Calvinism Implies God
Is Partial

Unfortunately, God’s dealings with Jacob and Esau are often used to bolster the claims of Calvinism, the idea that God elects certain people for salvation and sends everyone else to hell. Admittedly, God made three very interesting statements relative to these two men that on the surface seem to support a Calvinistic view.

This post, however, is written in an effort to rethink Jacob and Esau and offer a different perspective. It isn’t a final answer on God’s sovereignty but is a different interpretation on these two fellows and God’s relationship to them.

It is my contention that the names “Jacob” and “Esau” were used, in most cases, as references to nations not individuals. In other words, the name of the person, Jacob, is used to represent his posterity, Israel.

And this isn’t just my opinion. Interchanging related words in this manner is a well accepted rhetorical device – otherwise known as metonymy – which is often used in the Bible. Most references to “Jacob” and “Esau” are references to their descendants and that is particularly true in Romans 9.

Figures of speech aside, however, you don’t have to be grammatically astute to recognize that any direct statement to or about “Jacob,” after the death of the man, in every case is a reference to his descendants.

[do_widget id=media_image-4]

Most references fall into that category. The conversation with/about Jacob and Esau lasted almost two millennia. Obviously, most of what God had to say was said after they were dead.

What that means is God’s choice of and discussions about Jacob or Esau was national. It was focused on the larger picture. He was choosing a community, a nation to work with. He was selecting Jacob’s posterity not just Jacob and this choice had nothing to do with personal, individual salvation.

Now, with that understanding in mind let’s note some facts and make some general observations about the Romans 9 passage.

God made the following critical statements:

• The elder (Esau) will serve the younger (Jacob). Genesis 25:23 and Romans 9:12
• I have loved Jacob but Esau have I hated. Malachi 1:2-3 and Romans 9:13
• I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Exodus 33:19 and Romans 9:15

Although all three statements were repeated in Romans 9 they were originally recorded in the Old Testament and were separated by hundreds of years.

• The conception of Jacob and Esau, 1800 BC (+/-). Genesis 25
• The Exodus, 1400 BC (+/-). Exodus 33
• The Book of Malachi, 400 BC (+/-). Malachi 1.

Paul added some explanatory remarks to these statements which seem to further endorse Calvinistic ideas:

• Paul said God’s choice of Jacob over Esau was based on His elective purpose.
• He pointed out that this choice was made before the boys were born and, therefore, before they had done anything good or evil.
• He said the choice was based on mercy and not human desire or effort – not of him that willeth or runneth.

Everyone admits these statements were made in the context of Romans 9. Not everyone accepts the Calvinistic interpretation imposed on them. I offer the following arguments as the basis for a different opinion. [Read more…] about Sovereign Choice: Jacob And Esau