Kay

“Both of Isaac’s children have the same mother and indeed both are conceived at the same time, yet God in his sovereign mercy, chose Jacob and not Esau. Paul then quotes various Old Testament references showing his point from the scriptures- the older will serve the younger, Jacob I loved, Esau I hated.”

Mark,
Let’s take a closer look at that.
“And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Rom. 9:9-13

Notice that Paul quotes two Old Testament passages, which he believed to support his point (“for the children … it was said to her, … as it is written”). Therefore, we should be able to look at these two passages in their *context*. By reading them, as Paul would have read hundreds of times, maybe you can better understand my point.

“But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her:”Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.” Gen. 25:22-23

Rebecca was carrying two individuals, yes. But, God foresaw two people groups, and He clearly tells Rebecca. It is from this vantage point that God foretells her that the “the older shall serve the younger”. In other words, the nation that descended from the older brother would serve the nation that descended from the younger brother.

What part of “the older will serve the younger” has to do with eternal salvation?

As individuals, did Esau (older) serve Jacob (younger), or did Jacob serve Esau?

Wasn’t it Jacob who was terrified of Esau? (Gen.32)
Wasn’t it Jacob who bowed down 7 times before Esau? (Gen. 33)

In their lifetimes, Jacob came far closer to serving Esau, than Esau ever came to serving Jacob. So, if this prophecy referred to the individuals, it failed! And since God’s prophecies cannot fail, this prophecy of the younger’s supremacy must not be referring to individuals!

Esau’s people, the Edomites, tormented the Israelites during their journey to Canaan (Num. 20:14-21). It was only after over one thousand years, when Babylon and Greece attacked Edom, that we see a significant distinction. Israel survives as a remnant, but the Edomites were virtually wiped out.

“Even though Edom has said, “We have been impoverished, But we will return and build the desolate places,” Thus says the LORD of hosts: “They may build, but I will throw down; They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, And the people against whom the LORD will have indignation forever. (Malachi 1)

The Edomites, descendents of Esau, were a “people against whom” God’s wrath and indignation moved. They were “hated”, *because* they were *wicked*. This “hatred” is not absolute, but relative. The word, “hatred”, is only raised in contrast with God’s “love” for the people of Jacob. Remember that the Edomites were blessed with land and nation as well. Also, compare to Jesus’ usage of “hatred” toward family relative to the required “love” for Him, Luke 14:26. In this quoted context of Malachi 1, the ultimate distinction between Esau and Jacob was that God spared a *remnant* from Jacob’s seed, through whom came the Messiah, but Esau’s seed were destroyed because they became wicked. This context shows applicability to the role of the *nations* or people groups, not the *salvation* of the two original brothers.

So, where in all this did God’s election of Jacob over Esau pertain to an election of *individuals* unto *salvation*?
And again, what part of “the older will serve the younger” has to do with eternal salvation?