The people have returned from exile for sometime now. Some rebuilding has been completed, including the temple, but the hearts of the people have not really returned to God. In this prophecy God addresses the hearts of the people, the attitudes that they have and that they need to correct.
As mentioned in the introduction, Malachi means "my messenger", or even "my angel" (angel means messenger).
The first prophecy makes Israel aware that God is God of all the world. "Great is the Lord - even beyond the borders of Israel". Israel was surrounded by various nations, most of them hostile (nothing changes). We too can think like this, we do so whenever we think "God is Lord, but He cannot deal with this problem that I am facing". We might not phrase like it that, but that is often what we think.
The people doubted that God loved them. So what does God use as an example of His love? The judgement upon Edom. Edom grew out of Esau. God made a choice, He chose to bless Jacob (ie Israel) but Esau came under judgement. Edom was apparently making loud claims to be rebuilding her ruins. God declares that she would not succeed. Israel would see the judgement upon Edom (and where is Edom today?).
God has chosen one people and not another.
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