“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob;” Malachi 1:2
Today I finished the Old Testament and this Verse jumped out. This is how we are introduced to Malachi. God makes a statement; then, assumes the question that will be asked; and then, gives the answer. He does this several times throughout the Book, and by doing so, makes His Points and Message clear. He deals with Honor, Sacrifice, Tithes, and here at the beginning, with Love.
What stood out to me was “Our” personal application; how this applies to “Us”. When God says “I have loved you” to Jacob, He explains it by making another statement. In Verse 2 He says “Esau I have hated”. If you remember, Jacob and Esau were twins, and yet God shows “Special Love” to just Jacob. This happened before they had even been born, as Paul tells us, “the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad”.
Now, without getting into a discussion on Election, just consider this in light of God “Loving you”. So, you ask, “How have you loved me?” Then take a look around at those you know who are “unsaved”. Maybe a Family Member, Friends, your Neighbor, your School and Work Mates. All around us are those God “has not loved” in a Special Saving Way! THIS…is Malachi’s point to us!!! May this help us see God’s Love to us in a Brighter Way!