Malachi I
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 but Esau I have hated. (Malachi 1:2,3 ESV)
The Wrong Side of the Equation
Sometimes I like the idea of algebra. Particularly, I enjoy moving the variables and constants around in an equation so that we can understand ONE variable, better. A+B+C= D, becomes A= D-B-C, if we want to know what “A” is.
I know… it is math… but…
When Malachi states that God loved Jacob, but hated Esau, we are quick look at the second part of that statement and scowl… how unfair God seems! How prejudicial! How judgmental! God hate? Harrumph!
And sometimes we easily move to examining TODAY’s people-groups… and make declarations about God’s similar hatred towards some group or action or person. And we almost seem to enjoy noting God’s hate, and move to join him. God hates THOSE folk… so I will hate them, too, we say.
But that is not the right side of the equation.
God actually loved Jacob. That should startle us, amaze us, confuse us, and comfort us.
The message of God’s Word is not merely a list of those whom God hates. If push comes to shove, He SHOULD hate all of us. We sin. We rebel against Him. And God, by His very nature, must hate that sin, and does hate that rebellion.
God hated Esau? Of course He did!
But God LOVED Jacob? The worse brother… the sneaky, lying, conniving, arrogant, mean, thoughtless, selfish brother? That is an amazing grace!
I have not figured out all the reasons that God should hate all those ‘others’ out there. They are myriad.
But more than that, I have not figured out the reasons that God LOVES Jacob… or Abraham… or Moses… or David… or Paul… or me.
But I am startled by His love. I am amazed by His love. I am delightfully confused by His love. And oh, His love comforts me!