The Lord’s Love
I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated.
Mal 1:2–3a
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The Lord’s Love
God reminds His people “I have loved you.” He wanted Israel to believe this basic truth. Yet the people answer back, “How have You loved us?” Israel challenged God’s claim with a confrontational question and another, “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” This second rhetorical question refers to a well-known fact. God had introduced the names of Esau (Edom) and Jacob (Israel), twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Since they were twins, one might suppose equal treatment. Yet we hear these words from God, “I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated.” A surprisingly strange statement. God’s love and care for all people and all creation is affirmed throughout Scripture, therefore, God’s “hatred” of Esau must be understood in light of what Jesus said about hating one’s “own father and mother and wife and children.” Such hatred refers to the choices a person must make between Jesus and loved ones. There is only two positions in which life is lived, for God or against God. Those for Him have His unfailing love and protection, Those against Him have His hatred and destruction. Yet His love for us is so great that He sent His only Son to die for those who hate Him. We are reconciled through the Son to the Father out of His great love for us. Thanks be to God that He loves us.
Mal 1:2–3a
+
The Lord’s Love
God reminds His people “I have loved you.” He wanted Israel to believe this basic truth. Yet the people answer back, “How have You loved us?” Israel challenged God’s claim with a confrontational question and another, “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” This second rhetorical question refers to a well-known fact. God had introduced the names of Esau (Edom) and Jacob (Israel), twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Since they were twins, one might suppose equal treatment. Yet we hear these words from God, “I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated.” A surprisingly strange statement. God’s love and care for all people and all creation is affirmed throughout Scripture, therefore, God’s “hatred” of Esau must be understood in light of what Jesus said about hating one’s “own father and mother and wife and children.” Such hatred refers to the choices a person must make between Jesus and loved ones. There is only two positions in which life is lived, for God or against God. Those for Him have His unfailing love and protection, Those against Him have His hatred and destruction. Yet His love for us is so great that He sent His only Son to die for those who hate Him. We are reconciled through the Son to the Father out of His great love for us. Thanks be to God that He loves us.
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