So what is the situation with Israel? Paul looks at the whole situation in a little more depth. First, God's word has not failed. Now this is something we all need to take account of, but especially those who would say that Israel as a nation no longer has a part if God's plans. The Old Testament is stuffed full of promises concerning Israel, and it is quite difficult to ignore them! However, Paul does say that not all Israel is Israel. He is here echoing the words of Jesus when he says that not all the physical descendants are children of Abraham. This might seem to give succour to those who say Israel no longer really matters, but we would do well to read the rest of these three chapters before jumping to that conclusion.
Paul then goes back to the importance of Isaac (Gen 21:12), stressing the importance of faith as the criterion for inclusion, as indeed he has been doing throughout Romans. It is all based on promise. In Galatians chapter 4 Paul talks a lot more about the two children that Abraham had, Isaac and Ishmael. So physical descent is not enough.
Next Paul talks about Jacob and Esau. They were twins and Esau was born first, yet it was Jacob who gained the inheritance. As it says elsewhere "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" (Mal 1:2,3). Now this causes us some difficulties, particularly about God "hating". First, this probably refers primarily to the two nations that sprang from these two men. Now Jesus talked about hating our mothers and brothers. He clearly did not mean hate in the normal sense of the word, but only in comparison to our love for Him. Accordingly, many take this to mean "love less". However, Calvin and others take in a stronger form, of to reject. God chose Jacob, but did not chose Esau.
However, we need to keep in mind here that the key point Paul is making is that it is all down to God's choice, and nothing man does overrides that choice.
Paul then goes back to the importance of Isaac (Gen 21:12), stressing the importance of faith as the criterion for inclusion, as indeed he has been doing throughout Romans. It is all based on promise. In Galatians chapter 4 Paul talks a lot more about the two children that Abraham had, Isaac and Ishmael. So physical descent is not enough.
Next Paul talks about Jacob and Esau. They were twins and Esau was born first, yet it was Jacob who gained the inheritance. As it says elsewhere "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" (Mal 1:2,3). Now this causes us some difficulties, particularly about God "hating". First, this probably refers primarily to the two nations that sprang from these two men. Now Jesus talked about hating our mothers and brothers. He clearly did not mean hate in the normal sense of the word, but only in comparison to our love for Him. Accordingly, many take this to mean "love less". However, Calvin and others take in a stronger form, of to reject. God chose Jacob, but did not chose Esau.
However, we need to keep in mind here that the key point Paul is making is that it is all down to God's choice, and nothing man does overrides that choice.
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