Now, today we're looking at Romans, Romans chapter 9. And I'm taking the title for the message from what is said in verse 13. Verse 13 of Romans 9. Well, let's begin at verse 11 and we'll read down through verse 13. The title of the message from verse 13, Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated.

But we'll go back to verse 11, for the children being not yet born. We know about Rebecca being conceived, conceiving twins in her womb, and there was a struggle and there was a wrestling. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, called out of darkness and his marvelous light. It was said to her, That is Rebecca, the mama, the mama, Jacob and Esau. The elder shall serve the younger. You remember Esau was first born and Jacob came out grabbing a hold of Esau's heel and the boys were born.

Said to her, the elder shall serve the younger. And then in Malachi chapter one, verse two, it is written, Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Absolutely not. Everything he does is absolute right. Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?

This verse, along with many other scriptures, teaches us so plainly about the absolute sovereign love of God revealed and made known unto his people. He hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them unto babes, even so, father, for so it seems good in his sight. Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in the Lord Jesus Christ. God is love, that is so, but not at the expense of his holy justice being satisfied. Therefore, the Lord our God loves those for whom Christ died. The love of God is in Christ. He died for those sinners chosen in that eternal covenant of grace that is ordered at all things and is sure. His love toward his people is eternal love. He loved his own with an everlasting love. It certainly is sovereign love. Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated.

It's sovereign mercy, he said, to Moses concerning salvation that he will have mercy on whom he will. And sovereign grace, he'll be gracious to whom he will be gracious. In these few verses in this chapter, the apostle quotes from the Old Testament at least 12 times I counted. And all in this chapter, it sets before us the glorious and grand truth. of God's electing love, God's sovereign grace, sovereign mercy. We're given in this chapter at least four, maybe five examples of the Lord's sovereign will in the salvation of his people. We're given at least four examples and maybe five counting what is said in verse 24 down to verse 29 about God showing mercy to some Gentiles.

But the Lord's sovereign love and mercy is displayed in this chapter like no other. Abraham was called out of idolatry, and the rest of Abraham's father, the rest of Abraham's family, rather, died in their idolatry, as far as we know, with maybe the exception of Lot. And then we have the promise of Isaac. Isaac, the promised seed, was blessed Ishmael, that was the firstborn of Abraham, was left to his own desires. So we see a difference between Abraham and his family, between Isaac and Ishmael, between Jacob and Esau, we see God made a difference. And then the fourth example is given of Moses and Pharaoh. Moses was God's chosen vessel of mercy, Pharaoh was that vessel of wrath fitted to destruction. So we see vessels of mercy, as it says in verse 22 and verse 23, what have God willing to make, to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering, the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction, that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.

God chose a people unto salvation from all eternity, and He will cross their path, He will call them with the gospel, and He will do so out of sovereign love. Out of sovereign love. You can't make too much, too much of sovereign love.

The Jewish people thought that being the natural-born son, the physical sons of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, that it guaranteed their salvation. They said to the Lord Jesus Christ in John chapter 8, they said, Abraham is our father. We are not in spiritual bondage. Abraham is our father. You remember what the Lord said to them? You are of your father the devil. We be the children of God. No, you're the children of the devil. Your father is the devil. The lust of your father will you do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he bowed not in the truth, because there's no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it.

So there the Lord plainly said, just because you're a son of Abraham doesn't mean you're a believer and one of God's elect. The Apostle Paul here declares that not all the natural sons of Abraham are true spiritual Israel. Look at verse 5 and 6. Who are the fathers of whom concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God bless forever, not as though the word of God had taken on effect. Now watch this statement carefully. For they are not all Israel, which are Israel. Being a natural descendant of Jewish heritage, Jewish tradition, does not make you a son of God.

But now here's the question. Here's the question. Not as though the word of God had taken on effect, for they're not all Israel, which are Israel. Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children, but in Isaac, that special son, Isaac. shall God's people be called. Now here's the question, does a wholesale rejection of Jesus Christ the Messiah by the Jews, and that's what happened, he came unto his own, his own receiving not, does that make the promise of God without effect? Does that mean that the word of God given to Abraham was not fulfilled? God forbid. God forbid.

God's elect does not consist of a physical seed of Abraham, but rather a spiritual seed. God has a people out of every tribe, kindred, nation, and tongue under heaven that sing that song of sovereign love redeemed by the blood of Christ. The true sons of God are made up of a nation born in sin who were called out of spiritual darkness, redeemed by the blood of Christ, regenerated, and made new creatures in Christ Jesus.

You know, every believer is a Jew. Did you know that? I'm a Jew. Did you know that? You didn't know that. You knew that, didn't you? Let's see if we can find that. Romans chapter 2. Every believer is in that covenant of grace. And circumcision is that not outwardly, but in the heart. Romans chapter 2. Did I tell you there? Verse 28. For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly, Neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew. He is a true son of God, which is one inwardly. And that circumcision is of the heart. God's operated on our heart, in the spirit, not in the letter, not in the law, whose praise is not of men but of God. Every believer's been operated on, circumcised in the heart, made a new creature in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul described the true Israel of God in Philippians chapter 3. He said, we are the true Israel, Philippians 3, 3. We are the true Israel, which worship God in the spirit, that rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we have no confidence, no confidence in the flesh.

