I am happy to make some comments on Malachi today for two reasons: First, Malachi has some profound things to say, and secondly, today marks the end of the Old Testament Reading. Hooray! We are heading into the New Testament tomorrow!
Malachi is really worthy of a much deeper Bible Study, because it asks contemporary questions that could influence the way we live today. As I read it, it’s hard to believe it was written around 400 B.C. We have already read Nehemiah, but most people believe that Malachi was written sometime after Haggai, and before Nehemiah came to finish the wall. So, think back a couple of days ago in our reading to when the Jewish people had given up on building the temple and surrounding area, and had gradually become like the people around them. (this is the first time they became like the surrounding community, not the second time which occurred when Nehemiah went back to Babylon for a while).
Worship has become more of a ritual without much meaning or impact on everyday life for the Jews. But they aren’t really aware of it, it seems. I say that because every time God asks them a question He also provides their probable response, which is generally denial.
For instance God says “You are cheating me”. The people say “How are we cheating you?” Now, you can read that two ways: if the person falls on their face and tears their clothes and says “how are we cheating you?” that would be a repentant tone. But in this case I think the people are standing with their arms crossed, and rolling their eyes. They don’t believe they are doing anything wrong. Actually, I think they have become so distant in their relationship that they genuinely don’t realize how corrupt they have become.
And the fact that we can become that deceived scares me to death.
The people doubt God’s love, deny His power, defiled the sacrifices, dishonored God’s name, and cheated the Lord….and that’s just in the first chapter. If I worry about anything in my spiritual life, it’s that I will believe myself to be righteous and in good standing with God, but in reality my faith and practice will be weak and ineffective. How can the Christian know for certain that they are doing exactly what God wants them to do? How can we know for certain that when Christ returns we won’t be grouped with the people who thought they were doing good, but were actually lost in sin?
This requires some soul searching, and there are some “data points” that might help as well. For instance: If I am failing to offer my tithe, that could be a fairly good indication that my heart isn’t right. If I am offering my tithe and grumbling about it to myself…that’s an indication as well.
If I am failing to give credit to God for all the good that happens to me, or if I take credit for myself….that’s an indication my heart isn’t right. If I am failing to give my best effort to the Lord, then that might be an indication.
I’m going to stop there, because I am “preaching myself under conviction”. I always think I could be doing better, or doing “more”, so talking like this generally makes me feel guilty. It also makes me wonder just how interested God is in my productivity. I mean, I know God wants me to bring a good return on His investment…but does He want me to work all the time? Is it okay that I spend several hours or several weeks doing nothing of any real value? And….how much of what we do has any real heavenly value anyway? If I am always busy fixing up a house, or mowing grass or picking up clutter….is that of any value to God? These days I am beginning to think that God isn’t nearly as narrow minded about what we do with our time as we make Him out to be. I am beginning to think that God is more interested in how we treat each other, and how we interact with Him. The rest is of little value.
Malachi hints at that in 2:5 and 9. The priests were to pass on instruction, live a righteous life and not lie or cheat. In verse 9 they weren’t supposed to show any favoritism. These are pretty basic things, aren’t they? The people are guilty of saying that the Lord’s rules are “too hard to follow” but actually the opposite is true. When you look at what God requires objectively, His “yoke is easy and his burden is light” (Matthew 11)
Remember, these folks had returned from exile and were rebuilding. They had been forgiven much! They had professed to have “learned their lesson” and were intent on doing things correctly from now on. How interesting that they should be this far out of touch so soon after their exile.
I would attribute it to a failure to immerse themselves in God’s Word every day. They had forgotten the commands and neglected the relationship which in turn permitted “drift”.
“Lord, keep me from making the same error. Guide me through the Holy Spirit into a deeper, more personal relationship with You, so that when my life is one day required of me, and I stand before You I will have no reason to be afraid or dismayed.”
Faithfully,
PR