Good Questions: Do We Have a Choice?Sýnishorn

Does God Hate?

Have you ever encountered a Bible verse that leaves you with more questions than answers? Well, Romans 9:13 might just be one of those verses. “As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.” Those words can be unsettling. But before we conclude about God's character, let's take a closer look at what this passage is saying.

First, we need to understand that this section of Romans 9–11 is primarily about the election of Israel as a nation, not about individual elections. It’s important to remember that because we tend to personalize everything and miss the bigger picture. We have to make sure that we are asking the text of the Bible the right questions and seeing what the Bible is revealing about itself. The story of Jacob and Esau symbolizes two nations, and God had chosen Israel to be His people. So, when Paul quotes Malachi 1:2–3, it's not about God hating Esau as an individual, but about a prioritization of love.

We see this prioritization in Luke 14:26 when Jesus says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers, and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” It’s not about literally hating your family members, but about putting God first, above all else. It’s about the willingness to forsake all for the cause of Christ.

So, what can we learn from this passage? It’s a reminder that God’s ways are higher than ours, and we may not always understand His reasoning. But we can trust that God is faithful and His Word remains true. We can also reflect on our priorities and ask ourselves if we’re putting God first.

Are you willing to prioritize your love for God above everything else, even if it means making difficult choices? Do you see following God as more desirable and more satisfactory than family, friends, and the things of this world? Loving something or someone so much that everything else, compared to that love, seems like hate. God can place this love in your heart today. Ask Him for it.