Jacob, Esau, and the Hardening of Pharoah

I felt it very important that we include an article about one of the most difficult sections in the book of Romans which deals with God's purposes for nations and human history. We will primarily be looking at Romans chapters 9 through 11. This secton of Romans deals with past, present, and future plans for the nation of Israel. Many have taken isolated passages and have used them as an argument for the theology known as Calvinism. The basic theme being that God predestines certain individuals for salvation, while choosing others to be condemned, without giving them any choice or responsibility. I hope that after this article, you will see that Romans 9 through 11 is not a prooftext for Calvinism, but rather a magnificent example of God's sovereign grace towards all mankind. After an honest and careful study, I believe you will see that the issue is not the eternal destination of individuals being predetermined in these verses, but rather the election of peoples and nations so that God's purposes in human history will be fulfilled perfectly. Interestingly enough, you will find that even though God uses election to accomplish His purposes, you will see that even though certain groups or peoples are elected, it is still up to the individual person as to how he/she will respond to God's call. Let's get right into the scriptures and look at some of these difficult passages.

Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel :(KJV)

It is here that we can see some of the main thrust of Paul's argument. No doubt there was much confusion over the fact that the Gentile church was increasing and abounding, and yet the Jewish segment of Christianity (i.e. Messianic Jews) seemed to be diminishing. It would be easy for the casual observer to look at this situation and adopt the mentality that somehow God has forsaken Israel. (Many today espouse this theory and it is commonly known as replacement theology.) So what will follow in the subsequent verses in chapters is a brilliant scriptural exegesis by Paul which will indeed show that God's purposes have not failed, and that His word is still valid-even though many of that national Jews were not accepting the gospel of Christ.

Paul then goes on to describe the history of Israel with the analogy of two famous brothers; Isaac and Ishmael. We must be careful to note at this point that God was not issuing eternal damnation for Ishmael, and eternal salvation for Isaac, but rather He illustrates how he used both nations to accomplish His purposes. The descendants of Ishmael and Isaac are in view here and their subsequent history- not their eternal fate. So far so good, but then we come to the illustration of Jacob and Esau

Rom 9:10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (KJV)

Here is where we find the first great chasm between Calvinists and the rest of Christendom. Paul was making the argument that we cannot determine or define "Israel" on the basis of ancestry/geneology. Remember earlier he used the example of Isaac and Ishmael (Romans 9:7-9) who were half brothers, but then he goes a step further and uses the example of Jacob and Esau, who not only were full-blooded brothers, they were twins! God shows how He chose the lineage of Jacob to continue the line of promise solely on the basis of His sovereign will. It had nothing to do with the good works of Jacob, but God's purpose via election. This phrase "Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated" deserves considerable attention. First, let's remember that this is not a quote from the Genesis account, but rather a quote from the prophet Malachi.

Malachi 1:2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.(KJV)

Looking at this in context, we can clearly see that God is not speaking of the eternal destiny of Esau and Jacob, but rather the deeds of their descendants. We must remember the context of Paul's remarks. He is making the case (rather well I might add) that no one can make a claim to election on the basis of ancestry. Jacob and Esau are representative of the Israelites and the Edomites. In Genesis chapter 25 we read that God identifies these men as two nations.

Genesis Gen 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

The passage in Malachi also refers to the Edomites and Israel. It is important to note that even though God chose Jacob, He did not refuse to be gracious to the descendants of Esau. In fact we find in Deuteronomy that the Israelites were forbidden to make war against them at one point.

Deuteronomy 2:4 And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: 5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. 6 Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink.

Next we come to the issue of Pharoah and the hardening of his heart. After the incident of the golden calf and the rebellion of the children of Israel, we have the quote of Exodus 33:19 where God puts His mercy front and center as the reason for election. Let's take a look at this passage.

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

This whole discourse will climax with the understanding that God uses election so that He might have mercy upon all. (Romans 11:32.....but we're not there yet). Rather than reading a Calvinistic view that God is arbitrarily creating some people for destruction into the text, what we should see is that the overall theme is one of mercy! Now looking at the above passage we see how God used Pharaoh in salvation history. God raised him up so that His power would be shown in the earth and throughout the ages. The magicians of Egypt witnessed the power of God, we even read that some Egyptians left along with Israel (Ex.12:38). Later on in I Samuel (4:8) we see how the Phillistines were afraid of God's power because of the plagues on the Egyptians. We will see later on that even Israel has suffered a similar hardening process, but it is only temporary because we know that the time will come when "all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26).

