1.29.17 ~ The Sovereign Love of God! Malachi 1:1-5

Read Malachi 1:1-5... Malachi speaks the word of God to Israel, declaring
God's sovereign love for them (Malachi 1:1-2a). There was doubt in the hearts of the people concerning God's love for them; God presents their doubt as a question (the first of about 2 dozen questions in this book), "How have you loved us?"
Malachi wrote early in the fifth century (445-424) B.C. The Israelites, released from their captivity in Babylon, had been back in the land of Palestine for about 100 years, during which: their priests had become corrupt; the people were marrying foreigners; divorce was rampant; social injustices were epidemic; and tithes were being withheld from God.
Israel questions God's love for them (Malachi 1:2b), but it is their love toward God that has ceased. Malachi reminds the people of God's unmerited and faithful love for them, it has nothing to do with their present situation; instead, God's love for them is a result of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
God declares (Malachi 1:2c), His favored love for Jacob; this would include the Twelve Tribes of Israel and all heirs of the promise made to Abraham (see Genesis 17:6-8; Romans 9:9-15).
God's blessing should have gone to Isaac's firstborn, Esau, but God divinely favored Jacob over Esau to receive the blessing (see Genesis 25:19, 21-34).
Rebekah's pregnancy (twins) was very uncomfortable and so she asks (Genesis 25:22) "why am I like this,” “what is happening to me?” Basically, there was a wrestling match going on inside her womb, a struggle that symbolized the antagonism that would exist between the two nations to arise from her two sons, as confirmed by God's answer to her question (see Genesis 25:23).
Notice (Genesis 25:28), Issac favored Esau, while Rebekah favored Jacob. God's sovereign plan to bless Jacob's descendants over those of Esau, superseded Isaac's own favored love for his firstborn son. God's sovereign hand directs the affairs of men, fulfilling God's own purpose, plan and promise.
See Genesis 16:1-16; 17:1-7, 15-27... Abraham is 86 when his first son Ishmael [lit. God hears] is born; he is 100 when his second son Isaac [lit. he laughs] is born. It is through Isaac that God makes His covenant with Israel - Abraham to Isaac, to Jacob.
Abram - exalted father; Abraham - father of a multitude. Sarai - my princess; Sarah - princess.
Even though neither Isaac nor Jacob were firstborn sons, they received the blessing and covenant of God.
Maybe this doesn't excite you the way it does me; but think about it! The Jews’ relationship with God came through Abraham, the patriarch of the Jews; neither you nor I are Jewish, but as Christians, we have received an eternal relationship with God, based on a spiritual birthright not an ancestral one.
No human ancestry or birthright will determine your salvation, it depends solely upon the sovereign will and work of God (see John 1:11-13; 3:3, 6-8; Galatians 3:26-29).
Jacob's name means "deceitful" or "heel-catcher" [lit. One Who Takes the Heel]. We know that Jacob's name was later changed to "Israel" (Genesis 32:28), meaning "he struggles with God" or "God's fighter."
Jacob's descendants are the son's of Israel to whom the Land of Canaan (Palestine) was given, by God.
Read Malachi 1:3-4... Esau means "Hairy." He became the father of the Edomites (Edom means “red” or “red stuff”), these were a people who were under God’s wrath, i.e., “whom the Lord has cursed.”
Saul fought against the Edomites; David actually conquered them, for a time; but there continued a smoldering hatred between the Jews and the Edomites (see Genesis 27:1-41; 36:8-9).
After the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D, the Edomites disappeared from history, bringing an end to the descendants of Esau.
*Interesting note: All Arabs, following Mohammed's example, claim descent from
Ishmael the firstborn son of Abraham. And yet the Arabs have fought against the Jews relentlessly for over 4000 years (against their own ancestral brothers).
Read Malachi 1:5... God sovereignly declared His authority to bless whom He chose; even those outside of the boundaries of Israel; this was always God's plan: Isaiah 42:6, “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.”
Isaiah 49:6, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 13:47, “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Acts 26:22-23, “I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead,
would proclaim light to His own people and to the Gentiles.”
Read Ephesians 2:11-22... Where Israel failed to worship and honor God as
His obedient children, you and I, along with every true Christian - throughout the world -have the opportunity to bear witness that God's light has come to the Gentiles, far beyond the boundaries of Israel.
God is sovereign; His will shall be accomplished just as He said it would; and so, we, God's people, have the divine privilege to live as those who are dearly loved by God our Father, testifying to God's grace and mercy which has been made effectual through Jesus Christ the Lord, as we serve Him wholeheartedly, steadfastly, in Spirit and in Truth, as He enables and empowers us to do so.
And all God's people said, Amen!
Pastor Mike <‘(((><