Romans Chapter 9 Vs. 12

 

God's Sovereign Choice

It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. Rom 9:12

The elder shall... The 33rd prophecy in Genesis (Gen. 25:23, fulfilled). Next, Gen. 26:2. It concerned the struggle between Jacob and Esau and was partially fulfilled in their descendants many times. It will be completely fulfilled in the Millennium and the New Earth when Israel under their Messiah will be the head of all nations (Isa. 2:2-4; 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-18; Zec. 14:1-21; Zeph. 3:14-17; Rev. 11:13).

Two nations

Origin of Races

This passage, with Gen. 9:24-27; 17:20; 19:33-38; 25:1-6; Acts 17:26 and other scriptures, explains how different races came into being since the flood. When the first of each type was brought into existence isn’t stated and can’t be known. Such facts are among the secrets of God referred to in Deut. 29:29. If two nations were born on this occasion, then the same could have happened at other times. Hence, there remains no mystery as to where the other races came from. The only part not known is when and by whom. This much is sure, the various races came into being since the flood, for only one race was saved in the ark (Gen. 6:18).

Two manner of people, The Edomites and Israelites have been two different peoples in manners, customs, and religion from the very beginning. The Edomites were idolaters (2Ch. 25:20), and their history was one of wars with Jews (Exo. 15:15; Num. 20:14-21; 1Sam. 14:47; 2Sam. 8:14; 1Ki. 11:15; 2Ki. 8:20-22; 14:7, 14:10; Eze. 25:12-14). Edom is the subject of many Old Testament prophecies (Exo. 15:15; Num. 24:18; Psm. 60:8-10; Isa. 11:14; 63:1; Jer. 9:26; 25:21; 27:3; 49:7-22; Eze. 25:12-14; 32:29; Dan. 11:41; Joel 3:19; Amos 1:6-11; 2:1; 9:12; Oba. 1:1-10; Mal. 1:4).

Stronger than the other people, The family of Esau (or Edom) seemed to be stronger at first than Jacob’s (or Israel’s), for they had dukes and kings long before Israel did (Gen. 36:1-43) and they were powerful enough to resist Israel’s passage through their land when coming out of Egypt (Num. 20:1-29). Later, David completely defeated them and made them subject to Israel for about 150 years (2Sam. 8:14). After the Babylonian captivity, the Maccabees compelled them to leave their country or embrace the Jewish religion. From then on they were ruled by Israel. In the Millennium they will again be under Israel (Psm. 60:8-10; Isa. 11:14; 63:1; Amos 9:12).

If we look back into Genesis we find this about Esau and Jacob as this was told to Rebecca.

Gen. 25:23 “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations [are] in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and [the one] people shall be stronger than [the other] people; and the elder shall serve the younger.”

We see in this that Ishmael (son of the flesh) served Isaac (son of the spirit). We also see in this, that Esau (the oldest son), served Jacob (the younger son). Since we are looking at the spiritual side of these lessons, we can not overlook the fact that the law was given first to the physical house of Israel, and that grace was given to the Church (Christians). Grace is better than the law.

Rebecca was informed, The older will serve the younger (cf. Gen. 25:23), a divine choice confirmed by God’s declaration, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated (cf. Mal. 1:2-3). Esau, the older, did not actually serve Jacob, his younger twin; but Esau’s descendants, the Edomites, did (cf. 1Sam. 14:47; 2Sam. 8:14; 1Ki. 11:15-16; 22:47; 2Ki. 14:7).