Jacob have I loved (Romans 9:13)“As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Romans 9:13

Hard words to accept about a God who “is Love.”  How can He hate?  How can it be that He loved one brother and hated another?

“[Was] not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau,” Mal 1:2-3a

Is this really the God we want to serve?  Is this really a God Who would give His only Son for us?

Something must be wrong with the way we think about Him?... or maybe, just maybe something is wrong with our perception of love and hate.

The opposite of love is not hate.  Not in the sense that we know and use it.  They are both completely active.  The opposite of an active thing must be an inactive thing.  Therefore, the opposite of love (fully active) is indifference (in active).

So we must redefine our understanding of “hate” in these verses, not our understanding of God… Who is Love.

God endorsed Jacob.  He still does.  He is behind it all, giving support, provision, protection.  He stands behind His people.  He backs them up.

Think of it as the “God Housekeeping Seal of Approval.”  When God stands behind it you know you can trust it.

Just as the Father loved the Son… endorsing what the Son (our Lord Jesus) said with the demonstration of power, so the Father loves or endorses those who preach the truth… backing it up with the demonstration of His power with signs and wonders, miracles and “who-da-thunks.”

Who-da-thunk He could still do that?

God approved of Jacob, just as He had approved of Abel.  And not Cain.

Still, while He did not endorse or approve of Cain, He still protected Him.

To hate then is to not endorse or approve of, to not support or stand behind.

Hate is a decision.

 It is a decision to hold back love since, as God’s people, with His Spirit in us, a Spirit which IS love, … love should naturally flow from us.  His love should come out of us.

Jesus endorses this idea.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:43-44 (bold mine)

Don’t hold back…

Jesus didn’t hold back on you… but gave all He had, in complete obedience to the Father, and took the cross.

Let the love of Jesus flow from you.

SDG