Charles Spurgeon Commentary Romans 9:11-13

"for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." — Romans 9:11-13 (ASV)

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; ) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Here were two children born at the same time; yet Esau was not of the true "seed." It does not matter how closely you may be connected with the people of God. Unless you yourself have a new heart and a right spirit, you still do not belong to the covenant seed, for this privilege does not come from the flesh, but God has chosen a spiritual seed according to His own good pleasure.