Introduction: Sermon series: Fresh Faith - We can become apathetic in our faith. But it starts with a grasp of God’s Love. Have you ever wondered, “God do you really love me?”

Questioning God’s Love.

Outline the Book of Malachi - Showing the Discourse between God and his people.

Section one is God claiming the love them, but they question it.

Why might they be questioning God’s love?

The people of God have returned from exile in the land of Babylon. However, the conditions are not favorable for them. Only a small portion of the nation has returned, and those now languish amidst poverty, famine, and continuing threats from neighboring nations (George A. Buttrick, “Malachi,” in The Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, vol. 6, ed. Nolan B. Harmon [Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1956], 1118). In the midst of their frustrations they have begun to question God’s goodness, his love, and his ability to keep his promises toward them (v. 2).

Tragedy and unmet expectations often cause us to question God’s intentions and promises toward us. Does he still care? Is he still capable of accomplishing what he promised? Why is he taking so long?

God’s response is at best weird if not a bit disturbing to us.

God Loves Us.

God’s response is I love you and here is proof, I hate the Edomites. What in the world?

This is Covenant Language, It is not emotional language. It is like Marriage language.

Cindy’s two marriage proposals.

God is saying, I have married you, not them. I have forsaken all others

Marriage Vows.

The minister addresses the bride:

N (Christian name), do you take N____________ to be your husband?

The bride says:

I do.

Will you love him, comfort him, honor and protect him,

and forsaking all others, be faithful to him

as long as you both shall live?

The bride says:

I will.

Or

The minister addresses the groom:

N (Christian name), will you receive N___________ as your wife and bind

yourself to her in the covenant of marriage?

Will you promise to love and honor her in true devotion,

to rejoice with her in times of gladness,

to grieve with her in times of sorrow,

and to be faithful to her

as long as you both shall live?

History of the Edomites, and what happened to them? - After the loss of the kingdom, the Edomites were pushed westward towards southern Judah by nomadic tribes coming from the east; among them were the Nabataeans, who first appeared in the historical annals of the 4th century BC and already established their own kingdom in what used to be Edom, by the first half of the 2nd century BC.[3] More recent excavations show that the process of Edomite settlement in the southern parts of the Kingdom of Judah and parts of the Negev down to Timna had started already before the destruction of the kingdom by Nebuchadnezzar II in 587/86 BC, both by peaceful penetration and by military means and taking advantage of the already-weakened state of Judah.[4][5]

Once pushed out of their territory, the Edomites settled during the Persian period in an area comprising the southern hills of Judea down to the area north of Be'er Sheva.[6] The people appear under a Greek form of their old name, as Idumeans or Idumaeans, and their new territory was called Idumea or Idumaea (Greek: Ἰδουμαία, Idoumaía; Latin: Idūmaea), a term that was used in New Testament times.

It is believed that in 125 BC after they were conquered by the Maccabees during the Maccabean revolt against the greeks they were forcibly converted to Judaism. King Herod and his descendants are believed to be mixed Edomite/Jewish descent from Idumea. They ultimately got swallowed up by the Covenant People.

What we learn from Edom - God has not made a covenant with them specifically as a people.

God’s faithfulness to Israel - They divorced God, but he brought them back, and he worked things out to rebuild.

Edom - They are on their own, and they rebuild out of their own defiance, and it ultimately does not last.

Israel is the only people group who has survived Babylonian Exile.

As a People - Eternal Security because of God’s covenant. (not individuals, Remnant)

The point is assurance of God’s Covenantal Love even in the midst of the trials they have gone through.

Covenant With the Community of Israel.

Paul uses this passage in Romans 9 to help the Church grasp how God’s Grace and Covenantal Love and his Election of the Church brings the same assurance.

Covenant Continuity from Israel to Church Chart (Not Replacement Theology).

Am I in God’s Covenant love? Do you put your faith in Jesus? The Holy Spirit is testifying to you the assurance of his love?

Are you fearful that you may not want to be, and you have doubts? This is a sign that your heart wants to be in God’s covenant people - This is a sign that you are, because our God has promised not to snuff out a smoldering wick.

Even in our questioning and doubt of God’s love, If you believe in Jesus, God is saying...

I am committed to you through thick and thin

I am giving you my unmerited favor even in your doubts and questioning

You can be assured that I Love you.

See how this assurance makes a difference.

This story illustrates the trust that God’s people should have as he skillfully leads them through difficult times. It’s the account of a little girl who is seemingly unaffected by turbulence on a plane ride:

Man on a flight: Voice over the intercom “Fasten your seatbelts, no beverage service.”

Tremendous turbulance, Thunder,

He could see All the Passengers were alarmed, some praying

Noticed a little girl, reading a book, no worry, completely calm. Sometimes close her eyes.

Why are you not afraid? “Sir, my dad is the Pilot and he is taking me home. https://www.wattpad.com/50583457-collection-of-inspirational-stories-trust

Conclusion: Do you have that assurance? Do you want that assurance?

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis. Heidelberg Chatechism: Q&A 1, 54, 79, 86, 129 Belgic Confession: Articles 16-17 Canons of Dort: Head I, Articles 6-18; Head II, Articles 8-9; Heads III & IV 6, 10-16; Head V, Articles 9-13