The words stand out on the page. They were intended to, for they are shock therapy for Israel. But Paul also uses them in his explanation of the plan of the ages in Romans chapter 9. We do well to take careful notice of these words.
The personal consideration: When Rebekah sought the Lord in the difficult days of her pregnancy, He explained to her that there were ‘two nations’, ‘two manner of people’ wrestling within her, Gen. 25. 23. Malachi makes it plain by replacing the name of the man, Esau, with the nation, Edom. Nonetheless, Esau was plotting Jacob’s death, 27. 41, and as such pitted himself against the God of Jacob and His whole Messianic plan. Esau’s personality is reflected, not only in the race he sired, but in a certain kind of people who despise God while wanting His blessings; see John 6. 24-26.
The linguistic consideration: Sometimes when God speaks of loving and hating, they are used in their absolute sense; e.g. Heb. 1. 9. At other times, they are comparative; e.g. Luke 14. 26 with Matt. 10. 37. How are they used regarding Jacob and Esau? When the twins were reconciled at the Jabbok, both acknowledged, ‘I have enough’, Gen. 33. 9, 11. God had been good to Esau, but only Jacob acknowledged the source. Ingratitude caused Esau to despise his birthright and lose it. God’s continued goodness to him left his heart unmoved.
The contextual consideration: The statement is found in Malachi, not Genesis. More than a millennium had rolled its course before God made this pronouncement. He was calling His people to see how blessed they were, in contrast to their neighbours and kinsmen who had fallen under the judgement of God. But the sons of Jacob responded to such favour strangely like Esau when they said, ‘Wherein hast thou loved us?’ Seven more times they would hurl the defiant ‘Wherein?’ in His face.
The devotional consideration: Hebrews chapter 12 applies the issue to our lives personally. It is possible, by letting a root of bitterness spring up, as Esau did against Jacob, to act Esau-like towards the Lord, His people, and His promises. There are some things tears cannot wash away, v. 17.
