Genesis 25 vs 23
", and the elder shall serve the younger" (i.e. in the case of Esau and Jacob)

- Each time I read through this Bible text, this question storms my mind, IS GOD PARTIAL? HOW?

- If you are to be Esau (the elder) and u got to know about this pronouncement, WHAT WILL U DO?

@Poster: Its a good thing that you were very specific about the two people (Esau and Jacob), who you felt that your Bible verse, above referenced. Note that this verse of the Bible, was revealed long after the birth of the Uncle of the two men, the same uncle who is older than their father, little brother Isaac.

Then I wonder how the Christians, through their surrogate fathers/overlords, the Jews, Ishmael (Sayidina Ismail) the elder could have been taking to be taking a second place to younger Isaac (Sayidina Isiaq)? It is not possible, except if your Christian/Jew God is always been partial to the younger, from time. Then you will have to show us many examples, vis a vis from time, that fit Ismail/Isiaq relationship conditions, and at the same time others tha fit Esau/Jacob relationship conditions.

God is not partial. He never was, and never will.

I indulge you to read the bible as a whole and not as a fragment. that way u dont get confused, create doubts and allow unlearned non-christians cast aspersions on God's word through u. _{I am assuming u are a christian}

To the issue u raised.
first u must note that Gen25:23 is a prophecy. Since God is omniscient, he sees beyond.
He knew that this children will each be the favourite of their parents. Isaac to Esau and Jacob to Rebecca. He knew of the blessings Isaac wants to pass to Esau and the schemings of Rebecca. you already know this part of the story.

If God had decreed it so, then there was no way out for Esau. But every prophecy that does not speak well of u can be reversed, that was exactly what Esau did. Though Jacob got the blessing and was well blessed, Esau broke the yoke and never served Jacob and Esau had more than jacob in terms of all.

Lets examine the scriptures together
Genesis 32 vs 4. Jacob acknowledges he is a servant compared to Esau.
Genesis 33 vs 3-8 Jacob and his entire household including his servants bows to Esau 7 times and Jacob called Esau "MY LORD".
Genesis 33 vs 9 Esau rejects jacobs gifts because he was far more blessed.

The fate of Esau was as a result of the wranglings and scheming of his parents. God's word was only a prophecy and just like jabeez did, Esau refused to be poor neither did he serve jacob.

If a pastor says u will die tommorow, its only a word of prophecy, what u do about it determines wether u die or not.

God takes care of believers and blesses them more than unbelievers.Isn't that being partial? Kinda like a good sort of partial.

the bible contains many references to discrimination, prejudice, segregation etc
far as am concerned it is one of the most racist, sexist, dicriminatory book of all times

Can I get a "whoop, whoop!" from the Calvinists in the house.

Thanks a lot Noetic.

Does it mean that genuine prophecy from God can change even if it is good?

How can you go about it?

vivaladiva:

the bible contains many references to discrimination, prejudice, segregation etc
far as am concerned it is one of the most racist, sexist, dicriminatory book of all times

This is a very accurate statement.

e_samfor2:

Does it mean that genuine prophecy from God can change even if it is good?

How can you go about it?

there are three examples and insights in the bible with which we can answer this.

1)First was abraham, without a son yet he was promised that he will be the father to all nations. for the many years that he had no child, the bible still refered to him as the friend of God. y? because he continued to please God.

2)Then was David. when he was promised and annointed to be a king during th reign of saul, for few years afterwards he was still in the wilderness guarding sheeps. meaning there was no physical changes in his life. evn though he had the annointing and the promise, he still lived first in the wilderness and then like a militant, for the fear of his life. yet he never forgot how to praise God.

3)the third is Joseph who was promised at the age of 18, that he will be a great man, that all will bow for. you know the story, he went to jail, the promise only made manifest when he was over 30. but in d period of serving in jail, he acknowledged the Testifier and knew no sin.

all these three men recieved promises, but these promises took time to manifest as said by God in His word.

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3 (KJV).

the only thing they had in common was that they held the testimony and prophecy HE gave them, and all through the waiting period they continued to please HIM. and because He is the living witness, their prophecy and testimony came to pass.

the opposite example was the children of isreal.
u know the story, they went to slavery for the sins of abraham. but even in slavery, He made them a promise and prophecy that they shall not serve beyond 400 years after which they shall find rest in the promised land.
they did not please God with their ways, they grumbled when their time was up. but they paid for it with aditional 30 years of slavery.

Moses was called to lead the children of isreal to the promised land he promised their fathers (Exodus 3:8 ), one mistake on the way and he became history. Moses is a typical example of one who displeased God and never recieved the testimony and prophecy.

When u recieve a good prophecy, await your testimony in righteousness. plead for the grace to await it without sin.
when u recieve an unfavourable prophecy, denounce the testimony and make proclamations using the word of God to affect a change. king Ezekiah is a notable example

Shalom

I understand your points so far NOETIC.

But a lot of things do happen when u're waiting for the fulfillment of good God-given prophecies. Like ppl mocking, abusing or insulting u, u know these things use to demoralize and weaken the heart. My friend, its not easy to cope!!!

And in case of negative prophecy, I feel u can't go against it all alone. Do you need some ppl to help in overcoming the situation? Which type of ppl?