I Loved Jacob
I have loved you, says the Lord. But you ask, How have you loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? the Lord says. Yet I have loved Jacob,
Malachi 1:2 (NIV)
God declares and Israel doubts: I have loved you, says the Lord. But you ask: how have you loved us? Love questioned by ingratitude. Forgotten benefits become accusations. Captive Israel measured love by comfort. Divine love proves itself in history, never in day's moods.
Was not Esau Jacob's brother? Yet I have loved Jacob: election before works. Sovereign love chooses consulting no merits. Jacob the deceiver loved; Esau the skillful passed over. Electing love convicts humbling pride. Nobody boasts before grace-choosing love. Unpayable debt breeds incurable gratitude.
How have you loved us?: God would answer listing deliverances: Egypt, desert, return. Love owns memorials. When doubting, review files: provisions, pardons, doors. Every page of your history signs: I loved you. Doubts silence before memorials. Remembered love stills questions.
Today, answer gratefully instead of asking complainingly. Review how He loved you this week. Count, note, celebrate. Your inner Jacob, deceiving and fleeing, was loved and transformed to Israel. Loved like this, love back unreservedly.
And believe love: elected beloved love fearlessly. Believe love today. Elected beloved believe. Love back fully. Trust grace. Rest chosen. Rest chosen and grateful. Count mercies. Review history. Love much.