Verse 7 of Romans 9 neither because they are the seed of Abraham are They all children, but in Isaac shall thy seed be called that is they which are the children of the flesh These are not The children of God all those Jews run around over there They've been in rebellion for thousands and thousands of years Read their history right here it is You know what it's a history of? Rebellion and idolatry. That's all you read of. Rebellion and idolatry.

And God has forsaken those people as a nation. And he's calling out a people out of every kindred, tribe, nation, and tongue under heaven. That is, they which are the children of the flesh. These are not the children of God, but the children of the promise. They're counted for the seed. God promised Abraham that he would bless a multitude of sinners in Christ. In Isaac, through that seed, God blessed forever the Lord Jesus Christ. In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Now you bookmark Romans 9, hold that place there, and you must turn and read this with me. I would encourage you to do so. Galatians chapter 3. Galatians chapter 3, verse 6. Galatians 3, verse 6. Even as Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness, Know ye therefore that they which are the children of faith, the same are the children of Abraham, children of faith.

For the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Now in the same chapter, Galatians 3, look at verse 13. The blessing, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on the tree. Christ endured the wrath of the law, the wrath of God, bearing our sin in his own body on the tree.

That, verse 14, the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men, though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no one can disannul or add thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and the seeds is of many, but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ.

And this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed before God in Christ the law, It was 430 years after that it cannot disannul that it should make the promise of non-effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it's no more a promise, but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Abraham was justified 430 years before the law was given. Same chapter, Galatians chapter 3. Verse 26, for you're all children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.

Now, he's writing to the Gentile churches in Galatia, Gentiles. He said, wherefore, the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by Christ, but after that, justified by faith in Christ. that faith has come, we're no longer under the schoolmaster. Verse 26, for you're all children of God by faith in Christ. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There's neither Jew nor Greek, there's neither bond nor free, there's neither male nor female, if you're all one in Christ. And if you be Christ, then are you Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. Believers are the true sons of God.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called sons of God. Now are we sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is beloved. Now are we the sons of God. True sons of Abraham.

Abraham believed God and was counted to him for righteousness. Now let's read on back to Romans 9. And here's the record, that the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Now that promise is God's oath, his covenant that cannot be disannulled, it cannot be changed, the eternal covenant of grace. And this is the word of promise.

At this time, God said, I will come and Rebekah shall have a son, excuse me, and Sarah shall have a son. This is the promise. At this time, I will come and Sarah shall have a son. Abraham's wife, 90 years old and barren, God said, you're going to have that special son. And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father, Isaac. The promise of God, the promise of God.

God promised Abraham that his barren 90-year-old wife, Sarah, shall have a son by a miracle, by the power of God. Now she conceived naturally, but Abraham was 100 years old. She was 90 years old. She only conceived by the power of God. I will come and Sarah shall have a son, Genesis 18.10. I will be their God and they shall be my people, Genesis 32.38.

Even though Abraham had an elder son, an older son, by the name of Ishmael, remember God told Abraham he'd have that special son, and then they waited, and they waited, and they waited, and he was about 90 years old, he said, Doesn't look like it's going to happen. Hagar, my handmaid, go in unto her, and you can concede by her, and then we'll fulfill the promise of God." Well, that's a picture of salvation by works.

He did go in unto Hagar, and they did have a son by the name of Ishmael. The son of the bondwoman shall not be the heir with the son of the free woman, that is Isaac, that is Christ. God never promised to bless a people in Ishmael, but rather in Isaac. Ishmael in his birth represents, Ishmael in that birth through Hagar represents an attempt of salvation by the deeds of the flesh. Isaac is the miracle birth by the power of God which represents salvation by the grace of God.

All religion can be summed up in two. All religion can be summed up in two. Ishmael, Isaac, Cain, Able, works of grace. Turn one page. Romans 11. Elijah complained to God. He said, I'm the only one left. Romans 11, verse 3. He said, Lord, they've killed thy prophets. They dig down thine altars. I'm the only one left and they seek my life. But what sayeth the answer of God unto him? God said, I've reserved to myself 7,000 men which have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

Even so, at this present time, there's a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it's no more of works. Otherwise, grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it's no more of grace. If by grace, then it's no more works. Otherwise, grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it's no more grace. Otherwise, work is no more work. In other words, it's either all works, it's either all grace, it's not a mixture of the two. There's a remnant according to the election of grace, grace.

Verse 10, Romans 9, and not only this, not only is that true, But when Rebecca also conceived by one, that is Isaac, even by our father Isaac, with the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God, according to election, might stand, not of works, it's not of works, but of him that calleth.

The Apostle Paul brings another strong argument to declare unto us that salvation is altogether the sovereign grace of God. Isaac and Rebekah had those two twin boys conceived in the same womb, at the same time, by the same father, born at the same time. God had mercy on one and passed by the other. Is that his right to do so? Absolutely. Absolutely it is true that, look what it says, that the purpose of God, the purpose of God according to election might stand.

