Malachi 1:3-5
1:3 a rejected (literally hated, the antonym of loved in 1:2 b): Love and hate form a polar word pair in Old Testament legal and prophetic texts (see Deut 7:9-10 c; Amos 5:15 d), often used to describe the alienation of a broken covenant relationship. Here, God says that he rejected Esau (and his descendants, the Edomites). Esau had despised and rejected covenant relationship with the Lord (see Gen 25:34 e; 26:34-35 f).• Esau was the ancestor of the Edomite nation, and his inheritance, the territory of Edom, was located on the southeastern rim of the Dead Sea. The mention of Jacob and Esau calls to mind the twin brothers’ rivalry (Gen 25:23-26 g).
1:4 h the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (Hebrew Yahweh tseba’oth): This name for God is prominent in Old Testament prophetic literature. Heaven’s Armies are the angelic armies at God’s command; the phrase emphasizes the invincible power of God.
• The Land of Wickedness: Esau was selfish and contemptuous of the tokens of the Lord’s covenant (see Gen 25:34 i). The nation of Edom came to personify the pride of self-centered existence (see Jer 49:16 j). The Edomites were also allies of Babylon in the destruction of Jerusalem (see Ps 137:7-9 k; Obad 1:10 l, 12 m).
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