Observation by Kol Hator:
The Haftarah sheds Light on the deadlock impression that many of us would have experienced in contemplating on Parashat Toldot which deals with the Family strife that the Patriarchs of Israel experienced – that is between Isaac and Ishmael and between Jacob and Esau.
The Haftarah from Malachi seems to be totally unrelated to the Parashah until one realizes that it has all to do with this Family Strife – and articulates a great reprimand to both sides, Judah (Jews) and the re-awakening Torah restoring Lost House of 10-Israel. More importantly today than ever before, for this Time as we are closing in on the Times of Final Redemption. Bear in mind that Malachi wrote this before the destruction of the 2nd. Temple. It was in fact a warning of such disaster pending – and it may well be a Prophecy for Judah today, in the wake of the Return from exile and awaiting the Final Redemption when G-d will intervene and establish His Universal Rule from Jerusalem in Israel. In that case, HaShem’s Claim in this Haftarah that He honours the respect paid by the Nations to Him in their ignorance as more worthy than that of Judah, may well apply in these Times.
Whatever quality these other nations ascribe to and expect from their idols, can only be fulfilled by HaShem, the Creator, for there exists no other God. In this way, they ignorantly do acknowledge Him.
When we apply it to the situation today: The Family Strife remains between Arabs and Jews and even more so between the House of Jacob (12 Tribes) – i.e. between Judah and the Lost House of 10-Israel. These 10 Tribers who have totally lost their Israel identity in the 2700 year exile since their rejection by G-d after the Kingdom of Israel had split under the reign of Solomon, are believed to be those non-Jews worldwide today (majorly followers of the New Testament Messiah) who are turning to Torah observance and exiting the Church in droves. They likewise qualify for Malachi’s verse 11 regard by HaShem. While having exalted their Messiah even above HaShem, they still in their ignorance claim all the Promises that HaShem made, what He would do. The Rabbis see that Peace will come between Arabs and Israel at the Redemption. We have recently witnessed the sudden achievement of Peace between Israel and several Arab countries. Likewise, but totally out of sight and mind for the Rabbis and Jews, Peaceful Reconciliation has to come between re-identifying 10-Israelites and Jews (House of Judah, 2 Tribes) in order to bring about the full restoration of Jerusalem and the Land. Judah’s treatment of these returnee 10 Tribers (‘Ephraimites’) today is to offer them “Seven Noahide Laws” only, thereby keeping them OUT of the Covenant that their forefathers entered into with HaShem at Sinai. This, surely, cannot be lightly esteemed by HaShem. The serious Divine reprimands of Malachi, therefore, has to be considered in this serious Light.
Hence the Link of this Haftarah with Parashat Toldot.