Through the Bible: MalachiSample

God Loves The Chosen Ones

The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. “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.”

Malachi 1:1-2 (ESV)

Malachi prophesied around 100 years after Israel returned from Babylonian captivity.With the walls of the city and homes rebuilt, they became complacent in their spiritual walk over the years, doubting God and accusing Him of being unloving and distant. Yet the Israelites did not feel that they had received any grace from God, even asking Him, "What do you love us about?" They forgot about God’s favours in the past, blaming Him for not treating them well now. They also seem to want to find fault with God as an excuse for them to gradually distance themselves from Him. To show how God has loved them, Malachi points to the destruction of Edom, but God has kept the Israelites safe as they are the chosen ones.

God loves us as we are the chosen ones, just as He told the people through Malachi, and He wants us to turn from our own ways to follow him faithfully. He cares for us and wants the best for us.This is an act of God’s love and mercy towards all of us. He is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace to all of us.I pray that our faith may grow and that we come to a deeper knowledge and understanding of Your Word and the truth it contains. Thank You for your unfailing love. Please help us to turn from our own ways to follow You, to trust in Your love.This I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.