Morning Bible Study: Romans 9:6-13

6  Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God's people! 

7  Being descendants of Abraham doesn't make them truly Abraham's children. For the Scriptures say, "Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted," though Abraham had other children, too. 

8  This means that Abraham's physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham's children. 

9  For God had promised, "I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." 

10  This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she gave birth to twins. 

11  But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes; 

12  he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, "Your older son will serve your younger son." 

13  In the words of the Scriptures, "I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau."  NLT

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christianity.com)

"Commentary on Romans 9:6-13

The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation, did not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and threatenings shall be fulfilled. Grace does not run in the blood; nor are saving benefits always found with outward church privileges. Not only some of Abraham's seed were chosen, and others not, but God therein wrought according to the counsel of his own will. God foresaw both Esau and Jacob as born in sin, by nature children of wrath even as others. If left to themselves they would have continued in sin through life; but for wise and holy reasons, not made known to us, he purposed to change Jacob's heart, and to leave Esau to his perverseness. This instance of Esau and Jacob throws light upon the Divine conduct to the fallen race of man. The whole Scripture shows the difference between the professed Christian and the real believer. Outward privileges are bestowed on many who are not the children of God. There is, however, full encouragement to diligent use of the means of grace which God has appointed."

Genesis 21:12 But God told Abraham, “Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted."

Genesis 25:23 And the Lord told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.”

Malachi 1:2-3 “I have always loved you,” says the Lord.

But you retort, “Really? How have you loved us?”

And the Lord replies, “This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob, but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country. I turned Esau’s inheritance into a desert for jackals.”