Malachi: The People Who Neglected God

Neglect God, Love The World

Malachi speaks very strongly concerning Messiah coming – his prophecies relate to both comings of Jesus. In chapter 4, he begins with “The great day of the Lord”, using imagery such as “burning like an oven, the wicked will be stubble, burn them up (there’s a Jamaican way of saying this one that’s stronger), leave them neither root nor branch, trample the wicked, ashes under the soles of your feet, strike the earth with a curse”. I am assuming the people knew he was prophesying, but these were harsh words. Yet to the people of God, these were comforting words to hear about their oppressors. How easy it is to wish destruction upon your enemies or your oppressor.

 In our blessed country of America, and for most developing nations, we no longer have “oppressive leaders keeping us down” as they would say, but this was their world. Granted, the Persians were fairly amicable to them. It was Persian King Cyrus that ordered their release from captivity to return to Jerusalem. Yet, they were experiencing hard economic times in the country. Why ? Neglect of God. The excitement to build, to experience “home” had worn off. King Cyrus ordered their release in 538 BC.  There was much to consider. Malachi’s contemporary asked them years earlier “Consider your ways!” (Haggai 1:5). Things were in such a spiritual decline that the lifestyle of the wicked was one to be envied by the people of God. They were “calling the proud blessed and elevating the wicked” (3:15). Isn’t that what we as a nation are doing now? We look at the lifestyle of the rich and famous, the celebrities, and the ungodly and emulate them. Think about it…Is it not commonplace for the world to tell us how to dress, what to eat, what to buy, where to go to school, who to marry, who to love, how many kids to have (or not), how to worship (or not)? How about this one – “God is dead, so do as you please. You, my friend, are king of your own domain”!