Adam, Abel, Isaac, and Jacob. Israel was the first son, or people of God. We who follow Christ receive the blessings as the second son. The promises to Israel remain, but we are the children of promise. 

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