What does the Bible say about God's love for Jacob and Esau?

The statement 'Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated' from Romans 9:13 is often debated, especially by those who propose that God loves everyone equally. However, this passage emphasizes God's sovereign choice in election and His divine purposes. It shows that God's love is particular and intentional, not universal and indiscriminate. The assertion is not that God loves one less than the other, but that His electing love for Jacob is a demonstration of His sovereign grace.

Furthermore, understanding this distinction is crucial for Christians as it reassures us of the unchanging nature of God’s love. As affirmed in John 17:23, God's love is perfect and does not waver, unlike human affections. His declaration in Malachi 3:6 reminds us of His immutability; He does not change. This secured love for the elect provides profound comfort and assurance, emphasizing that God's love, being sovereign and unconditional, secures the eternal standing of believers in Christ without the variability of human effort or merit.