God’s Love For His People
September 1, 2022
Commentary
To understand the book of Malachi a person needs to know to whom it was written. These people were fighting God and unwilling to trust Him or even listen to His messenger. Israel had just returned from exile and the nation of Edom was still in bondage to the Chaldeans. This passage could be referred to as, “A Call to respond to God’s love” (vv. 1-5). They were insensitive to both the love of God and to their own wicked departure from God. God’s love had preserved a wicked Israel that more than deserved to be reduced to rubble.
However, in the absence of this sustaining love Edom’s mountains had been turned into a wasteland. It is not for certain when this destruction of Edom took place. The people foolishly think that by their ability they can restore everything but without God’s help they are doomed to failure. Edom would be known as “the border of wickedness” and the ruin of Petra stands as a testimony of this fact. We should praise God that His love was meant to be universal and extend beyond the borders of Israel.
The prophesy in this book deals with rebuke and condemnation. It is described as the “burden” (v. 1) which indicates that it is not something the prophet takes delight in bringing, but he delivers it faithfully, for it is true and what the people need, whether they like it or not. When times are hard it is difficult to believe that God loves us. God’s declaration of loveis because of who He is (v. 2). The love God has shown for Israel ought to form the motive and model of their love toward Him; but unfortunately, it did not. God’s demonstration of His love for Israel comes with two proofs:
1. His sovereign choice of Israel (vv. 2-3).
2. His sovereign preservation of Israel (vv. 4-5).
Application
I am so thankful that God’s love was universal and extended beyond the borders of Israel. No matter how much I have disregarded and failed Him He still loves me.
Malachi 1:1– 5 (NET)
1 This is an oracle, the Lord’s message to Israel through Malachi:
2 “I have shown love to you,” says the Lord, but you say, “How have you shown love to us?”
3 and rejected Esau. I turned Esau’s mountains into a deserted wasteland and gave his territory to the wild jackals.”
4 Edom says, “Though we are devastated, we will once again build the ruined places.” So the Lord of Heaven’s Armies responds, “They indeed may build, but I will overthrow. They will be known as the land of evil, the people with whom the Lord is permanently displeased. 5 Your eyes will see it, and then you will say, ‘May the Lord be magnified even beyond the border of Israel!’”