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.