BT23: Using Romans 9:13 as a text ("Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated"), a well-known Bible teacher proceeded to do an analysis of these two brothers to show why God hated one and loved the other. Is this a valid use of this text? Why, or why not?

In this verse, the Greek word "agapao" was used for love, and this word means to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, or to love dearly. The Greek word "miseo" was used for hate, and this word means to hate, to pursue with hatred, or to detest.

In Romans, Chapter Nine, the Apostle Paul was writing about his deep sorrow about the lost people of Israel. Romans 9:3-4a says, "For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel." But in Romans 9:6, he said, "It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel."

Paul's statement about not all descendants of Israel being Israel seems contradictory, but it is not. His first use of the word "Israel" refers to the name given to the patriarch Jacob, to the family or descendants of Israel, or to the race of Israel. His second use of the word "Israel" refers to Christians or the Israel of God, for not all those who draw their bodily descent from Israel are true Israelites. Galatians 6:16 says, "Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God."

Verse Six of Romans, Chapter Nine, is key to understanding Romans 9:13. When Paul wrote about Jacob and Esau, he was writing about spiritual Jacob and spiritual Esau. He was writing about those that receive Christ as their Savior, whom He loves dearly, and about those that reject Christ. God did not hate Esau, the individual, and He does not hate any person. However, He does draw close to those that draw close to Him, and He does turn away from those that turn away from Him. James 4:8a says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Concerning those that reject God, He has no choice but to turn away because He must honor a person's right to choose.