Romans 9:10
“Not only so, but Rebekah also conceived by one, by our father Isaac.”
What does Romans 9:10 mean?
Paul is continuing his argument about God's freedom in choosing people, and he reaches back to the story of Rebekah and Isaac to make his point. Rebekah was pregnant with twins (Jacob and Esau), and before they were even born—before either could do anything good or bad—God said the older would serve the younger. This happened even though normally the firstborn would inherit the blessing. Paul uses this ancient story to show that God's choices aren't based on human effort or worthiness, but on God's own purposes, which can feel unsettling when we're used to thinking things should be earned or fair.