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. 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 being 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 or not they like it. When times are hard it is difficult to believe that God loves us. God’s declaration of love is 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 (English Standard Version)
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God’s Love For His People
Malachi 1:1–5
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If we discovered that we had five minutes left to say all we wanted to say, every telephone booth would be occupied by people calling other people to stammer that they love them. Why wait until the last five minutes? ©. Morley, in Homemade, July, 1990). … More
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. 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 being 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 or not they like it. When times are hard it is difficult to believe that God loves us. God’s declaration of love is 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:
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 (English Standard Version)
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