I Have Loved You

Malachi 1:1-5 

A prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi. “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wastelandand left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.” But this is what the Lord Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord. You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Great is the Lord—even beyond the borders of Israel!’

'I have loved you' Says the Lord.

Its curious to me that Malachi chooses the difference between Jacob and Esau as proof of God's love. Two brothers, twins, and God chooses the younger of the two. Is this because Jacob is willing to wrestle with God himself? Because Jacob is tricky and stubborn? Because Jacob works for years just for the women that he loves? Or is it because Esau gave away his birthright for a bowl of soup? God knows the heart of those who he calls. In Malachi God reminds his people of his love for them, by reminding them that he chose them. He chose one brother over another. He even promises to destroy Edom (Esau's descendants).

Often in prophecy, the past deeds of God and the people he called, are used as evidence of His character and love. Here God reminds his people that he chose them, He reminds them of the man, who's name is their given identity. Jacob, who is re-name Israel because he's willingness to wrestle with God himself. His name is still used to speak of God's chosen people. God is reminding the people, not just of his love for them. He is reminding them of their identity. God promised Abraham descendants more numerous then the stars, but it is Israel who gives his name to the people themselves.

Malachi is the last of the prophets. After this prophecy there is silence. The silence is only ended by the coming of the Messiah. Here at the beginning of this 'final' prophecy, Malachi calls God's people to remember his love. God's choice in Jacob, in the fallen wandering people who carry his name, is a show of his great love. In fact in the first chapter of Malachi there are four references to the Greatness of God's name among all the nations. 'I have loved you' the Lord reminds his people. He is promising to show them a even greater love. He is promising to show his greatness.