Malachi 1:2

I have loved you I have loved you with an everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3) and unchangeable (Romans 11:29) love. This is the keynote of all that follows. On this rests Jehovah's claim to the filial honour and reverential fear which had been withheld from Him (Malachi 1:6); on this the patient forbearance of the present (Malachi 3:6), and the bright promise of the future (Malachi 4:2). This is the light that casts the dark shadow of the people's ingratitude across the prophet's page, and that shines through and beyond the darkness, unquenched and unquenchable.

Wherein These short pointed questions are a characteristic of Malachi's style, and lend great force to it. See Introd. p. 11.

I loved Jacob The proof of this is contained in the implied contrast which follows, Comp. Genesis 25:23; Romans 9:10-13.