The Case of Jacob and Esau

Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.8 • 603 Ratings

🗓️ 22 December 2025

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Romans 9:10-13 — Although everyone is under God's sovereign control, His special purpose and promises are only for His children, those who are born of the Spirit. As Paul argues this case in Romans 9:10–13, he gives examples in the Old Testament including that of Isaac and Ishmael. Because Paul understands that there may be some arguments or disputes against this example, he then goes on to give the example of Esau and Jacob. In this sermon on Romans 9:10–13 titled “God’s Purpose Made Sure,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out that Paul always refutes any arguments with facts first, and later provides doctrine to prove his point. The example of Esau and Jacob proves that God intervened in their situation because Rebecca was barren. Before the twins were even born, God said that he would choose Jacob to fulfill his promise and not Esau. This shows that the Lord draws distinctions among people, proving the doctrine of election. God did this because it was part of his holy plan. God’s purpose is always worked out by means of election. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that God’s plan is never based on works and it is all through those whom he calls. Therefore, only those who are born of the Spirit are truly part of God’s plan.

Transcript

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0:00.0	We come this evening in our study of the ninth chapter of the epistle to the Romans,
0:05.3	to the words that are to be found in verses 10 to 13,
0:09.7	verses 10 to 13 in the ninth chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans.
0:15.8	And not only this,
0:17.9	that when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac, for the children
0:25.1	being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God,
0:30.8	according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, it was said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger,
0:41.0	as it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
0:48.7	Now, we are here, of course, continuing this great argument that the apostle is developing at this point,
0:56.6	and it's important that we should bear in our minds what he is setting out to do.
1:03.1	The argument, of course, is over this whole matter of the position of the Jews,
1:09.8	regarded as a nation with respect to the gospel of our Lord and Savior
1:15.1	Jesus Christ.
1:17.0	But indeed, even that is not the main object.
1:20.8	The main object is this, that that state and condition of the Jews seems to disprove what the apostle had been arguing
1:32.1	and stating so eloquently in the eighth chapter from verse 28 to the end of the chapter.
1:40.3	So that we keep it in that perspective.
1:43.6	The fundamental statement is that all things work together for good to them that love God,
1:49.0	to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1:53.0	And we've seen how we worked that out.
1:55.0	But now here is the case of the Jews which seems to contradict that,
2:00.0	because that they were God's people, is perfectly
	...

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