Malachi 1:2-3

This is the message that the LORD gave to Israel through the prophet Malachi. "I have always loved you," says the LORD. But you retort, "Really? How have you loved us?" And the LORD replied, "This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob, but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country. I turned Esau's inheritance into a desert for jackals."

"I have always loved you," says the LORD.

Deuteronomy 4:37  "Because he loved your ancestors, he chose to bless their descendants, and he personally brought you out of Egypt with a great display of power. (see verses 32-40)

Deuteronomy 7:8  "Rather, it was simply that the LORD loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the LORD rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt." (see verses 1-11)

But you retort, "Really? How have you loved us?" And the LORD replied, "This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob," 

Isaiah 41:8-10  "But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, 'You are my servant.' For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." (see all chapter 41)

Isaiah 44:1  "But now, listen to me Jacob, my servant, Israel my chosen one." (see verses 1-5)

Jeremiah 46:27  "But do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. For I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children will return from their exile. Israel will return to a life of peace and quiet, and no one will terrorize them." (see verses 27-28)

"but I rejected his brother, Esau," 

Romans 9:13  In the words of the Scriptures, "I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau." (see verses 6-16, also Genesis 25:29-34, 27:18-29)

"and devastated his hill country." 

Isaiah 34:10  This judgment on Edom will never end; the smoke of its burning will rise forever. The land will lie deserted from generation to generation. No one will live there anymore. (see verses 5-10)

"I turned Esau's inheritance into a desert for jackals." 

Isaiah 34:13  Thorns will overrun its palaces; nettles and thistles will grow in its forts. The ruins will become a haunt for jackals and a home for owls. (see verses 11-17)

 

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.