Bible:Genesis 25:23 - Revision history

Graham grove: Added a little bit to the commentary; removed open theism reference because I don't reckon it fits here

2008-11-05T02:31:48Z

Added a little bit to the commentary; removed open theism reference because I don't reckon it fits here

Aquatiki: /* Commentary */ apologetic stuff

2008-11-04T02:04:47Z

‎Commentary: apologetic stuff

BotUm: Automated import of articles

2008-08-09T15:21:46Z

Automated import of articles

New page

{{Quote|text=<big>{{Bible verse|Genesis|25|23|lang=WEB}}</big>}}
{{Infobox Contents |
topic_name = Genesis 25:23 |
subtopics = |
opinion_pieces = [[Bible:Genesis 25:23 (discussion)|Genesis 25:23 (discussion)]] <small>'' (For short comments and opinions)''</small> |
}}

== Commentary ==

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{{Bible versions|Genesis|25|23}}

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Genesis]] -> [[Genesis 25]]

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 == Commentary ==
-One possibility is that God was pre-knowing (not predetermining) the future: God did not take any part in determining Jacob's domination over Esau. Because God knows all things before they happen, He knew what would happen. This "hands off approach" is reminiscent of [[Open Theology]], which would add that God does not know people's decisions before they know.
+In Genesis 25:23, God is responding to the question that Rebecca has asked him about why she was finding her pregnancy so difficult. In answering God revealed to her that she was going to have twins and that the son who was born first, that is, the elder brother would actually be weaker and serve the son who was born second, that is, the younger brother. In Ancient Near Eastern, the first son would normally receive special blessing and a larger inheritance, and so this was very unusual.
-Another possibility is that this verse was written by Israelites who knew the end of the story. Genesis was not compiled until long after Jacob and Esau's life. The compiler of this narrative may have viewed the birth order as prophetic and wanted a way to tie it into later events. Therefore he wrote on God's behalf. In the Hebrew understanding of God, God knew everything before it happened. Thus the compiler was explaining what God was thinking.
+Some have suggested that this verse poses a problem for the goodness of God.  For Jacob (the younger brother) to dominate over Esau (the older brother) he had to sin and deceive Esau. It has been argued that for God to have known Jacob would be stronger, he would have aided Jacob. One possibility is that God was pre-knowing, but not predetermining, the future: God did not take any part in determining Jacob's domination over Esau but because God knows all things before they happen, He knew what would happen.
-However, given that there are so many prophecies about Christ and other that were clearly given beforehand, and yet God is said to not ever be the author of sin, we should conclude that it is possible for God to both clearly know the future and yet for people to remain free and accountable for their actions.
+Another possibility is that this verse was written by Israelites who knew the end of the story. Genesis was not compiled until long after Jacob and Esau's life. The compiler of this narrative may have viewed the birth order as prophetic and wanted a way to tie it into later events. Therefore he wrote on God's behalf. In the Hebrew understanding of God, God knew everything before it happened and thus the compiler would simply have been explaining what God was thinking.
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 ==Links==
 {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Genesis]] -> [[Genesis 25]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:04, 4 November 2008
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	== Commentary ==		== Commentary ==
		+	Some these this verse as posing a problem for the goodness of God. For Jacob (the younger brother) to dominate over Esau (the older brother) he had to sin and deceive Esau. It has been argued that for God to have known Jacob would be stronger, he would have aided Jacob.
		+
		+	One possibility is that God was pre-knowing (not predetermining) the future: God did not take any part in determining Jacob's domination over Esau. Because God knows all things before they happen, He knew what would happen. This "hands off approach" is reminiscent of [[Open Theology]], which would add that God does not know people's decisions before they know.
		+
		+	Another possibility is that this verse was written by Israelites who knew the end of the story. Genesis was not compiled until long after Jacob and Esau's life. The compiler of this narrative may have viewed the birth order as prophetic and wanted a way to tie it into later events. Therefore he wrote on God's behalf. In the Hebrew understanding of God, God knew everything before it happened. Thus the compiler was explaining what God was thinking.
		+
		+	However, given that there are so many prophecies about Christ and other that were clearly given beforehand, and yet God is said to not ever be the author of sin, we should conclude that it is possible for God to both clearly know the future and yet for people to remain free and accountable for their actions.

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