Sadly, we do not always learn from our past mistakes (or at least not well enough to make lasting changes). This is a problem that is presented in the book of Malachi. The burden Malachi had to bear was witnessing God’s people turning back to their foolish ways after being released from captivity. The prophet intended to correct abuses that had arisen among the returned Jews. He also warned the Jews of a coming day of judgment (Mal. 4:1-3 NKJV) and promised the coming of a messenger who would prepare the way for the Messiah (Mal. 3:1).
Through the prophet, God addressed several sins but one in particular stands out in the opening verses. God reveals that He has loved His people, yet they respond, “In what way have You loved us” (Mal. 1:2)? Only through pride and arrogance can one conclude that God does not love His people. The book of Malachi, like other Scriptures, can lead us to a better understanding of who God is. In 1 John 4:8 and 4:16, the text reads, “God is love.” God loves His people – even those who do not deserve His love (Mal. 1:2). God did not begin loving His people during New Testament times, He has always loved His people. Today, we have the means to know God’s love even better than the people to whom Malachi wrote (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8, 9). Yet, this does not give an excuse for their disbelief.
God is our Father (Mal. 1:6). Israel was God’s son under the old covenant (Ex. 4:22), and Christians today are God’s children under the new covenant (Gal. 3:26-29). John wrote, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be could children of God” (1 Jn. 3:1). There is no room for doubting now and there was no room for doubting then. God responded to their doubting by giving evidence of His love, referring to His selection of Israel to be His chosen people. He asked, “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother” (Mal. 1:2)? All of the Jews would have responded to this question with an affirmative answer. God continued, “Yet Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated” (Mal. 1:2). Of these two brothers, sons of Isaac, God chose Jacob because He “loved” him. Doubt is a tool that our adversary uses to cause us to question the love of God. Rise above the doubt and trust in the Father.
By: Jerrod Hammond