The 7 Questions in Malachi (Part 1)
In the book of Malachi, God’s people ask Him seven questions that show their doubting and sinful hearts and nature. In this first post, we’ll examine the first 4 questions.
Before diving into those various questions, let’s look at a brief history of the book of Malachi.
The name Malachi means messenger. This shows the author’s role as a prophet delivering God’s message to His people. The book of Malachi is the last book of the OT. There is a period of 400 years between Malachi and the NT. This is the last message to God’s people before the Gospel story begins and the next prophet comes into the picture, John the Baptist.
There are 3 main themes in Malachi
To remind the Israelites of all that God had done because of His love for them
To remind the Israelites that God is just and will hold them accountable for all the evil that they have done against Him
To remind the Israelites that God will honor those faithful to Him
[1] In what way have You loved us?
Malachi 1:2,3 - “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the Lord. “Yet Jacob I have loved; But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.”
God chose the descendants of Jacob, the Israelites, over the descendants of Esau, the Edomites. God showed the Israelites time and again how they were His chosen and favored people, yet they still doubted Him.
Both the Israelites and the Edomites were conquered by the Babylonian Empire, but God only restored Israel. Edom was not restored. God promised that Edom would be permanently ruined and destroyed.
The Israelites knew that they were God’s elect, but they still asked this question of God. They were doubting God and His favor towards them even though it had been made clear many times.
What can we learn from this? We are God’s elect! We should not doubt His love for us. God sent His only Begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins and to provide us with eternal life. That shows His unfailing love and mercy towards us.
[2] In what way have we despised Your name?
Malachi 1:6 - “A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’
In this verse, we see that God is calling out the priests for despising His name. The priests are at the forefront of worship for Israel. They are the ones who should be the most devoted to God, but they were backsliding in that regard.
The priests were performing their duties as part of a routine or ritual instead of the devotion required of an awesome God. They were performing all the activities that God required, but with an internal disrespect of God. God is all-knowing. He knew what was going on inside their hearts, even though their actions showed otherwise.
The priests had regressed so far in their disrespect and scorn to God, that they didn’t even realize that they were despising His name. Even when God calls them out on their behavior, they respond with doubt. They were convinced that their activities were enough even without true devotion of the heart.
How does this apply to us? The Bible tells us that ‘to obey is better than sacrifice’. The actions that we perform for God should not become a habit or a ritual. We must understand why we are doing what we’re doing and have a heart leaning towards God.
[3] In what way have we defiled You?
Malachi 1:7,8 - “You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’ And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts.
This question is related to the last one. In addition to despising God’s name, the priests were defiling God in regard to their sacrifices. They offered defiled sacrifices to God, that they would not even offer as tribute or taxes to the government.
The priests also called the table of the Lord contemptible. They were not grateful for the ministry that they were charged with. They complained about the burden of ministry and the troubles that they had for being a priest in God’s service.
The priests had full knowledge of the rules regarding sacrifices. It is clearly spelled out by God in the Old Testament (Leviticus 22:20-23 & Deuteronomy 15:21). Blemished animals are prohibited to be used as sacrifices, yet the priests did it anyway.
How does this apply to us? If God has entrusted us with a ministry, we should not complain about its burden or the trials that we face through it. God knows how much we can handle and prepares us accordingly. Also, we should be offering our best to God, not whatever is leftover.
[4] In what way have we wearied Him?
Malachi 2:17 - You have wearied the Lord with your words; Yet you say, “In what way have we wearied Him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil Is good in the sight of the Lord, And He delights in them,” Or, “Where is the God of justice?”
The Israelites were accusing God of perverting justice when He is justice. They knew that God does not tolerate sin in any form because He is perfect. Yet, they called His nature into question.
They were feeling discouraged because it seemed like the wicked around them were prospering more than the righteous. Because of this, they resorted to doubt, unbelief, and grumbling toward God. They forgot that God is sometimes slow to anger and that He may sometimes delay judgment.
The Israelites were known for complaining against God to the point of wearing or frustrating Him. They knew that God judges all sin, so they should not have resorted to doubting Him.
What can we learn from this? Isaiah 55:8-9 says “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. We will never know God’s plans or methods. Just because God delays judgment for the wicked does not give us the right to question His actions or His justice.
Check out the next post for the rest of the questions posed in Malachi.
