In Toldot, we encounter the mystery of divine election woven into the story of Isaac’s household. The birth of Esau and Jacob reveals that Mar-Yah’s purposes unfold according to His sovereign wisdom rather than human expectation. Even before their birth, Alaha declares to Rebekah, “Two nations are in thy womb… and the elder shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23). This pronouncement establishes that divine favour rests not upon strength, appearance, or birth order, but upon grace and providence. Jacob, though flawed and cunning, becomes the vessel of covenantal promise, while Esau, though earnest in worldly things, disregards what is sacred, selling his birth-right for immediate satisfaction.

The Haftarah from Malachi echoes this tension between divine election and human response. “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau” (Malachi 1:2–3). The prophet calls Israel to remember that their chosen status is not a cause for pride but a summons to holiness. The priests’ negligence and the people’s complacency betray the covenant, teaching us that privilege without obedience leads to decay. The love of Alaha is steadfast, but it demands a response of reverence, faithfulness, and honour.

In the New Covenant, St. Paul interprets these ancient truths in light of divine mercy. “It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (Romans 9:16). The mystery of Jacob and Esau becomes a lesson in grace—that the Lord’s calling is not earned but received, not grasped through human cleverness but bestowed through divine compassion. Yet, as the Prophet Malachi reminds us, such grace must yield righteousness, lest the chosen become careless and forfeit their blessing.

Toldot invites us to reflect on the humility of election. Each believer, like Jacob, is called not because of merit but because of mercy. To receive that mercy is to walk faithfully before Mar-Yah, guarding the inheritance of faith with gratitude and obedience. For the God who loved Jacob and preserved His covenant through frail humanity still calls His people to holiness, that His promise might continue to bear fruit from generation to generation.

(Matt.)