A burden of love

Malachi had a tough message for a tough crowd, and yet the first expression of the prophet's burden is love.

Here is love declared, the covenant love of a faithful God.

Here is love denied, the resentment, entitlement and suspicion of a people who have no sense of God's love.

Here also is love demonstrated, the sovereign determination of God to set his love upon Jacob, with the expression of his hatred toward Esau, and the display of his glory to Israel.