Concerning "Jacob I loved, Esau I hated" (Rom 9:13, Mal 1:3)

This is a literal statment about leaving Esau's inheritance (the nation
of Edom) in total ruin.  While some of the language is apocalyptic as
ususal, the fulfillment happened between the time of Ezekiel/Jeremiah
(500s BC) and the Time of Malachi (400s BC).   Here's what happened:

O.T. Edom was the land/people of Esau (Idumea) -- see Gen 32:3.  Edom
was among many countries that partook in evil against Israel during
Jehovah's judgment via the Babylonians in the 500s BC.  Therefore God's
wrath was afterwards brought against those nations who did evil to
Israel, and Jeremiah gives a list of the nations who were in BIG TROUBLE
(see: Jeremiah 25:12-21 -- verse 21 mentions Edom as among those to be
destroyed).  Jeremiah, who lived during the 500s (at the time when
Israel was being violated) foretells of Edom's impending doom in
Jeremiah 49:7-18.  Ezekiel, also alive at that time, agrees with
Jeremiah about Edom's sin against Israel during the 500s and also tells
of WHY Edom would be destroyed (Ez 25:12-14).  The doom was about to
then occur. Now, having set the stage, read the one-chapter book of
Obadiah which is ENTIRELY devoted to Edom's plunder for its sins against
Jacob (Israel) during the 500s BC.

Good study bibles have many notes in Obediah about how Edom was
destroyed in between the ministry years of Ezekiel/Jeremiah and Malachi
who came about 100 years after those two prophets.  That's why, at the
time MALACHI is writing chapter 1:3-4, the destruction to Edom has now
occurred and many are wanting to try and restore the country but Malachi
says: "They shall rebuild but I (Jehovah) will throw down." (Mal 1:3-4).

So, when we read about God's hatred of Esau, we understand the entirety
of  the history that Esau and his whole lineage/nation had its
inheritance (lasting continuity as a people/nation) totally wiped out by
Jehovah in REAL HISTORY.  In contrast, Jacob (Israel) has never died out
as the People of God and are now forever enshrined and preserved in the
eternal Nation of the Messiah.