1. I speak the truth in Christ. I am not lying. My mind tells me that what I say is true. It is guided by the Holy Spirit.
2. My heart is full of sorrow. My sadness never ends.
3. I am so concerned about my people, who are members of my own race. I am ready to be cursed, if that would help them. I am even willing to be separated from Christ.
4. They are the people of Israel. They have been adopted as God's children. God's glory belongs to them. So do the covenants. They received the law. They were taught to worship in the temple. They were given the promises.
5. The founders of our nation belong to them. Christ comes from their family line. He is God over all. May he always be praised! Amen.
6. Their condition does not mean that God's word has failed. Not everyone in the family line of Israel really belongs to Israel.
7. Not everyone in Abraham's family line is really his child. Not at all! Scripture says, "Your family line will continue through Isaac." (Genesis 21:12)
8. In other words, God's children are not just Abraham's natural children. Instead, they are the children God promised to him. They are the ones considered to be Abraham's children.
9. God promised, "I will return at the appointed time. Sarah will have a son." (Genesis 18:10,14)
10. And that's not all. Rebekah's children had the same father. He was our father Isaac.
11. Here is what happened. Rebekah's twins had not even been born. They hadn't done anything good or bad yet. So they show that God's purpose is based firmly on his free choice.
12. It was not because of anything they did but because of God's choice. So Rebekah was told, "The older son will serve the younger one." (Genesis 25:23)