Malachi: How Have You Loved Us?

I wonder why Esau is mentioned when they asked the question "How have you loved us?" It does not seem to me to me a direct answer to the question when it mentions Esau. The commentary helps me to understand the reason. The commentary briefly outlines the history of Edom happened during that period. It especially helps me to understand how Malachi's first audiences could have understand the situation and it allows me to interpret the passage appropriately. Edom seemed to be safe place for refugees when Jerusalem was struck in 587 B.C. They worked on their own with great determination to rebuild. God came against Esau's people in Edom and all their efforts, and they earned the title the wicked land and the people were always under the wrath of the Lord. As contrasted to Edom, descent of Jacob had been granted the grace to return and restore with blessing. Their very existence and everything they had built were proof of God's love, grace and forgiveness (p.329).

I note the format of the book is like question and answer one. It also like the situation in the court room where the defendant is listening to the verdict from the judge. This section does not follow this format and I note it is a conversation amongst those who fear the Lord. I am …show more content…
Here the plural "fathers" is used here. Why? Is it referring to human relationship? How does this image match with previous usage? The commentary raises similar question and provides possible answer that it is understood to mean intergeneration conflicts will be resolved. It refers to the corollary to the warnings about marriage in 2:10-16 and the interest in Malachi about faithful relationships within the family. I will propose that on the day of the lord, Elijah's work will ensure the conflicts within human families will be resolved and therefore the relationship with the God will be resolved as