It’s all aboutLOVE

Malachi 1:1-5

“Oh Lord my God, is there no hope for a widow’s son?”

SERIES

MALACHI – an invitation to return to God

The Israelites during Malachi time

BACKGROUND:

1.Settled back in the land for 100 years

2.Mixing in with many foreigners

3.Already rebuilt temple

4.Serving God “religiously”

5.Still lacking the glory of God

6.Still experiencing no blessing

The Israelites’ Complaints

• God does not love“But you say, ‘How have You loved us?’” (1:2)

The Israelites’ Complaints

• God does not love

• It is vain to serve GodYou have said, ‘It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before the Lord of hosts? (3:14)

The Israelites’ Complaints

• God does not love

• It is vain to serve God

• The wicked is being blessedSo now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up but they also test God and escape (3:15)

The Israelites’ Complaints

• God does not love

• It is vain to serve God

• The wicked is being blessed

God’s AnswerMalachi 1:1-5 (NASB95)

1 The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.

2 “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;

3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”

God’s AnswerMalachi 1:1-5 (NASB95)

4 Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”; thus says the Lord of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the Lord is indignant forever.”

5 Your eyes will see this and you will say, “The Lord be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”

God’s AnswerMalachi 1:1-5 (NASB95)

1 The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.

2 “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;

3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”

God’s AnswerMalachi 1:1-5 (NASB95)

1 The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.

2 “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;

3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”

It’s NOT about a “religion”

It’s ALL about “love”