Romans 3:1-2; Romans 9:1-15

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? What is the value of being circumcised?

2 Much in every way! In the first place, the Jews were entrusted with the very words of God.

1 I am speaking the truth - as one who belongs to the Messiah, I do not lie; and also bearing witness is my conscience, governed by the Ruach HaKodesh:

2 my grief is so great, the pain in my heart so constant,

3 that I could wish myself actually under God's curse and separated from the Messiah, if it would help my brothers, my own flesh and blood,

4 the people of Isra'el! They were made God's children, the Sh'khinah has been with them, the covenants are theirs, likewise the giving of the Torah, the Temple service and the promises;

5 the Patriarchs are theirs; and from them, as far as his physical descent is concerned, came the Messiah, who is over all. Praised be ADONAI for ever! Amen.

6 But the present condition of Isra'el does not mean that the Word of God has failed. For not everyone from Isra'el is truly part of Isra'el;

7 indeed, not all the descendants are seed of Avraham; rather, "What is to be called your 'seed' will be in Yitz'chak."

8 In other words, it is not the physical children who are children of God, but the children the promise refers to who are considered seed.

9 For this is what the promise said: "At the time set, I will come; and Sarah will have a son."z

10 And even more to the point is the case of Rivkah; for both her children were conceived in a single act with Yitz'chak, our father;

11 and before they were born, before they had done anything at all, either good or bad (so that God's plan might remain a matter of his sovereign choice, not dependent on what they did, but on God, who does the calling),

12 it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger."a

13 This accords with where it is written, "Ya'akov I loved, but Esav I hated."

14 So are we to say, "It is unjust for God to do this"? Heaven forbid!

15 For to Moshe he says, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will pity whom I pity."