This section covers Romans 9:1-13. First, watch the video below!

Here are some additional thoughts that may help answer some questions that you may have after watching the video.

In verses 6 – 13, we talked about how Paul is using an allegory. He is using the story of how the nation of Israel was chosen in order to make a point about how the Israel of God– the true children of God– are chosen according to a promise.

Why interpret this section as an allegory?

If the section of verses 6-13 is an allegory intended to communicate that the Israel of God — true children of God– are established according to a promise, it is essential that we accurately understand the promise by which the Israel of God is established. There is not one verse that tells us this or defines who the children of the promise are, rather it is a concept that Paul develops in several of his letters.  We discussed Romans 4 in the video, but Paul also extensively addresses it in Galatians 3.

What does Galatians 3 tell us about who the children of the promise are?

In verse 13, it says God loved Jacob and Hated Esau.  We discussed how this reference to Malachi is meant to depict how God’s words to Rebekah (that the nation from her older son would serve and be weaker than the nation from younger one) were fulfilled. Israel (the nation of her younger son) did become the stronger nation.  But still, the word “hate” can seem extreme and unfair. 

Here are some more thoughts on the use of this language.

Continue with Romans 9 | Part 2