The Life of Jacob (2): The Doctrinal Significance of Jacob's Birth (Malachi 1:2-5; Romans 9:10-13) by Rev. Angus Stewart
I. According to Malachi 1
II. According to Romans 9
III. For His Life
Herman Hoeksema: “... the apostle emphatically states that the Word of God, which was the revelation of the purpose of God according to election, came to Rebekah before the children were born, neither had done good or evil [Rom. 9:11]. Had the Word of God come to Rebekah after the children had grown up and after it had become manifest that Esau was a wicked fornicator while Jacob was the true child of the covenant, she might have drawn the conclusion that God distinguished the brothers on the basis of their own works. But now the purpose of God according to election must stand. Hence, this purpose is revealed to her before the children were born, neither had distinguished themselves by their works, whether good or evil. From this it is evident that it was God’s purpose to show unto Rebekah that His counsel of election and reprobation with regard to Jacob and Esau was entirely independent of their works and rested solely in His own sovereign good pleasure” (quoted in Homer C. Hoeksema, Unfolding Covenant History, vol. 2, pp. 264-265).