The lesson of Malachi reveals God’s love for his people. When the people ask for proof of God’s love, he reminds them of their election.
The Jews had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. They had listened to God’s prophets, Haggai and Zechariah. They rebuilt God’s temple. And then nothing happened. No Messiah. No great divine war against Israel’s enemies. No worldwide kingdom of God. None of the good things Haggai and Zechariah said would happen, happened.