Love

God’s Love For His People

In order 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. T …

“You Shall Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.”

The Jews were required to obey 613 precepts in the Law; 365 negative precepts and 248 positive ones. One of their favorite exercises was discussing which of these divine commandments was the greatest. Here we find a scribe asking Jesus which commandment is the most important (v. …

He Promises to Restore Joy

God promises all the tribes of Israel that He will restore them (vv. 1-2). Despite Judah’s rejection and apostasy, God loved them (v. 3). “Loving kindness” refers to God condescending in goodness to the needs of His people. He says that I will restore your joy ( …

How Are You Showing Love to Others?

Though sexual impurity is a danger to be avoided (verses 3-8), loving other Christians is a practice to be cultivated (verses 9- 12). Christians quickly learn that they have a special kinship with other believers that they do not have with those outside of God’s family. You will e …

Love is an action

Everyone believes that love is important, but love is usually thought of as a feeling. In reality, love is an action. God loved us enough to sacrifice His Son for us (v.7). His love involves an action, and our love should be like His. Much that is called “love” in moder …

God’s people are to love one another

Up to this point John has been talking about “the commandments” in general; but now he focuses on one single commandment and that is that God’s people love one another (vv. 7- 8). Although the Old Testament Law required love for one another (Leviticus 19:18), Christ gave …

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

A certain lawyer, who was an expert in the law, asked Jesus “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 25). It was a good question asked with a bad motive, because the lawyer wanted to trap our Lord. Jesus, as He often did, simply answered hi …

True Love is Easily Seen

Our love for God is demonstrated by our loving the brethren (v.22). An example of this is found in I John 4:20-21. Love toward God is hard to measure, however love toward the brethren is easily seen. This love is to be a “fervent” love which is real and not …

The Divine Lover

Gomer and Israel have left their true husband, Gomer for other men and Israel for other gods. Both were deceived. The Lord calls upon the harlot’s children to accuse their mother of adultery (v. 2). If she does not repent, consequences will follow (vv. 3-5). Like Gomer, Israel is willing to believe …

A Picture of The Divine Lover

Gomer broke Hosea’s heart but because if it she made it possible for him to give the world a picture of the “divine lover.” He promised His love in the repeated “I will” statements to the Jewish people. “I will allure” (v. 14). God doesn’t …