This is a quote from a verse which was spoken after…
This is a quote from a verse which was spoken after Jacob and Esau had lived - not before. In fact, in its original context, it was a prophetic statement about the distinct nations that descended from Jacob and Esau, not a direct statement about the future of the individuals Jacob and Esau. Paul's purpose is to illustrate that it had always been God's intention and choice to revolve His plans not around the basis of descendancy, ethnicity, and works - but around another basis of His choosing. (And as Paul had explained in Romans 1-8, that other basis is the basis of grace through faithin Jesus Christ.)
Created about 1 year ago
