11 The [1] oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel through [2]Malachi . 2 "I have loved you," says the Lord . But you say , "How have You loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother ?" declares the Lord . "Yet I have loved Jacob ; 3 but I have hated Esau , and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness ." 4 Though Edom says , "We have been beaten down , but we will [3] return and build up the ruins "; thus says the Lord of hosts , "They may build , but I will tear down ; and men will call them the [4]wicked territory , and the people [5]toward whom the Lord is indignant forever e ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Malachi 1:1-4
Commentary on Malachi 1:1-5
(Read Malachi 1:1-5)
All advantages, either as to outward circumstances, or spiritual privileges, come from the free love of God, who makes one to differ from another. All the evils sinners feel and fear, are the just recompence of their crimes, while all their hopes and comforts are from the unmerited mercy of the Lord. He chose his people that they might be holy. If we love him, it is because he has first loved us; yet we all are prone to undervalue the mercies of God, and to excuse our own offences.