I brought a message a few weeks ago about the purpose of God. Every sinner God saves, he saves on purpose. His purpose and grace that's given us in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world. Here we learn the important lesson that election is unconditional. The sinner meets no condition in order to be elected unto salvation. It's not of works, but of him that calleth.

Jacob was chosen in love by God before he was conceived in the womb. God wrote his name in that eternal land book of life before he was born, before he was conceived, before he had done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to electing grace might stand. There is a remnant according to the election of grace.

God has blessed us with all spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ. according as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be, what? That we should be, according as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy without blame before him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians chapter one. This is all according to the purpose of God. Jacob was chosen, Esau was passed by. Would Jacob one wit better than Esau? No, sir. They were both born in sin, shape, and iniquity, but God had mercy on one and passed by the other according to his own sovereign will and pleasure.

Verse 12, it said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger, God said that 700 years before they were born. As it is written, Malachi chapter 1, Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated. And all this was done according as it was written, written. The elder, Esau, shall serve the younger. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. This is according to God's eternal purpose.

Verse 13, it is written, all scriptures given of God, Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated. Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated. Those who have right understanding of God's holy character can understand, those who have understanding of the holy character of God, can understand how God could righteously hate both Jacob and Esau.

God hates all the workers of Manipotene. Both were sinners, as we are, as all men are, but God sovereignly chose to set his love, his affection on Jacob, and pass by his brother Esau. God loved Jacob in Christ, God's love for Jacob was an eternal love. God saved Jacob in the Lord Jesus Christ. God blessed and redeemed Jacob through the blood atonement of Jesus Christ. The only reason that Jacob had a saving interest and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ is that God gave him faith. God made him a new creature in Christ.

Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated. That's according to the righteous will and purpose of God.

What shall we say to these things? Verse 13. Verse 14. What shall we say to these things? Is there unrighteousness with God? Absolutely not. You remember back in Romans 8, turn back over there. Romans chapter 8, verse 29. says, for whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, Romans 8, 30, then he also called, and whom he called, then he also justified, and whom he justified, he also glorified.

What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall anything to the charge of God elect? It is God that justify. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

What shall we say to these things? If God before us, in that eternal covenant of grace, tell me who can stand against us? No one. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in our Lord Jesus Christ. Sovereign grace, plainly, plainly declared.

What shall we say to these things? Verse 14, is there unrighteousness with God? Can God act contrary to His character? Absolutely not. Absolutely not. It's the Lord, let him do what seemeth good in his sight. Shall not the judge of all the earth do right? Believers take the word of God, receive it as such, they don't dispute it, and stand in opposition to it, but rather they bow to the absolute authority of God. When it says that God will love whom He will, we say Amen. We say amen, so be it, so be it.

Now there's two other examples given here in verse 15 and 16 and verse 17 and 18, one of Moses and one of Pharaoh, one of Moses and one of Pharaoh. And I'll be brief here. When he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. The Lord showed Moses in that mount when Moses cried out, Lord show me your glory. He said, I'll be merciful to whom I will be merciful. That's from Exodus chapter 33. He said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then, it's not of him that willeth. Salvation is not by the will of man, nor of him that runneth. Salvation is not by works. But of God that showeth mercy, for the scripture saith unto Pharaoh.

" Now who made the difference between Moses and Pharaoh? Moses, remember when he was just an infant, was cast out into the Nile River? And guess who? It was his lucky day. It just happened, you know, that the sister of Pharaoh went down there and saw that little basket floating and took it and raised that child up. I'm being facetious. It's all by God's eternal purpose and grace. But Moses grew up in the house of Pharaoh. Till one day God revealed the gospel to him, and then he had to leave town. He had to leave town. Pharaoh remained set, hardened against God. When Moses came back and said, let my people go, he said, no way, Jose. It ain't gonna happen. And God sent him plague after plague after plague, 10 plagues. Finally, the death of the firstborn. And Pharaoh said, you take your people and get out of here.

But who made the difference between Moses and Pharaoh? Naturally speaking, there was no difference. Both born in sin, both shaped in iniquity, both raised up as sinners. But God had mercy on Moses and he left Pharaoh. hardened in his sin. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose, God raised him up for the purpose of showing his power, that my name might be declared in all the earth.

Therefore, have the mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will, he will harden. That's what we call sovereign mercy. Sovereign grace. Salvation by the grace of God alone. Always, always. Salvation by the will of God. Salvation by the work of Christ. Salvation of the Lord. And we see that in this chapter, don't we? Prime example of sovereign mercy and sovereign grace. Sovereign mercy and sovereign grace.

In conclusion, he said in verse 18, he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy. Now what do you say to that? What if God was pleased to save you and pass by the rest of your family? That's my experience. That's what happened in my family. God sovereignly chose me. in that eternal covenant of grace and left my family to perish in their sin.

Is he unjust? Oh, no. They're getting exactly what they deserve. The way you just see it is death. That's what I deserve. But God had mercy on me, not because of anything he foresaw in me. Election is unconditional. He chose us in Christ according to his sovereign will, his sovereign purpose, to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.