God’s love is not based on our merit but on His sovereign choice. In love, He picks us undeservedly and preserves us undeservedly (1:2–5). This challenges our assumptions about fairness and invites deep trust in His purpose.
Love that discriminates
Malachi 1:1-5
The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
The Lord‘s Love for Israel
2 “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 3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4 If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.’” 5 Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!”