{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Healing Eden, Part 06: The Strange Geography of Election (Jacob and Esau)","description":"Today we return to a fundamental theme in the biblical story, that of election \u2013 the idea that we belong to the community of salvation not by anything we do, but by the sovereign will of God. To be elect is to be chosen by God for salvation apart from any merit or effort or agreement on our part. It\u2019s often a difficult idea for 21st century westerners to swallow as we like to see ourselves as the captains of our own destiny. We imagine that if we are included in the community of salvation, it\u2019s because we somehow earned it (at the very least by \u201chaving faith\u201d). And if one is not included in the community of salvation, it must be because they are receiving just desserts. But in scripture matters of election are not nearly so clear and clean as this, as we shall in our passage for today \u2013 the story of Jacob and his twin brother Esau. Esau, as the elder brother, ought be the primary heir not only of his father, Isaac\u2019s, property, but of his blessing and of the covenant with God. And yet, it is Jacob \u2013 who schemes and calculates and who by abject manipulation and deception receives, both the birthright of the firstborn, but also the covenant blessing. To be clear, the promise of inclusion does not pass to both sons, but only to Jacob. And it forces us to ask: What does it mean to be chosen? Is the covenant of salvation only for some and not for others? Does God willfully exclude some from redeeming grace? Are the boundaries of the chosen people fixed forever? \u2026or might it be that, in the end, they are far wider than we imagine\u2026? Up for getting in touch? You can reach me anytime via the contact link at jesusat2am.com, by sending me email, chatting with me on BlueSky, or finding me on Facebook or Instagram. I\u2019d love to hear from you. And while you're at it, might you be up for supporting the podcast? You\u2019re tax-deductible gift to Canvas is a major help. As are your prayers, your online reviews, telling a friend or two! Want to follow along with the biblical texts for this sermon? Here's the link: Genesis 27:1-49 (NRSV). ","author_name":"Jesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of Faith","author_url":"http:\/\/www.jesusat2am.com","html":"