I recently read the book of Malachi. It is the last book of the Old Testament, and very short–only four chapters long. It was written almost 100 years after the Israelites had returned from the Babylonian captivity. Although they had rebuilt the temple by this point, God’s people were once again feeling discouraged and distant from God’s love. They were still waiting on the amazing prophecies from Haggai and Zechariah to be fulfilled. Their impatience towards God was affecting their relationship with Him.

Malachi 1:2 states, “‘I have loved you,’ says the Lord. But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’”.

It is incredible to think that by this point in the Old Testament, the Israelites could ever question God’s love for them, after all of the promises fulfilled, the miracles performed, and the people delivered from captivity.

But God’s people were not holding up their part of God’s covenant with them. Their lack of faith in God resulted in them not giving their best towards Him. Malachi discusses multiple examples of this, such as in their sacrifices and tithes to God.

The priests were defiling the altar by giving unworthy sacrifices. Chapter 1:8 states, “When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong?” Similarly in Chapter 3, God describes their lack of abundant tithing as robbing Him, because they were not giving the whole tithe to God.

In short, the people were only wanting the blessings of God, without giving God their best in all areas of their lives. They wanted to see promises fulfilled, but didn’t want to truly put God first in how they actually lived day to day. This left them feeling distant and separated from God’s love.

I think these same temptations are here today. Are we giving God our best, or simply our leftovers? Are we truly wanting to serve God in all areas of our lives, or are we just wanting to reap God’s rewards? The good news about the book of Malachi (and really the whole Bible) is that God is so patient and forgiving, again and again. Even though His people have once again turned away from Him, God still offers them love and redemption, if they would turn back to Him.

In Chapter 3:6-7, God reminds his people that “I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you”.

Thank the Lord that we serve such a loving, unchanging, patient God! If we find ourselves like the Israelites, feeling distant from God, out of relationship with Him, and not giving Him our best, God still beckons us to repent and return to Him!

Spencer Boren

Elder