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1/26 Reading Portions: Genesis 27; Matthew 26; Esther 3; Acts 26
Genesis 27:41
Now Esau hated Jacob...
HATRED
Today’s text should remind us of a New Testament passage which has given some people a little trouble:
“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Romans 9:13
The apostle was quoting Malachi 1:2-3. Jacob, as a man, was fallen, frail, and full of faults. He was a schemer who took advantage of his brother to buy his birthright. Jacob also deceived his blind father, Isaac, to receive Esau’s blessing. Nevertheless, in God’s wonderful providence, these historical incidents reflect the truth of the gospel. Esau, a man of the field (world), was a type of Adam, who sold his birthright for something to eat. Jacob, a plain (unblemished) man, was a type of Christ, who received the heavenly Father’s blessing when he wore kid skins (took on humanity to be sacrificed).
Esau hating Jacob reflects the truth of the unbelieving world hating the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The world hates Christ and rejects Him utterly. Esau hating the prophetic witness of Christ in Jacob is no different than any hatred projected toward Christ’s gospel. Any hatred toward Christ’s plans and purposes, His gospel, His church, etc., is hatred toward Christ Himself. Therefore, the hatred of unbelievers toward you and me is reflected in the truth of today’s verse. As Esau hated Jacob, so individuals in the unbelieving, God-hating, Christ-rejecting world, hate us. Jesus said,
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” John 15:18
We need not be surprised by this hatred from unbelieving worldlings. Moreover, we were haters just like them before the Lord Jesus saved us by His amazing grace, mercy, and love. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Esau hated his brother,
For Esau loved himself;
He’d worship self ‘nd no other
Shunning God and Christ’s true wealth.
