Malachi 1:2-5
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was Esau not Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob;
3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and given his inheritance to the jackals of the wilderness.”
4 Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”; this is what the Lord of armies says: “They may build, but I will tear down; and people will call them the territory of wickedness, and the people with whom the Lord is indignant forever.”
5 And your eyes will see this, and you will say, “The Lord be exalted beyond the border of Israel!”
God’s Love for Israel (1)
Dialogical format
Malachi wrote this prophetic book in a dialogical format. (1) The Lord speaks. (2) The people respond with a question. (3) The Lord answers that question. Today’s passage is written in this same format. (1) The Lord speaks: “I have loved you” (v 2a). The word “loved” is the Hebrew word “ahab.” In the Old Testament, this verb is used 32 times in reference to God’s love, and 23 of those occurrences describe God’s love for Israel. This demonstrates how deeply God loved Israel. This love is a covenantal love. More specifically, it is an electing love (ref. Deut. 4:37; 7:7-8; 10:15). (2) In response, the people raise a question: “How have You loved us?” (v 2b). Why did the people ask this question? By this time, several decades had passed since the completion of the temple reconstruction. However, the ideal “Kingdom” (the Messianic Kingdom) prophesied by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah had still not been fulfilled. Israel remained under the rule of the great Persian Empire, and the people’s gratitude toward God gradually grew cold. As a result, an atmosphere of formalistic worship and disregard for the Law became widespread among the people. (3) The Lord answers the people’s question. The Lord’s response is recorded in verses 2c through 5. We will examine its content next time.
God’s answer spoken through the Book of Malachi
Let us take a preliminary look at what follows. In response to the people’s question, three answers are ultimately given. (1) Israel’s suffering is not the Lord’s responsibility but their own. (2) By looking at the difference between Israel and Edom, it becomes clear that the Lord loves Israel. God’s election rests upon Israel. (3) The “day of the Lord” (the Tribulation) is coming. On that day, all unrighteousness and injustice on the earth will be brought to account and fully settled. These three points apply directly to our own walk of faith as well. When we become dissatisfied with our present circumstances, let us remember the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. All injustice and unfairness will be brought to account in the last days. Let us learn to walk each day in the fear of God.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the words, “I have loved you.” May I continue to walk in the fear of You today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.