Will A Man Rob God?

By Sonja H. Winburn

Malachi was one of God’s chosen instruments to confront His returned remnant. Malachi likely wrote the prophetic book after the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. Though Nehemiah had been governor and progress had been made, the renewal that followed his good efforts has been largely diminished.  The people had just as much trouble rebuilding their hearts as they did the city itself!

God reminds them that after the nation of Israel left Egypt, He set them apart from all other nations to bring Christ through the lineage of Abraham. Choosing Jacob, the younger twin, over Esau should have helped these people appreciate that they were miraculously chosen and loved. God intended Israel to be the pipeline through which He purposed to bring Christ into the world. But they viewed God’s purpose differently and tended to elevate themselves over the other nations.

God provides for these sons of Jacob. He teaches them and disciplines them like a father does a beloved son. But by this time in history, Israel has repeatedly dismissed His show of love. He led them out of Egypt, gave them the Law to help them understand how to be Holy, was with them as they fought their enemies, and even sent them into captivity to help them realize His love and blessings.

However, as depicted in Malachi, the returned nation has become totally belligerent in its interaction with God. In former times, they would typically return penitent and grateful for deliverance when chastised, but they now show no respect or appreciation for what God has done. They offer defiled and disregarded animals for their sacrifices, and the priests accept them. Interestingly, they want to see themselves as faithful, so they still offer these unauthorized sacrifices in the temple. 

These people do not give God their best. He does not receive their first fruits but rather that which they are glad to discard. They offer to God the blind, sick, and lame as sacrifices, not what He has asked for and desires. God points out that government officials would not even accept what they offer!

They no longer respect the Lord as God Almighty. They are convinced they can care for themselves and have elevated their view of their abilities over those of God. They have ceased to listen to His direction.

Instead of blushing and realizing their guilt, as in earlier times, they are now mocking God. Their fall as a nation shows in their attitude of heart, and with this heart, they now have little or no hope of recovery, not as a nation at least. Individual people will return, but the nation will never be the same again.

God indicates that Elijah will come and turn the hearts of the people back to God. Of course, this is John the Baptist as the forerunner to Christ 400 years in the future. He will introduce Jesus as the Lamb of God to the world.

Within all this dialog, one indictment is in the form of a question. Will a man rob God? God indicates they have robbed him of the respect and appreciation that His loving kindness deserves. But they say, in what way have we robbed God? They do not take responsibility for their bad attitude or improper actions and respond more like a petulant child might.

God lets them know He will remain faithful despite their disobedience. He will keep His promise to bring salvation for all who repent. And the Messiah will still come through them. Though few in the Israelite nation are likely to listen at this point, He explains how all nations now and those to come will still have hope because He is faithful, and His plan is still in place. They will not ultimately be able to rob Him. These later generations will glorify God.

God speaks through Malachi as the Lord of all the armies of heaven and earth, the Lord of Hosts. He tells them that no matter their attitudes of indignation, all nations will glorify and magnify the name of the Lord. Their wickedness will not thwart any promises God has made. No purpose of His will fail.

So now, the question we need to ask is, do we attempt to rob God in the same way that these people were guilty of doing? Can we be belligerent in our response to God and His discipline? Do we show a complete lack of appreciation for God’s blessings in any way? Do we complain about what we don’t have or fail to appreciate what we do have? Do we blush and repent when we realize we are wrong about something? Do we offer God our very best or the leftovers? 

Let’s face it—we all do some of these things on some level. But remember, God has kept His promises to provide grace and forgiveness to His children. We have hope when we repent. God keeps His promises. Will you keep yours?