Why did God choose Jacob over Esau before they were born?

God chose Jacob over Esau before birth so His purpose according to election might stand, not of works or human deserving, but of the sovereign God who calls. Since neither twin had done good or evil, the choice could not rest on merit but on God's elective purpose.

Les explains that Rebecca conceived twins by Isaac, and the children, Esau and Jacob, were not yet born and had done neither good nor evil. This was so the purpose of God according to election might stand—not of works, not of what man deserves, but of Him that calls, the sovereign God. Les also illustrates that as mankind moves down the river of life, the doors on the bank say, "Whosoever will may come," but after stepping through, one looks back and reads, "Chosen from before the foundation of the world."

Romans 9:11

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

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Why were Jacob and Esau chosen before they were born or had done good or evil?

Scripture states Esau and Jacob were chosen before birth, before doing good or evil, so that God's purpose according to election might stand—not of works or human deserving, but of the sovereign God. This shows election rests on God's purpose, while the invitation "whosoever will may come" leads to being chosen before the foundation of the world.