Rom 9:10-13 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rom 9:10-11: 9:10-11 she gave birth to twins: No human circumstances differentiated Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau. Not only were they born to the same mother, but they were also conceived at the same time. Instead, Paul argues, the difference between them was of God’s choosing.

a9:10-11►

cGen 25:23►

eMal 1:2-3►

fGen 32:28►

‏ Romans 9:10-13

Summary for Rom 9:10-11: 9:10-11 ^a she gave birth to twins: No human circumstances differentiated Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau. Not only were they born to the same mother, but they were also conceived at the same time. Instead, Paul argues, the difference between them was of God’s choosing.
9:12 ^b “Your older son will serve your younger son”: God spoke these words to Rebekah before the twins were born (Gen 25:23 ^c). As the older of the twins, Esau was Isaac’s natural heir. But Esau sold his birthright to Jacob and ceded his position to his brother in fulfillment of God’s promise.
9:13 ^d “I loved Jacob, but I rejected (literally hated) Esau”: Paul quotes Mal 1:2-3 ^e, where Jacob, whose other name is Israel (Gen 32:28 ^f), stands for the nation of Israel, and Esau stands for Edom. Here, Paul is referring to them as individuals. Just as love can sometimes express a choice, so hate can express rejection. The story of Jacob and Esau illustrates how the sovereign God chooses his own people.