Let’s be honest. Romans 9:13 rubs us the wrong way. (If you haven’t read it, now’s the time). Right up there with the Ananias and Sapphira tragedy or Judges 19. We have a hard time with a God who “hates.” But there it is in plain language for all to read. Perhaps there is more to the picture than meets the eye.

The story of Jacob and Esau is a familiar one to those who have a history in Sunday school and church. Jacob “bought” his brother Esau’s birthright for a bowl of “red stew,” (Genesis 25:30–33). This led to horrible enmity between the two, particularly on Esau’s part. We have the advantage of “the rest of the story” and we fast forward to today’s passage. 

“Jacob I loved.” Now Jacob was not the nicest guy either, but here in verse 13, Paul quotes from Malachi 1 to remind us of who God is. Agape love refers to God’s preferred will, which is always what the prophets proclaim. By God’s design, Jacob is the third patriarch, not Esau. Esau is “hated” or “detested.” But wait, what is really happening here is, again, God’s preferred choice. His “hatred” only means that he has renounced one choice, (the first born), in favor of another, (the second born). Esau was primarily interested in himself — Jacob would certainly come to understand the bigger picture, (think his son Joseph).

We are aware that even Jesus uses “hate” speech to remind us of where our priorities should lie. Right down to our own lives, Jesus says you can’t love the Lord less or the things of this life more. If you do, “[you] cannot be my disciple,” Luke 14:26. Even though Esau was born first, Jacob was God’s preferred choice, (agape love). This is how he loves us; his preferred will is always for our best.

“Hate what is evil, cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9).

David Van Huisen