Hello all,
I decided to look at the scripture texts for the upcoming week, rather than reviewing the texts for the week that past, because this way I engage Christmas texts before I leave for Christmas, rather than afterwards. This means there is some danger of repeat commentary in the sermon-I’m assuming not everyone is reading the blog.
The first text I’d like to look at with you is

Malachi 2:17-3:20

















Malachi is the last book in the Christian bible-the Jewish bible got rearranged a little bit moving into the Christian tradition (there is some thought that the standard interpretation of Malachi forshadowing Jesus is the reason why it ended up right before Matthew rather than the much less prophetic Chronicles).

The title “Malachi” means “God’s Messenger” in Hebrew, so it is unclear if this is the name of a particular prophet, or just a title for this particular reading. The book is usually dated after the return from exile in Babylon, so around 500 BCE, because the book uses the Persian name for a governor in verse 1:8.


The book is a polemic against lax religious practice, particularly on the part of the priests in Israel. There is a sense that despite the return from exile, all is not well, people are not thankful for God’s providence, and worship is fading. This is why it is so often connected with the story of John the Baptist (the theme for Advent 2), who have a similar passion for renewal.




The most familiar passage in this text are verses 1 and 2, immortalized in the Messiah. “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap”


This famous passage about the way being prepared for God’s arrival is in response to the (probably rhetorical) reflection in verse 2:17-“all who do evil are good in the sight of the Lord” and “where is the God of justice?”


These are age old questions: why do evil people prosper? Why doesn’t God care?


Malachi’s answer is twofold. First, in verses 3:1-6, he shares a vision of God returning, and restoring justice, in a dramatic revelation of power. This is your standard prophetic promise-God will return and make things better, the current sufferings are but a temporary struggle.


Second, in verses 7-20, Malachi lays out a more challenging argument. He asks his readers if they are really the oppressed minority that they claim to be-if they really are going to end up on top if God’s justice is restored. He claims that many have failed to keep the faith, skimping on Temple tithes, because they fear they will not have enough, and claiming that serving God does not profit the faithful any more than evil behavior.


This is a challenging comment to those of us who might consider our own relationship with power and our own commitment to the calling to discipleship. But I’d rather draw the conversation in a slightly different direction (you can take it back in the comments if you’d like).


I have two thoughts on this.

First, I’m struck by the chicken and the egg nature of this discussion between Malachi, and his unnamed adversaries. They say “where is the God of justice” he says “if you gave generously, you would prosper”. As most of you know, I have trouble with the idea that if you are faithful, you will prosper. However, I think there is something here worth noticing-that sometimes it takes practice to bring about transformation and blessing. Whether it is weight loss, a musical instrument, social service work, or my current field of study in pottery, it is only after the hard work has been put in, the hours worked, to the point that it sometimes feels like nothing will ever change, that results start to show. The rewards of practicing mindfulness, avoiding anger and bitterness, and generosity in the Christian tradition usually come after the prayerful habits of life have been well established, after we take the step of faith to devote time and energy to what may seem on first glance like a waste of time.


Second, I’m struck by the constant struggle to encourage ethical action on the part of the biblical writers. Malachi wants people to return to full generosity toward the temple, toward full faithfulness in God’s care. The promise/threat of God’s messenger, the refining fire, the accusation that the people are robbing God, they are all designed to re-inspire people to faithful practice. As someone who is both interested in exhorting myself to action in proper times and proper ways, and as someone who thinks about what it means to encourage others to good behavior, this text got me thinking about how we choose to motivate those around us, either our children, our employees, our spouses, our friends. I wonder whether our threats, encouragements, bribes, and the like really serve to make the places we live “a land of delight” for one another and for God.


So I wonder, and invite your reflections on the following questions:

1) is there anything in this text that caught your eye, or that you would like to unpack further?

2) what have you found most useful in persuasion? Do you use Malachi’s technique of both promised reward and warning?

3) Where do you experience fruitless faithfulness? Are there places in your life where it feels like your good intentions are met always with disappointment? Is this a sign of something that needs to be given up, or just a chance to wait for a breakthrough later?

Any thoughts?

Blessings on your day

Grace and peace,

Samuel