As it is written
In ( Malachi
1:2 Malachi
1:3 ) ;
Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
These words are explanative of the former; they are of like
import, and the one interpret the other; and show, that the
former are to be understood in a spiritual, and not in a temporal
sense, and of the persons, and not the posterity of Jacob and
Esau; for though Malachi prophesied long after Jacob and Esau
were personally dead, yet the Lord in that prophecy manifestly
directs the murmuring Jews to the personal regard he had had to
Jacob and Esau, and which had continued in numberless instances
to their respective posterities, in order to stop their mouths,
and reprove their ingratitude; and though he speaks of the nation
of the Edomites, and to the posterity of Israel, yet it is
evident, that he has a respect to the persons of Jacob and Esau,
from whence they sprung, when he says, "was not Esau Jacob's
brother?" ( Malachi 1:2 ) , now
though an Edomite may be said to be brother to an Israelite, yet
Esau is never said, nor can he with any propriety be said to be
the brother of Jacob's posterity: it remains, that these words
regard their persons, and express the true spring and source of
the choice of the one, and the rejection of the other; and which
holds true of all the instances of either kind: everlasting and
unchangeable love is the true cause and spring of the choice of
particular persons to eternal salvation; and hatred is the cause
of rejection, by which is meant not positive hatred, which can
only have for its object sin and sinners, or persons so
considered; but negative hatred, which is God's will, not to give
eternal life to some persons; and shows itself by a neglect of
them, taking no notice of them, passing them by, when he chose
others; so the word "hate" is used for neglect, taking no notice,
where positive hatred cannot be thought to take place, in (
Luke 14:26 ) .