Common Ground

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I am currently reading the book Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament. My study bible contains information on all the sections of the Bible that include details regarding each book. To me, reading these additional sections is a must before getting into any book in the Bible as the context is made much clearer for me when I can conceptualize the historical timeline.

The date proposed for the writing of Malachi is the mid-fifth century B.C making Malachi a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah. Along with a few other details that prompted scholars to date the book during that time, there was also a “substantial parallel between the sins reproved by Malachi and those reproved by Ezra and Nehemiah which were the corruption of the priesthood, marriage to idolaters, abuse of the disadvantaged, and failure to pay tithes” (page 1771, ESV Study Bible).

While reading the Introduction section for Malachi, something immediately came to mind - the common ground between people, then and now. People missing the mark. 

“And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts.  My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.  True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”    Malachi 2:1-9 ESV 

The book of Malachi begins with declaring the word of the LORD to Israel…which is interesting since the Kingdom of Israel was split after Solomon’s death in 931 B.C. The split was due to the tyrannical ruling of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. Israel as a nation was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BCE. Malachi was writing this book mid-fifth century B.C., a time when Israel as a nation essentially did not exist, so what was Malachi meaning when he began expressing the burden of the LORD when he addressed them by the name Israel? He was speaking to the heirs of the covenant promises of God. Malachi was expressing not the smaller truths of the current situation, he was setting the tone with a much greater truth, the calling of Israel and God’s covenant with them. He was setting a standard. And this standard makes them accountable as heirs to the covenant.

Looking through a historical lens from the establishing of the Mosaic Covenant to the time of Malachi, I could easily point out fatigue possibly resulting in religious compromise. I also think the knowledge of being special as a nation can result in conceit. Conceited people tend to make up their own rules. Weariness or fatigue can result in cutting corners of excellence. Remember, the standards had been set by God about 1,000 years prior. And they were missing the mark, which Malachi pointed out. But Malachi was pointing out something else along with their present sin. He pointed out that a day was coming where God would send Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. Malachi speaks to a future challenge coming to Israel by an Elijah type visitation. He is encouraging them to remember the Mosaic Covenant (chap 4:4). He declares to them that although a day is coming that will burn like an oven, using the arrogant and evildoers as fuel for this oven, for those who fear God’s name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. In the truth of weariness and conceit, Malachi is challenging them to the greater truth of faith in the future through the covenant given.

That sun prophesied about in Malachi 4:2 has risen. It is Jesus Christ. He came to shine light upon a dark planet. He came to shine the light on dark deeds so they can be forgiven. He came to illuminate our hearts towards God, towards His will and His continuing plan for humanity. He came so that we could transform from rule followers to actual new creations empowered by the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. Although the commonality of being humans who miss the standard continues, it is also true that there is a remedy for that in the personal acceptance of the gracious and loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God”.      Romans 8:19-21

In our humanity we miss the mark. In the delay of prayers answered we grow weary. In our God-given abilities and gifts we grow conceited. Yet a truth larger than any of those truths exists and has been given us to look towards in faith.

“And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood”.  Luke 22:20

This new covenant is offered to all those who will believe. 

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin”.   Colossians 1:9-14