You have defied me in word, says the LORD,
yet you ask, "What have we spoken against you?"
You have said, "It is vain to serve God,
and what do we profit by keeping his command,
And going about in penitential dress
in awe of the LORD of hosts?
Malachi recognizes, and in that sense honors, the ancient, continual quarrel that we have with God. We -- that is, the faithful -- are challenged by the power and obnoxious presence of proud evildoers who tempt God with impunity. And we wonder why God doesn't do something about them.
We get tired of their lording it over others, and of their leaving to us the duties of caring for widows, orphans, and aliens. With their enormous wealth they are far more capable of taking up these burdens; they could do so without sacrifice. They could maintain their lifestyle of yachts and high society fashion and provide for billions of needy people, without lifting a finger! But they don't even notice the existence of poverty. They suppose the Earth has leapt forward to the 25th century of the Star Trek universe and there is no poverty.
But Malachi also has little patience for our grousing. For it only betrays our envy of the proud and our lack of appreciation for the banquet that God has placed before us. The truth is we enjoy the spectacle of exorbitant wealth; we take a dark pleasure in resentment. We admire their pomp and splendor even as we despise them. We think what we should do if we had the same opportunities.
God demands our attention; and fidelity is a continual awareness of God's presence, authority, and benevolence. It is gratitude for the companionship of martyrs, saints, and angels before the majesty of God. It is a readiness to do what is pleasing to God, and a satisfaction in works of charity.
Faith remembers the past and sees the future. we know that today's wicked are doomed like their ancestors. Our response should be neither envy nor resentment but concern. Our simple lifestyle, faithful witness, and reasonable protests warn them of their peril.
We take seriously Ezekiel's warning:
Son of man, I have appointed you a sentinel for the house of Israel.j When you hear a word from my mouth, you shall warn them for me. If I say to the wicked, You shall surely die—and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade the wicked from their evil conduct in order to save their lives—then they shall die for their sin, but I will hold you responsible for their blood. Ez 3:17-18
Having given the warning, we turn our attention back to the Lord, and are grateful for the opportunity.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.