Study Desk

It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."

Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."

In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.

In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.

For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."

For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."

Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac.

Not only that, but Rebekah's children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.

Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand:

Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand:

not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger."

not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger."

Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."