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.

Where is God when evil goes unpunished?

In Malachi 2:17 through 3:7, God's people accuse Him of ignoring evil. Dr. Toby Holt faces an honest question: where is the God of justice when the wicked seem to win?

The people had grown cynical, even claiming God delights in evildoers. God answers with a promise: He will send His messenger to prepare the way, and the Lord will "suddenly come to His temple." The question is not whether God's justice will come, but when. Like a refiner's fire, God purifies His people, and at the cross the judgment our sins deserved fell on Christ.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did the people think God ignored evil? Because the wicked seemed to prosper while the faithful suffered. They mistook God's patience for indifference.

2. What was God's answer? That He would surely come — first through His messenger, then in person. His justice is certain, even when it seems delayed.

3. How does the cross relate to God's justice? At the cross, the judgment our sins deserved fell on Christ instead. God's justice was fully satisfied there for all who trust in Him. "Behold, I send My messenger… And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple…" — Malachi 3:1 (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 3:7-12 teach us in Tithes and Robbery?

In this sermon on Malachi 3:7-12, Dr. Toby Holt of New Geneva Theological Seminary teaches that withholding our tithes and offerings from God is nothing less than robbery, because everything we possess already belongs to Him. From the manna in the wilderness to the widow's mite, he shows that biblical stewardship is measured not by what we hoard but by what we pour out for the kingdom, and that the New Testament raises the standard of giving even higher than the Old. God invites His people to test Him in this, promising to open the windows of heaven upon those who trust Him with their best.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What is the main issue in this passage? In this sermon on Malachi 3:7-12, 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.

"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation." - Malachi 3:8-9 (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.

Is serving God really worth it?

In Malachi 3:13-18, God's people grumble that serving Him is useless — they see no payoff. Dr. Toby Holt answers a question every believer feels at some point: is faithfulness worth it? The people complained that the proud and wicked seemed to prosper while the godly gained nothing. Our circumstances are not the measure of God's love. God keeps a "book of remembrance" of those who fear Him, and calls them His treasured possession — His "jewels." One day the difference between those who serve God and those who do not will be plain.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did the people think serving God was useless? Because they measured God's love by their circumstances, and the wicked seemed to prosper. They mistook outward comfort for God's favor.

2. How does God see His faithful people? He calls them His "jewels" — His treasured possession — and records them in a book of remembrance. They are precious to Him even when overlooked.

3. Will the difference between the godly and the wicked ever be clear? Yes. Though often hidden now, God promises a day when all will see the difference between those who serve Him and those who do not. "'They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of hosts, 'On the day that I make them My jewels…'" — Malachi 3:17 (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.

How does the Old Testament end? In Malachi 4:1-6, we reach the very last words of the Old Testament — and then God falls silent for some 400 years. Dr. Toby Holt shows how the Old Testament closes with both warning and hope. Malachi describes a coming day of judgment that will burn up the proud like stubble, but for those who fear God's name, "the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings." This points ahead to Jesus Christ — His first coming and His return. God also promises to send "Elijah," whom Jesus identifies as John the Baptist. After Malachi, heaven goes quiet until God speaks again through His Son.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did God go silent for about 400 years after Malachi? Because He had said all that was needed until the coming of His Son. The long silence was the hush before God's greatest act in Christ.

2. Who is the "Sun of Righteousness"? It is a picture of Jesus Christ, who rises with healing for His people. Malachi's final hope points directly to the Savior.

3. Why did God promise to send "Elijah"? Jesus explained that this pointed to John the Baptist, who came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for the Lord.

"But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings." — Malachi 4:2 (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.