Redeemed and Rewritten - Part IX
Scripture:
“Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Romans 9:13 (NIV)
Observation:
Romans, chapter nine, can be difficult to process at first. One particular verse “Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated,’” can lead us to question how a loving God could say He loves one brother and hates the other. But if we take a deeper look in context, Paul is really emphasizing, with the use of strong language, the sovereignty and faithfulness of God—a trustworthy God, not a man who should lie (Numbers 23:19) and not a God who practices favoritism.
In the Hebrew, the term “love” means to be devoted to, to bless, to enter into a covenant relationship with, whereas “hate” means to set aside or pass over, to reject any plan that would go against the covenant promise. Similar language is used in the book of Malachi, where God uses Jacob and Esau to represent the nations of Israel and Edom. This isn’t about God preferring one son over the other; instead it is an emphasis on His choice covenant with a nation in which God’s redemptive plan would unfold, ultimately leading us to Jesus!
In this same chapter, Paul uses Pharaoh as another example of God working through human beings to accomplish His purpose. Jesus Himself, uses the same connotation of the word hate when He says no one can be His disciple unless they “hate” their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life (Luke 14:26). Jesus was not suggesting hostility or animosity. Instead, He was highlighting the importance of cultivating a life completely devoted to Him.
Application:
God is sovereign. Even when we may not understand His ways, He is never unfair or unjust. He is the faithful potter who sees the finished work of His clay, while we see only a small part of the process. On Sunday, Pastor talked about riding the “wave of emotion.” Life often brings circumstances we do not understand: loss, disappointment, delay, confusion, chaos and hardship all have the ability to stir up overwhelming waves of emotion. Sometimes, those emotions settle in us like a thick smog, making it difficult to see God’s goodness and faithfulness. But it is often in the hard things when an incredible opportunity is presented to us. We can choose to lean into God and embrace that we are mere vessels for His glory or we can choose to succumb to our fleeting emotions that lead us down a path of destruction. We may not understand everything the Lord is doing, but we can choose trust in the One who is all knowing and all able. God’s sovereignty is not meant to make us fearful; on the contrary, it is meant to make us feel safe. When the waves come, trust Him. When the path is unclear, trust Him. When emotions cloud your vision, trust Him. He loves us and is faithful to guide our lives.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that Your ways are higher than my ways and Your purposes are greater than I can see. When the things of this world don’t make sense, and emotions rise like waves around me, help me to trust in Your faithfulness. Remind me that Your hands are always working for both, Your glory and my good. Guard my heart from fear, doubt, and discouragement. When the smog of emotion comes, help me to see You clearly and rest in Your sovereignty. Teach me to lean more on You and Your character, knowing that You are always faithful to Your covenant promises. May you have all the glory, In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.