2. 1)The legacy of standing strong through storms because of our confidence in God’s goodness, care, and love. 2)The legacy of respect for earthly and heavenly authority.

3. An oracle: The Word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi. “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you ask, “How have you loved us?” Malachi 1:1-2

4. An oracle: The Word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi. “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you ask, “How have you loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” the LORD says. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.” But this is what the LORD Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish…. Malachi 1:1-5

5. The Main Characters in Genesis Adam/Eve (and their kids/grandkids) Noah and the flood Abraham (and God’s promise) Ishmael and Isaac Isaac’s twin sons: Jacob and Esau Jacob’s 12 sons (12 tribes of Israel)

6. An oracle: The Word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi. “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you ask, “How have you loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” the LORD says. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.” But this is what the LORD Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish…. Malachi 1:1-5

7. If we choose to believe in God’s unending goodness, care and love, we will find strength to get through the storms well. “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”Lamentations 3:19-23

8. Legacy #2: The legacy of respect for both earthly authority and heavenly authority. “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due Me? says the LORD Almighty. “It is you, O priests, who show contempt for My Name.” Malachi 1:6

9. Legacy #2: The legacy of respect for both earthly authority and heavenly authority. A principle: People who respect and submit to human authority are more likely to respect and submit to heavenly authority.

10. I choose to live – so I can leave – a legacy of: 1)strong belief in God’s love, strength, goodness, and faithfulness – which will give me great strength to stand through storms. 2)respect for earthly and heavenly authority.