Foundational Grace

When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. (Genesis 25:27 ESV)

Foundational Grace

From the beginning, scripture gives hints that Esau was a better man than Jacob.  In their day, a man who was skillful in outdoor tasks was superior to a man who quietly hung around home.  And the comparison continued.  Esau was honest, Jacob a liar.  Esau was hard-working, Jacob was sneaky.  Esau was steady, Jacob was flighty.  Eventually Esau was gracious and kind, and Jacob was often bitter and angry.

So why was Jacob God’s chosen man for the line of the Messiah?

I have no idea.  He would not have been my choice. 

But God is gracious.  He chose Jacob because He chose Jacob.  He does not explain why.

I notice that He chooses me the same way.  Others have nobler character than me.  Others are more kingdom-useful than me.  Others are smarter, healthier, warmer, kinder, and even better looking.

He chose me to be His adopted child because He chose me.  He does not explain why.

So I do not need to fear losing His choosing.  I do not need to be insecure about my standing in His family.

The foundation of my relationship with God is grace.

We are peculiar, He chose us.