Part 2 – Chosen or Free to Choose?

This part explains what the Bible says about election, and whether people like the Pharaoh of Egypt or Judas, who betrayed Jesus, had a free choice.

What does the Bible say about election?

The doctrine of election teaches that God has determined in advance whom He has chosen, and whom He has not. I grew up with the idea: God chooses you if He wants to. Then all you can do is hope that you are included, otherwise an eternally burning fire awaits. That is not a hopeful prospect. It was preached that one had to repent, but how? And if one is not chosen, does believing make any sense at all?

Now I feel compassion for people who live under this yoke. This was already the case in the Bible. In Matthew 23:4 Jesus says,

“They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.”

Here Jesus is referring to the scribes and Pharisees.

What a contrast with what Jesus offers! We read in Matthew 11:28–30,

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

How remarkable: if the yoke is too great and the burden too heavy, there is permission to go to Jesus and lay everything at His feet—traditions, doctrines, everything that weighs down. Then deep inner rest will be experienced.

What does election mean in the Bible?

If Romans 9 is read without understanding the background—the Old Testament often seems difficult and heavy and is therefore not read by many—it appears as if God hated Esau and chose Jacob. Jacob was chosen, Esau was not. End of story.

Or is it?

It is more nuanced. It is important to search further in the Bible. God foretold to Rebekah that her eldest son Esau would serve the younger, Jacob. This pattern is seen more often,

Abel instead of Cain, Isaac above Ishmael, Jacob above Esau, David above his brothers.

Always first the natural person, then, after conversion, the spiritual person.