How do you know God loves you?

In Malachi 1:1-5, God's people ask a heartbreaking question: "In what way have You loved us?" Dr. Toby Holt opens the book of Malachi and God's surprising answer.

The people had drifted from God and doubted His love. God answers not by pointing to the Exodus, but to two brothers: "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." God set His saving love on Jacob before the twins were born — unearned, based on His own choice. He proves it in history: Jacob's line was restored, Esau's nation wiped away.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did the people doubt God's love? They had wandered from Him and measured His love by their circumstances. When life was hard, they assumed God had stopped loving them.

2. What did God mean by "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated"? He had set His saving, covenant love on Jacob by His own choice, before the brothers were born — shaping the history of their two nations.

3. What does this teach about God's love for His people? That it is unearned and rooted in God's grace, not our performance. Because He chose to love His people, His love does not fail even when they stray.

"'I have loved you,' says the LORD… 'Yet Jacob I have loved; but Esau I have hated.'" — Malachi 1:2-3 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

What does Malachi 1:6-2:9 teach us in Partiality in the Pulpit?

In this sermon on Malachi 1:6-2:9, Dr. Toby Holt of New Geneva Theological Seminary teaches that God condemns the priests of Malachi's day for showing partiality in the law—lowering the standard of worship, corrupting the covenant of Levi, and preaching only the parts of Scripture people wanted to hear. Because ministers who lead God's people into iniquity face a stricter judgment, Holt argues that faithful pastors must keep the whole counsel of God on their lips, and the congregation must seek the law from the minister's mouth, refusing to divide either God's Word or God's people by preference.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What is the main issue in this passage? In this sermon on Malachi 1:6-2:9, Dr.

2. How does this text point us to Christ? It shows the need for God's grace and the hope fulfilled in the gospel.

3. How should Christians respond? With faith, repentance, and renewed trust in the Lord's Word.

"And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart." - Malachi 2:1-2 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Why does God say He hates divorce?

In Malachi 2:10-16, God confronts His people for breaking faith in their marriages. Dr. Toby Holt explains why marriage matters so deeply to God — and what He means when He says He hates divorce. God charges His people with "treachery" — unfaithful both in marrying those who worshiped false gods and in betraying "the wife of your youth." Marriage is a covenant God designed, picturing Christ's faithful love for His church. That is why breaking it grieves God so deeply. Yet the chapter ends in hope: Christ loves His people with a faithfulness that never fails.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why does God take marriage so seriously? Because marriage is a covenant He designed, and it pictures Christ's faithful love for His church. Breaking it is no small thing to God.

2. What does it mean that God "hates divorce"? He hates the betrayal and broken faith that tear apart what He joined together. He grieves the harm done to families.

3. Is there hope for those affected by broken marriages? Yes. The chapter points to Christ, whose faithful love never fails, and who offers forgiveness and healing to all who turn to Him. "'For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce…' Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously." — Malachi 2:16 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.