The God Who Loves and Hates

The Book of Obadiah – Why God Loved Jacob and Hated Esau

Did it ever cross your mind that the God of love can hate certain people? Even before they are born. How can that be? Is it true, and why would God hate anyone? What can a person do that would cause the God of peace and love to hate them?

This is the story of two men, twins in fact, between whom the rivalry was so intense that they were fighting inside of their mother’s womb. Concerned about the welfare of her children, she inquired of the Lord to determine if there were complications with either or both.

The Lord’s response was interesting, to say the least, and surprised both parents. Would the rivalry stop at birth? If not, how intense will it become, and when will it cease? Adolescence? Puberty? Young men? Adulthood? Death? After death? They are, after all, brothers.

Whatever happened to brotherly love? Let us find out together.

Our journey commences in the beginning, no, not their beginning, in the beginning with the eternal God seeking the origin of His election. We find that a promise was given. What was this promise? Why was the promise decreed? To whom was it issued?

Along the route we visit an historical site and discovered that several descendants were kings. Who were they and over what nation? Later we discovered that the family patriarch had a secret. I wonder which type of secret. Could it be a mistress, an illegitimate child? Oh, maybe it’s a murder mystery, do tell.

While visiting the historical site it was also learned that our patriarch had a mean streak, he was a rebel at heart. What did he do to earn such reputation? Could it be a result from a marriage because there were whispers concerning a marriage from hell?

As we were concluding our journey it was revealed that our patriarch and other members of the family were sleeping with the enemies. How can that be? Whom can you trust? It’s lonesome being the king.

We finally arrive at our destination just in time to witness the purge. The purge!? What in the world is that and why is it necessary? Oh, now I see, it’s the promised restoration. Whew, I love happy endings?