Genesis 25:19-23

Mom and dad had been good to me. I tell Becky it’s because they love me best. We both know that’s not true. Mom and dad have been good to Becky. That does not mean they love her the most. Mom and dad love both of us. Mom, dad and God have this in common, they all love their children.

God made his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That does not mean he loved them more than anyone else. He selected them to be the recipients of his grace because he did love everyone else. Through his covenant with them, God was implementing his plan to share his grace and mercy with everyone. With our limited knowledge it might seem unfair for God to choose the younger twin over the older. We must not forget that God does not suffer from our limited knowledge.  He knew them in the womb. He knew their potential, and he knew their nature. He did not love one more than the other, but he did pick the one who could best carry forth his plan to bless the nations.

Our nation is founded on the belief that all men are created equal. Christians believe that every life is of equal value, and that every life is equally loved by God. We recognize that not everyone is born into equal circumstances. The intent of grace is that those who are born in blessed circumstances will elevate and bless the less fortunate. Being chosen by God did not give Jacob extra privilege. It did give him extra responsibility. It was a responsibility that the scriptures will show he was slow to grow into.

Our nation appears to have been blessed. I believe the reality is that God has blessed the Christians that reside within this nation. He has not blessed us because he loves us more than the non-Christians. God has blessed his church that we might be a blessing to our nation, and through our nation might be a blessing to the world. We must not see our special position as a privilege. We must view it as a responsibility. The church is the body of Christ. If the church does not save the world, who will? God does not love us the most, but he just might hold us the most accountable.