The last book of the Old Testament is one of those classified as a “Minor Prophet.”  I like to remind people that this classification has to do with the length of the book, not the importance of the message. It is still God’s Word that is being shared with His people through His servant Malachi.

This prophecy was addressed to those who had returned to Israel after the Babylonian captivity. They were trying to rebuild their lives in their homeland under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah. At one point Nehemiah went back to serve the Persian King. When he returned to Jerusalem he found the same sins addressed by Malachi, which is why we think the prophecy was written in this time frame, around 433 B.C.

Today let’s consider the message shared in Malachi chapter two. Take a moment right now to read the entire chapter before going on.

God is once again “calling out” the disobedient. He starts with the Priests, the ones who were to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. He says they have not been faithful in their duties even though God has been faithful to His people. The Lord points out that the Priests are not being reliable teachers of His Word to the Children of Israel.

He then condemns those who are marrying people outside the faith, taking wives from the pagans. This led people to fall away from the worship of the God who had made them His chosen people, the one who rescued them from Egypt, the one who promised to send a Messiah for all nations. And even though God’s plan and desire for marriage is that it be a life-long union between one man and one woman, His people were making divorce more and more commonplace.

This chapter concludes with these words:

Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”

“All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord.” There really is nothing new under the sun. People still try to maintain that their sin is acceptable. We attempt to justify our terrible behavior, but do so on the basis of our own judgment, not God’s Word. And that is wearisome to the Lord. It is a problem.

There is a solution. In spite of man’s foibles and follies, God is faithful. He kept His promise. He sent the one who would pay for all sin, including the ones condemned through the prophet Malachi. Jesus did that for everyone. That gives us true comfort and peace, which will never be found in trying to justify ourselves and our sinful behavior.