Looking at the examples of Cain and Abel, and also Jacob and Esau, does this mean that there are children who are cursed even before they’re born?
“‘I have loved you,’” says the LORD. But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ ‘Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?’ the LORD says. ‘Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.’” (Mal. 1:2-3) “The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.” (Gen. 4:4b)
Malachi 1:2 - 3
ESV - 2 I have loved you," says the Lord. But you say, "How have you loved us?" "Is not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the Lord. "Yet I have loved Jacob 3 But Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.
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Asked December 21 2021
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Veronica N
Supporter
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Grant Abbott
Supporter
The fundamental truths of Scripture need to applied to interpret individual stories in the bible. 1) God is not willing that any should perish but that every human being would come to repentance 2) God loves the whole world [all his creation] so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins 3) God knows the heart of every human being, he knows who will respond to his mercy and grace and regrettably, who will harden their hearts and reject his salvation 4) God hates sin but He Ioves every sinner 5) God always punishes sin and always rewards righteousness By using this biblical truths, we can interpret the events in the lives of biblical characters and what God’s will is for each person. God loves Esau but hates the gift he gives because it does not bring honour and glory to God. God knows that Esau’s heart is hardened towards God, but he gives Esau many opportunities to repent. When Esau refuses to repent he judges and punishes his sin. These principles apply to Christians today. 1) God calls every human being to confess their sins and repent, turning toward God 2) God presents each person with his gospel message and invites each one to receive his salvation 3) God will bring trouble and calamity into people’s lives to get their attention, so they will listen to his message 4) God extends his love, mercy and grace many times to every human being, inviting us to join his eternal family We all have the free will to choose to respond to Jesus knocking at the door to our life, or to shut him out. God has not determined beforehand who is “In” and who is “Out” but God knows the future and so he knows the end result of all his efforts to save us. He knows beforehand, every person who will accept and who will reject his plan of salvation, because he sees our entire lives all in one moment of time. We decide our eternal destiny by the choice we make to reject God’s salvation. We are so enslaved by sin that we can’t even begin a journey to be saved unless God draws us to himself.
Donna Williams
Supporter
Veronica, I would like to share with you, that we were all born under a curse because of the disobedience of Adam. Romans 5:12 states: "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned." As it pertains to the examples that you mentioned, what stands out to me about Cain and Esau, is that they both made unwise decisions! Cain offered an offering that was unacceptable to God; but God gave him the opportunity to repent and he refused! Instead he made the decision to kill his brother Abel because of envy. The Lord punished him; but was merciful to him by putting a mark on him so that he would not be murdered. In the case of Esau, he was rejected by God because he despised and sold his birthright to his brother Jacob. I don't believe that children are cursed before they come into the world, but I do believe what Romans the 9th chapter teaches us about the election of God. I encourage you to read chapter 9 in its entirety. The Gentiles were not the elect people of God, but have received mercy, and have been made partakers of the New Covenant in Christ Jesus by the shedding of His blood! All things are according to the predetermined will of God! He knows all things, and discerns the thoughts and intentions of our hearts! I hope this helps!
Patricia Robinson
Supporter
Under the old covenant with Father YAHUAH, the iniquities of the fathers were visited upon the children. However, Paul mentioned what the Prophet Jeremiah wrote about a time will come, that no longer will the children eat sour grapes because of their fathers. But, each person will die or answer to their own sins. Paul wrote that the time had come through the renewed covenant by the sacrificial Lamb, Yeshua HaMashiach. As we approach this Peseach season (Passover season) we are commanded to remember Yeshua’s body and blood sacrifice, that we who believe in Him, are no longer condemned for our father's sins.
Carolyn Hostetter
Supporter
I believe the verses that tell us specifically about being sealed by the Holy Spirit are important for every believer to familiarize themselves with. We have the assurance and confidence that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. I also think that being sealed by the Spirit also speaks to the issue of once saved, always saved. To me, they say it all. I like everybody's answers as well. Ephesians 1:13-14: In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:22: And who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Ephesians 4:30: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
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