Malachi 1
Jacob Loved, Esau Hated (1:1-5)
1–3 In Malachi’s time, the people of Judah were questioning whether God still loved them (see Malachi:Introduction). God tells them (through Malachi): “I have loved you.” But the people respond: “How have you loved us?” (verse 2).
Then God gives the answer: He has chosen them to be His people. He chose them when He chose Jacob, ISRAEL’S founder, over his twin brother Esau, Edom’s founder (see Genesis 25:21–26; Romans 9:10–13). To choose JACOB was, in effect, to “love” him; to reject Esau was, in effect, to “hate” him.1 Therefore, the people of Judah can be assured that God’s covenant love for them is firm; just as He loved Jacob, so He will continue to love Jacob’s descendants.2
I have loved you (verse 2). God’s love for us makes our relationship with Him possible. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). The foundation of our relationship with God is not our FAITH—though faith is essential; it is God’s love. Everything begins with God.
Does any one of us dare to ask God, “How have you loved us—how have you loved me?” (verse 2). He will answer: “I have sent my Son to die on the cross for your sins” (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). Those who have experienced forgiveness and new life in Christ no longer question whether God loves them.
4-5 Here God promises JUDGMENT on Edom: whatever the Edomites build, God will demolish. It will remain a land under God’s wrath (see Isaiah 34:5–15; Jeremiah 49:7–22 and comments). When the people of Judah see what happens to Edom, then they will know that God is Ruler not only of Israel but of all other nations as well.
Blemished Sacrifices (1:6–14)
6–9 The Judahites had questioned God’s love for them; now God questions their love for Him! They weren’t even showing Him the respect a son shows his father or a servant shows his master. Doesn’t the supreme Father and Master of the universe deserve more respect than that! (verse 6).
God singles out the priests for blame; it was their job to lead the people in honoring Him. They had been defiling God by offering Him defective sacrifices (see Deuteronomy 15:21). They wouldn’t dare offer such animals to the human governor (verse 8); how could they dare offer them to God!3
In verse 9, God speaks ironically to the priests; He says, in effect: “Go ahead and implore me to accept your sacrifices—but I will not listen. I will accept neither you nor your sacrifices.”
10 In fact, God wishes they would shut the temple doors.4 The priests thought they could win God’s favor with defective sacrifices; but God wants no such sacrifices. We humans often think it’s better to give God “something” rather than nothing; we think that “lukewarm” service is better than “cold” service (no service). But the Lord will spit what is lukewarm out of His mouth (Revelation 3:15–16).
11–14 If the Lord’s own people (the Israelites) do not honor Him, He will find other people who will. His name will be great throughout the entire earth, from east to west (verse 11). In every place incense—prayers (Revelation 5:8)—and offerings—praise (Hebrews 13:15)—will be brought to Him. This prophecy is even now coming true through the worldwide church of Christ.5
In verses 12–14, God condemns the person who vows to offer Him a sacrifice and then offers Him one that is defective. According to the law, anything offered to fulfill avow had to be without defect (Leviticus 22:17–25). It is far better not to make a vow at all than to make a vow and then not fulfill it (Numbers 30:1–2; Ecclesiastes 5:5).
