The Lord states “I have loved you.” But the people don’t believe it. After all, their country was taken away from them, they were living under the rule of the Persians, a shell of the great people they once were. To that God responds with the example of Edom. The nation of Edom was the descendents of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (their forefather.) Jacob’s descendents were God’s chosen people, Esau’s were not. Edom was destroyed and never regained any kind of national identity again. But even though the people of Israel were taken off into captivity, a remnant returned. They would not be destroyed, God continued to show love to them.
Sometimes we are like Israel. We doubt God’s love for us when things don’t go the way we think they should, whether with our job, family, or relationships. We forget God showed His love for us in this, that while we were still sinners, His Son died for us. What an amazing love to give His Son for us! How could we ever doubt his love!