This probably has nothing to do with this, but I was just reading tonight how Esau took as a wife.. the daughter of Ishmael. It is interesting that God always refers to Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel.) Not just Abraham. It was just interesting to see the comparison of Jacob and Esau and Isaac and Ishmael. One a godly line, the other was not. It makes me think of the differences between spiritual fruit and the "leaves" of our work. One is a work of God, the other is the work of our flesh. Comparing the promise of Isaac and that being a spiritual "fruit" and Ishmael being a "work," I suppose saying "Esau I hated" makes sense. Esau married into that.

Anyway.. hope that made sense.. and sorry for straying a bit off topic. I don't thinkt that's what you were looking for LOL.

Michele