LESSON XXX. Election

Questions to Lesson 30^{*What does election mean? Who was chosen as the forefather of Christ? Which of Abraham’s sons was chosen? Repeat what God said of Isaac? What were the names of the twin children of Isaac? Which of them was elected? What said the Lord to their mother? What must Esau do to be saved? What word is used by Thompson instead of hated? When this word is used comparatively, what does it mean? (A. Campbell.) In what sense should we hate father, mother, etc.? What should we do, if necessary, in regard to the present life and the future? What is the necessary result of choosing one, from a family, through whom Christ must be born?}

Election means choice. We have seen that God made choice of Abraham to be the forefather of Christ. But Abraham had a number of sons, therefore it became necessary for another election to be made, since Christ could descend through but one line of progenitors. Isaac was chosen; and so God said to Abraham, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. Genesis 21:12. The honor of being the father of the promised seed was conferred on him; and the promise made to his father was renewed to him, viz: In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Genesis 26:4.BIC 69.2

Isaac had two sons that were twins, Esau and Jacob, and another election must be made; for God will give the world the proof that his promise to Abraham is fulfilled-that Christ is descended from him. So an election must be, made, and that branch of the family through which Christ is to come must be pointed out. Jacob was chosen; and the Lord said to Rebekah their mother, The elder shall serve the younger. Genesis 25:23; Romans 9:10-13. [Take the Bible and read the texts referred to.]BIC 69.3

There was no “unrighteousness with God” in making this choice before the children had done any good or evil; for he had a perfect right to choose, and no one could claim the favor for any good that they had done. The case was not, as some have taught, that Jacob was elected to salvation, and Esau to damnation, before they had done any good or evil. A Saviour was to be provided for the whole world, but Esau he elder, must submit to “serve” Christ, though given to the world through Jacob, the younger.BIC 70.1

The word, hated, is, by Thompson, translated slighted and “when it is used in Scripture, as it is often comparatively, it signifies only to postpone in our esteem and kindness.” In proof of this, see Luke 14:26, where Jesus said, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Other scriptures teach us plainly that we are to love all these near relatives, therefore, the sense of this text is, merely, that we should love them less than we love Christ and his cause. We are to be very thankful to God for the blessings of the present life, but we are to love the future, promised life so much better, that we would willingly lay down the present for the sake of the future. Matthew 16:25.BIC 70.2

If God would give the world a Saviour through Isaac, he must, of necessity, choose that member of the family through which he should come; and if Jacob is chosen, Esau and the rest of the children must be slighted.BIC 71.1