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To: irishtenor

But you might enquire further as to the meaning of the verse.

Rom 9:13 - As it is written: “I loved Jacob but hated Esau.”

The literal rendering, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated,” suggests an attitude of divine hostility that is not implied in Paul’s statement. In Semitic usage “hate” means to love less; cf Luke 14:26 with Matthew 10:37. Israel’s unbelief reflects the mystery of the divine election that is always operative within it. Mere natural descent from Abraham does not ensure the full possession of the divine gifts; it is God’s sovereign prerogative to bestow this fullness upon, or to withhold it from, whomsoever he wishes; cf Matthew 3:9; John 8:39. The choice of Jacob over Esau is a case in point.

So, God prefers Jacob over Esau and has a greater place for him in His Divine scheme. Not hate.

And Love: I’d suggest that you Google up some dissertations on Love. You may find that Love is an action. It is a conscious act. It is not a passive emotion. Overall, it means that God consciously loves all of His Creation with His will. Not just cherry picked portions of it.


5,976 posted on 09/11/2007 9:11:27 PM PDT by MarkBsnr (V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae. R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.)
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To: MarkBsnr

Please do not post to me again.


5,977 posted on 09/11/2007 9:15:41 PM PDT by irishtenor (There is no "I" in team, but there are two in IDIOT.)
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