Now, it’s time to go back to the lessons in Genesis. God chose the lineage with Abraham then to Isaac over Ishmael. Now, it’s time to examine the two twin brothers namely Jacob and Esau. The story of both Jacob and his older twin brother Esau would also help explain the doctrine of unconditional election.
Genesis 25:23 says the following:
And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” (ESV)
It was already determined that Esau would be below Jacob. God already planned Jacob’s birthright. Though it became a problem when Jacob took what God already planned for him before its due. It’s like trying to get your money back from the investors or the bank before the agreed time of return–such a move is a breach of agreement.
Romans 9:6-13 says the following in regards to Jacob and Esau:
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 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— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (ESV)
The KJV states it as follows just in case we’ve got some KJV Only non-Calvinists here:
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. 10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Jacob had not done anything yet but he was chosen over Esau. Esau was going to be the father of the Edomites who are also descended from the Hittites the lineage of Ham through Canaan. Esau also married a daughter of Ishmael. Today, the Arab nations are descendants of both Ishmael and Esau. Jacob would be the father of Israel today. Fortunately, God had provided that chance for salvation even for the rejected line of Ishmael and Esau.
What would be very interesting is that of the treatment of God in regards to Jacob and Esau. We see Esau was a carnal man. Esau despised his birthright which he freely gave to Jacob for some lentil soup. Esau was a carnal man. Jacob was a liar and a thief. Yet, the more we read the chapters, we see that God spent a lot of time chastising Jacob. It sounds unfair but we see one thing–God never disciplines the children of the Devil but lets their own sins pile up until it destroys them. God allows the wicked to prosper. Esau had much wealth. Jacob had to suffer the results of his actions such as when Laban enslaved him for 14 years, when Jacob saw the pre-incarnate Christ (Genesis 32:22–32) and was chastised, and we see Jacob himself was frequently subjected to God’s loving discipline.
I think one proof Jacob was a backsliding believer was Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:10-22. Jacob was one who could recognize the LORD’s hand. Jacob was clearly not in God’s will. We can see that Jacob beguiled Esau twice. Jacob decided to take the blessing that God promised him before its due time. Jacob means deceiver. Yet, today, Jacob is now considered a good name while Judas (which means praise) is so reviled because it’s so associated with the apostate Judas Iscariot that Jude (which also is another form of Judas or Judah) is more preferred. Jacob was so chastised that he was soon limped and broken. Esau was allowed to prosper in the worldly sense. Jacob had to be afflicted before he could prosper. Jacob had two work 14 years to get Rachel as Laban (his uncle and father-in-law) cheated him. Jacob ended up having 4 wives in total–a violation of God’s traditional plan for marriage. It was pretty much God giving Jacob the taste of his own medicine to teach him honesty. It sounds unfair but election is about mercy and not justice. It was pretty much God’s mercy and not justice at work that Jacob was chastised that heavily. That chastisement made Jacob a better person later on.
The very nature of unconditional election is based on this passage:
Romans 9:14-18
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion,but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills. (ESV)
In short, God hardened Esau but showed mercy to Jacob. The difference in the outlook of Esau and Jacob depends on God’s mercy. God allows sinners to harden their hearts by their own free will. Meanwhile, God softens the hearts of certain sinners and makes them willing to follow His commandments.
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