Malachi 1:2

ESV "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

NIV "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,

NASB I have loved you,' says the Lord. But you say, 'How have You loved us?' 'Was Esau not Jacob’s brother?' declares the Lord. 'Yet I have loved Jacob;

CSB "I have loved you," says the Lord. Yet you ask, "How have you loved us?" "Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?" This is the Lord’s declaration. "Even so, I loved Jacob,

NLT I have always loved you,' says the Lord. But you retort, 'Really? How have you loved us?' And the Lord replies, 'This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob,

KJV I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob,

NKJV “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the Lord. “Yet Jacob I have loved;

What does Malachi 1:2 mean?

Malachi takes the form of a dialogue, where God's messenger delivers accusations, and Israel responds with doubt. In this verse, God declares that He has "loved" Israel. As used in the Old Testament, this implies more than mere feelings. It is a statement that God has actively worked for the good of the Jewish people. Israel seems to see no such love.

At this point in history, Israel had been attacked several times by Babylon. Jerusalem had been sacked, the temple destroyed, and many people taken captive. When Malachi was written, the people had been allowed to rebuild, but they were still under the control of a foreign enemy. They were bitter, angry, and eager to see the Promised One appear. The fact that Israel questions God's love is not only a sign of their angst, but shows a lack of trust in God.

Verses 2 through 5 explain God's love for Israel by contrasting it to the fate of Edom. Jacob and Esau were brothers, and became the fathers of the nations of Israel and Edom. Israel is sour over their oppression by Babylon, a judgment brought on them by God. Edom, on the other hand, was judged by God through complete destruction. The fact that Israel still exists is proof that God has favored them over other people.

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