| Geneva Study Bible {9} It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (9) He proves the casting away of Esau in that he was made servant to his brother: and proves the choosing of Jacob in that he was made lord of his brother, although his brother was the first begotten. And in order that no man might take what God had said, and refer it to external things, the apostle shows out of Malachi, who is a good interpreter of Moses, that the servitude of Esau was joined with the hatred of God, and the lordship of Jacob with the love of God. People's New Testament 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. It was said to Rebecca, Two nations are in thy womb,... one people shall be stronger than the other, and the elder (people) shall serve the younger (Ge 25:23). Esau never served Jacob, but the Edomites, descended from Jacob, served the Israelites (2Sa 8:14 1Ch 18:13). The election here is that of a race. Wesley's Notes 9:12 The elder - Esau. Shall serve the younger - Not in person, for he never did; but in his posterity. Accordingly the Edomites were often brought into subjection by the Israelites. Gen 25:23. King James Translators' Notes elder: or, greater younger: or, lesser Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 9:6-13 The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation, did not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and threatenings shall be fulfilled. Grace does not run in the blood; nor are saving benefits always found with outward church privileges. Not only some of Abraham's seed were chosen, and others not, but God therein wrought according to the counsel of his own will. God foresaw both Esau and Jacob as born in sin, by nature children of wrath even as others. If left to themselves they would have continued in sin through life; but for wise and holy reasons, not made known to us, he purposed to change Jacob's heart, and to leave Esau to his perverseness. This instance of Esau and Jacob throws light upon the Divine conduct to the fallen race of man. The whole Scripture shows the difference between the professed Christian and the real believer. Outward privileges are bestowed on many who are not the children of God. There is, however, full encouragement to diligent use of the means of grace which God has appointed. | 
