The LORD’s Love for Israel
(Genesis 25:19–28; Romans 9:6–29)

1This is the burden (burden) of the word of the LORD {YHWH} to Israel (he wrestles with God) through Malachi (My messenger):a

2“I have loved you⁺,” says the LORD {YHWH}.

But you⁺ ask, “How have You loved us?”

“Was not Esau (hairy) Jacob’s (he grasps the heel) brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, 3but Esau (hairy) I have hated <Rom 9:13>,b and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals (to the serpents of the wilderness).c”

4Though Edom (red) may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever. 5You will see this with your⁺ own eyes, and you⁺ yourselves will say, ‘The LORD {YHWH} is great—even beyond the borders of Israel (he wrestles with God).’”

The Polluted Offerings

6“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts to you⁺ priests who despise My name.

“But you⁺ ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’

7By presenting defiled food on My altar.

But you⁺ ask, ‘How have we defiled You [defiled it]d?’

By saying that the table of the LORD {YHWH} is contemptible.

8When you⁺ offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you⁺ present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts.

9“But ask now for God’s favor. Will He be gracious? Since this has come from your⁺ hands, will He show you⁺ favor?” asks the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts.

10“Oh, that one of you⁺ would shut the temple doors, so that you⁺ would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar! I take no pleasure in you⁺,” says the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your⁺ hands.

11For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts. 12“But you⁺ profane it when you⁺ say, ‘The table of the Lord {Adonai} is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is contemptible.’

13You⁺ also say: ‘Oh, what a nuisance!’ And you⁺ turn up your⁺ nose at it,” says the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts.

“You⁺ bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your⁺ hands?” asks the LORD.

14“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord {Adonai}. For I am a great King,” says the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.