God's Love and Hate
Romans 9 : Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she [Rebekah] was told, “The older will serve the younger.” [ d ] Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” [ e ] What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” [ f ] It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. The above passage is, obviously, a part of a much longer passage, and that context is relevant to its meaning. But, I am going to ignore all that for now. I think that everything I say here is compatible with the rest of the passage, but if it is not, I expect you to attempt to show me that it is not. So, without further ado...