Many will point to Pharoah as evidence that God predestines some to be saved and others to be condemned. It must not be forgotten however that in Exodus it was Pharoah who first hardened his own heart

Exodus 7:13 Yet Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had said.

He then did this time and time again.

Exodus 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.

Exodus 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Exodus 9:7 And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

After this repeated hardening of his own heart, God gets involved in the hardening process.

Exodus 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses

We must be careful to note here that even in this hardening process, we do not see God determining the final/eternal destiny of Pharoah, but rather we see God using Pharoah's own desires to further His purpose of delivering the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. I think it would be good for us to remember the path of destruction in Romans chapter one. We see a progression of events that happen because the Lord allowed evil men to choose to reject Him. Notice the phrasing we see here :

Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves

Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient

Here we can clearly see that because evil men choose light rather than darkness, God will honor their request because man is a free moral agent. We can clearly see that God did not do these things to the people, He allowed them to choose their own destiny!

We then come to the issue of "vessels of mercy" and "vessels of wrath".

Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory

Again some will see God creating some individuals to be condemned, meanwhile choosing others to be saved. I'm going to go to the orginal languages in order to clarify the meaning of these passages. The vessels of wrath "fitted to destruction" is seen by some to mean "created for damnation." But we should contrast what happens to them with the "vessels of mercy." It should be noted that only the vessels of mercy are "prepared in advance" (the greek word used is "proetoimazo" )

From Strong's Concordance: (#4282)

proetoimazo-"to prepare before, to make ready beforehand"

(note: see also our article on election and predestination Election and Predesination)

Now the "vessels of wrath" are described as being "fitted to destruction." Let's look at the definition used here where the word is translated as "fitted."

katartizo- "to mend, to repair, to complete, equip, put in order, restore, arrange, adjust"

This word is also used in other places in the New Testament " (I Cor 1:10, II Cor 13:11, Gal 6:1, I Thess 3:10)

From the usage of this word and how it is defined in other places, it would erroneous for us to interpret this word "katartizo" (or in the KJV "fitted" for destruction) to mean that God has determined beforehand that some should be condemned. The usage of this verb shows that God is merely responding to the will of these individuals who have chosen darkness rather than light (just as we saw in Romans 1 where "God gave them over" to their own heart's lusts). They are being "fitted for destruction" in the sense that they are choosing their own path by continued disobedience and rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Again in the last part of Romans 8:23 we see the purpose is that God's saving power and saving mercy would be known throughout the earth

Final thoughts

This is by no means an exhaustive study on predestination and election or of God's purposes for humanity. It would be beyond the scope of this article to try to tackle every possible aspect of this discussion. But to briefly summarize, we can safely say that Romans chapters 9 thru 11 discuss Israel's past, their present, and their future. Where some try to interpret a theology of individual predestination in these passages, a more honest look at the text shows that God's mercy is the ultimate theme. Though Israel had failed to carry the gospel to all the world, and the Gentile church was expanding greatly, Paul (through the Holy Spirit) shows that God's plan for salvation has not failed, and that even at this present time there are some believing Jews (Romans 10), and that there is a future glorious redemption for Israel where multitudes will come to faith in Jesus Christ! (Romans 11).

God shows that He is free to do as He chooses with the nations to use them for His eternal purposes. Rather than closing the door, He opened up the door to salvation for the Gentiles. And lest the Gentiles should be conceited, they must realize that God is able to graft in the Jews again (and He will) and that we must not be highminded but fear because our election (as Gentiles) is based upon a living faith or belief in Christ. If we do not continue or abide in Him, we may face a similar fate.

Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

In conclusion, God is able to do whatsoever He wills and He is sovereign. But we must be careful when reading difficult passages not to leap to illogical conclusions. God certainly could have chosen to exclude everyone from salvation if He had desired, for truly none of us are worthy. But rather than choosing some and condemning others, He has chosen in His infinite wisdom and grace to have mercy on all. The concluding theme should be about the great mercies of God- not some arbitrary assignment! I'll leave you with a fitting verse :

Romans 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

God bless you as you study His word.

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