Am I a Jacob, or an Esau?

Various authors

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Romans 9:11-13, "Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by Him who calls--she was told, 'The older will serve the younger.' Just as it is written: Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

After reading Romans 9, many people immediately ask a deeply personal question: "How can I know whether I am a Jacob, or an Esau?"

It is an understandable question, but it is not the question Scripture directs us to ask.

The Bible never tells us to discover whether our name is written in God's eternal decree, before we come to Jesus. God's secret will belongs to Him. Instead, Scripture consistently calls us to respond to what God has plainly revealed: repent of your sins and believe in Lord Jesus alone for salvation.

Many people become paralyzed by trying to peer into God's hidden counsel. They ask, "What if I am not one of the elect?" Yet the Bible never encourages anyone to determine election by such speculation. Election is known by its fruit.

A "Jacob" is not someone who first discovers that God has elected them. A Jacob is someone whom God graciously brings to repentance and faith in Jesus. Such a person begins to hate sin, love Jesus, treasure His Word, and persevere in following Him. These are not the cause of election, but its evidence.

By contrast, an "Esau" is characterized by unbelief and indifference toward the things of God. Hebrews describes Esau as one who despised his birthright for temporary satisfaction. His life illustrates a heart that valued earthly pleasures above God's blessing.

This means the question is not, "What does God's decree say about me?"
The question is, "What is my response to the Lord Jesus?"

If you hear the gospel and have no desire for Jesus, no grief over sin, and no concern for God's glory; then that should warn you that you are on your way to eternal Hell. Scripture repeatedly warns against merely presuming to be saved.

But if you find yourself burdened over your sin, longing for forgiveness, desiring Jesus, and trusting Him alone for salvation--then those are not reasons to despair. They are precisely the kinds of evidences that God is at work in a sinner's heart. Spiritually dead hearts do not seek Jesus. Those whom God draws come and joyfully, because He changes their hearts.

Perhaps the greatest mistake people make, is thinking they must solve the mystery of election before they can come to Jesus. The Bible never presents it that way. The gospel invitation is clear: Come to Jesus just as you are, with all your sin and filth! Everyone who sincerely comes to Him, finds that God had first been at work drawing them.

In the end, no believer will stand in Heaven saying, "I chose God." Every one will confess, "God had mercy on me--an undeserving, ill deserving, and Hell deserving sinner!"
Yet no condemned sinner will be able to say, "I wanted Jesus, but He refused me."

The blame for unbelief belongs entirely to the lost sinner;
the praise for salvation belongs entirely to God.

So, how can you tell whether you are a Jacob, or an Esau?

Do not try to climb into Heaven to read God's decree. Instead, look to Jesus! If you are trusting Him alone, repenting of your sin, and following Him--then you have every reason to thank God for His sovereign grace in saving you. The evidence of being a Jacob is not perfect obedience, but genuine faith and repentance.

"No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day!" John 6:44