“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?”(Malachi 1:2)
God had loved Israel but how they asked. The response is interesting, "Is not Esau Jacob's brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated" (Malachi 1:2-3). God shows his love for Jacob, Israel, which he demonstrates through election."though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Romans 9:11-13, ESV).
Esau was immoral and sold his inheritance and sought repentance in tears but wasn't granted it (Hebrews 12:17). Was it because of his sin? Or because of God's purpose of election? Before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, God chose Jacob. Paul doesn't use foreknowledge in this verse, quite the opposite, God did not foresee and choose Jacob because he would be a good person, in fact God had to wrestle with him. Is God unjust in whom he chooses? "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and compassion on whom I will have compassion" (Romans 9:14). This is how God demonstrates his love, through election. God grant us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing you... knowing you produces a heart that honors you.
God's election, in that he loved Jacob and hated Esau, speaks of election being by grace, not according to works, but by him who calls. "Chosen by grace" (Romans 11:5). Is this injustice on God's part? the older Esau, though they were twins came first, according to the law he was entitled to the inheritance, but God chose Jacob. Now, Jacob did not come easy, he wrestled with God. Look at Jonah, it took him being swallowed by a whale, look at Paul he had to be blinded by a great light and hear the voice of Jesus, and there are others the scriptures talk about... The potter molds the clay, some for honorable use.
"For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills" (Romans 9:17-18).
God could raise up stones to be children of Abraham (Matthew 3:9). In Revelations we read God created creatures that cry out ’Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). If that were his desire, why create man and not more of these beings? There is something more going on, lets go back to Malachi to see if we get a glimpse.
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor?" (Malachi 1:6)
God chose them as his own children, he had blessed them, but they did nothing to honor him. He tried offerings, tithes, even the priests were further dedicated to serving God in the temple but what happened? Surely, from their hearts they will honor me, shown in their offerings, sacrifices, and serving. But they did not look at God as a heavenly Father, they did not honor him, they did not honor his name. They gave sacrifices and offered blind, lame and sick animals. But it wasn't really about giving their best, this the Pharisees did, they gave ten percent, even of all their herbs but their hearts were far from God, they cleansed the outside of the cup while the inside was dirty, they cared more about honoring men than God, Jesus said. So let's not make the mistake that we can appease God with giving and sacrificing. What was the real issue?
For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 1:6)
Ahh, is it because God had chose them to make his name great among the world but they dishonored his name? "For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations." Is it because he is a great King and they dishonor his name? "And when you offer those
that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor;
will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 1:8). You see the underlining issue? I think it is best seen in a father son relationship.
If a Governor came they would offer the best lamb but gave blind and lame ones to God. "Am I not to be honored over a governor, over a king?" It wasn't even God's idea for Israel to have a king, they had rejected His leadership and wanted a king like the other nations. So I think this is how God is trying to relate to them. Here, they are just going through the motions, giving tithing, offering, sacrificing... They want his favor, they want his blessings but they do not honor him.
What if you prayed for the healing of a loved one and God healed her, would you honor and glorify God or would you be like these children, expecting God to give good things to his children but not honor him back. Do you see the connection between an earthly father and son? “A son honors his father... If then I am a father, where is my honor?" (Malachi 1:6) Do we relate to God as our heavenly Father? Do we honor him as a son would honor a earthly father? Or do we take him for granted.
Honoring your father is one of the ten commandments. Why? We can easily see how most of the commandments point to love. Love God; do not have any god before him, do not make images of gods, do not take his name in vain... these are all about loving him. Easily we see love your neighbor; do not kill him, nor sleep with his wife, nor steal from him... But now I see, honoring your father has its basis in love. "A son honors his father," why? To receive an inheritance, favor, and blessings? Surely, obedience in and of itself doesn't prove honor. I obeyed leaders in the military I did not respect. The older son in the prodigal son story was obedient. And look at the younger son, he wasted his inheritance and sought repentance, and it was granted. Why him and not Esau? So we know obedience in and of itself is not what God wants. The scriptures say do not provoke your children to wrath, some do in the name of producing obedient children. Give your children a foundation of faith and love.
Our Father in heaven, your name be consecrated... (Matthew 6:9)
Our Father, the one who chose us and set us apart, the one who put his Spirit within us, whom cries Abba Father. The one who loved us, and predestined us for adoption as his own, to be holy and blameless in his presence. Who had mercy through his great love, and made us alive in Christ, to demonstrate his kindness.
Our Father who is kind, merciful, loving, long-suffering... and yes, who disciplines because he loves us so that we share in his holiness. May we honor you, let us not be like selfish, spoiled earthly children who only come to a father for earthly blessings and favor. Our Father in heaven, let us know you, open the eyes of our hearts, so that we may revere you, and stand in awe of you, and honor you. May your name be great among the elect.