Election according to the foreknowledge of God

Abraham eventually dies and is burred, of course,  but we take up the story through Isaac. It turns out that Rebekah was barren as Sarah had been. Rebekah was barren for 19 years, and Isaac pleaded with the Lord.  Rebekah conceives twins,  and they struggle together in the womb.  Inquiring of the Lord why this was happening He replies “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger” Genesis 25:19-23).. “The first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so they called him Jacob” (verses 25, 26). 'Esau' means 'hairy,' or 'made,'  'Jacob' means 'supplants,' or  'undermines' or 'heel.' Jacob is also known as the deceiver. Isaac was 60 when the twins were born.

It was traditional for the eldest son to have the lions share of the inheritance, and he would inherit the land. If that does not seem fair,  consider the alternative, if the land were divided equally, then over the generations each would inherit something the size of a postage stamp. At least this way it remained in the family.  As with Isaac and Ishmael, the Lord sovereignly reverses the birth order.  Without using the word, it introduces the concept and the mystery of election. That is that the believer is chosen by God for salvation (1 Peter 2:4). This first mention of election is taken up in multiple places, and an exposition of it highlights one of the major underlying unities of the whole Bible.

For example Paul points out that the words “the elder shall serve the younger,” were  spoken  before the children were born, so that they had not yet done either good or evil.  This, says Paul is so that the purpose of God according to election might stand, that salvation is not of works but of Him who calls (Romans 9:11, 12).  Indeed “it is by grace that we are saved, it is the gift of God, not of works lease anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).  On the other hand Jesus told us that “Many are called (invited) but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). By this we understand firstly that “whosever will may come” (Revelation 22:17), but secondly not all will come, not all will heed thc call, not all will respond to the invitation.

Peter talks about election according to the foreknowledge of God (1 Peter 1:2a). God knows  who will respond to His call, His invitation. To the objection that there is no such thing as a free lunch we need to understand we are not saved by good works, we cannot earn salvation. We are however saved unto good works that God prepared before hand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). The Peter reference continues elect “in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience....” (verse 2b).  

Father these things caused Paul to cry out “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments,  and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counsellor?” He adds “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:33-36). To this Lord I can only add my “Amen” and thank You for Your Mercy in Jesus Name Amen