Does God Hate Anyone?

PRAY OVER THIS

As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Romans 9:13

 

PONDER THIS

In Luke 14:26, Jesus was talking about those who would follow Him, and He said this, “‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.’” Do you think that Jesus was teaching us to despise our fathers and mothers, our brothers and sisters? Do you think that Jesus was telling us to despise our little children in order to be His disciples? No! Listen. I love my wife more than I could ever love her naturally because I love Jesus. I love my wife with a love I could not love her with if I did not love Jesus. The word hate, as it is used in the Bible, simply means preference. God had a preference—a sovereign choice—for this man Jacob, and He did not have a preference for Esau.

How does today’s devotion help you understand this difficult-to-understand verse?

How does the image of a husband’s love for his wife compared with his love for others help you understand God’s preference toward His people?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time today to reflect on the truth that God has a sovereign preference and affection for you, greater than even a husband or wife has for a spouse.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers