Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 9:12

"it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger." — Romans 9:12 (ASV)

It was said to her. By Jehovah. See Genesis 25:23.

The elder. This refers to the eldest son, who was Esau. By the law of primogeniture among the Hebrews, he would have been entitled to special honors and privileges. But it was said that in his case this custom would be reversed, and that he would take the rank of the younger.

Should serve. This means he will be subject to the younger; he will not have the authority and priority, but will be inferior. The passage in Genesis 25:23 shows that this referred particularly to the descendants of Esau, and not to him as an individual.

The meaning is that the descendants of Esau, the Edomites, would be inferior to and subject to the descendants of Jacob. Jacob was to have the priority, the promised land, the promises, and the honor of being regarded as the chosen of God.

Therefore, this referred to the whole series of temporal and spiritual blessings connected with the two races of people. If it is asked how this bears on the apostle's argument, we may reply as follows:

1. That it settles the principle that God may make a distinction among people, in the same nation and the same family, without reference to their works or character.

2. That He may confer His blessings on whomever He pleased.

3. If this is done in regard to nations, it may also be done in regard to individuals. The principle is the same, and the justice is the same. If it is supposed to be unjust for God to make such a distinction regarding individuals, it is surely no less unjust to make a distinction regarding nations. The fact that many are thus favored does not make it more proper or remove any difficulty.

4. If this distinction may be made in regard to temporal things, why not in regard to spiritual things? The principle must still be the same. If unjust in one case, it would be in the other. The fact that it is done in one case also proves that it will be done in the other, for the same great principle will run through all the dealings of the Divine government.

And as people do not and cannot complain that God makes a distinction among them in regard to talents, health, beauty, prosperity, and rank, neither can they complain if He acts also as a sovereign in the distribution of His spiritual favors. Therefore, those who regard this as referring only to temporal and national privileges gain no relief concerning the real difficulty in the case. For the unanswerable question would still be asked: Why has God not made all people equal in everything? Why has He made any distinction among them? The only reply to all such inquiries is, Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight (Matthew 11:26).