Before these two were born, God promised greater blessings to Jacob than Esau (Gen. 25:23). Romans 9 goes on to say, “As it is written, ‘Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated’” (Rom. 9:13). But what does that mean? Did God predetermine a curse against Esau? No, that second quote comes from the very last book of the Old Testament (Mal. 1:2–3), 1400 years after Esau and Jacob. This is deeply significant. Yes, God chose Jacob for blessing. But did God reject Esau? Did God force him to sell his birthright for a morsel of food? No, that responsibility falls on Esau (Gen. 25:34; Heb. 12:16). In fact, God had never even mentioned the birthright. Esau’s selfish choices merely became the means God used to bring His intended blessings to Jacob.

Later, Esau’s descendants became the nation of Edom and constantly antagonized Israel. Did God force Edom to do this? No, God had desired peace, telling Israel, “You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother” (Dt. 23:7). However, Edom’s hostility led to violent attacks against Israel and obscene joy at Jerusalem’s destruction (Ps. 137:7; Obad. 1:10–14). God had said Edom would be less powerful than Israel, but He did not force them to provoke His chosen people. However, He would not ignore their wickedness, either; thus, extensive passages in Amos, Obadiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel describe God’s promised judgment against them.

The intent of the Romans 9 passage is to magnify God’s sovereign choice in showing mercy, just as He sovereignly chose Jacob for blessing. “It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy” (Rom. 9:16). What a glory to know this merciful God! Yet no reader will find any verse which says that God sovereignly imposes a curse. That is not the way the Scriptures present this truth.