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?” In this study, 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 or the Red Sea, but to two brothers: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Dr. Holt explains that God set His saving love on Jacob before the twins were even born — love that is unearned and based on God’s own choice. He proves it in history: Jacob’s line was restored, while Esau’s nation was wiped away. God’s love for His people is not something they earned, and it does not fail even when they wander.

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 meant He had set His saving, covenant love on Jacob by His own choice, before the brothers were born — and that this shaped 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 you say, “In what way have You loved us?” … Yet Jacob I have loved; but Esau I have hated.’” — Malachi 1:2-3 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Malachi Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

What happens when preachers play favorites?

In Malachi 2:1-9, God rebukes the priests for “showing partiality” — for twisting His Word and favoring some people over others. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains what God expects of those who teach His Word.

The priests had kept the outward show of religion but abandoned their real calling. God points back to Levi, the model priest who feared God and spoke the truth, turning many from sin. The current priests did the opposite — lowering the standard and applying Scripture unevenly. Dr. Holt warns against preaching only the popular, comfortable parts of the Bible. He compares it to a medicine with its key ingredient removed: it may look the same, but it cannot heal.

Questions this study answers:

1. What does it mean to “show partiality in the law”? It means teaching only the convenient parts of God’s Word or favoring certain people. The priests bent God’s truth to please others.

2. What is the right standard for those who teach? Like Levi, they should fear God, speak the truth, and turn people from sin. A faithful teacher gives people God’s whole Word, not just the easy parts.

3. Why does watering down the message matter? Because a gospel stripped of its hard truths cannot save, just as a medicine without its key ingredient cannot cure. People need the real thing.

“Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base before all the people, because you have not kept My ways but have shown partiality in the law.” — Malachi 2:9 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Malachi Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit 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. In this study, 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” — being unfaithful both by marrying those who worshiped false gods and by betraying “the wife of your youth.” Dr. Holt explains that marriage is a covenant God Himself designed, and that it pictures Christ’s faithful love for His church. That is why breaking it grieves God so deeply, and why He refuses the worship of those who betray their spouses. 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”? It means He hates the betrayal and broken faith that tear apart what He joined together. He grieves the harm done to husbands, wives, and 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, for it covers one’s garment with violence,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.’” — Malachi 2:16 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Malachi Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.