The Warning of the Prophet Malachi

This passage deals with the spiritual corruption of the people of Israel who had finished their exile and returned to their homeland, and with the warning of the prophet Malachi, whom God sent. Though they had come back after seventy years of suffering, the people complained against God and mocked him because of the hardships of their situation and the lack of prosperity. Along with the corruption of the priests, the people drifted far from God through formal worship and offerings and through sins such as marrying foreigners.

The sermon compares this attitude of Israel with Esau of Edom, and points out the danger of a faith that treats God's grace lightly and pursues only its own benefit. Although God had already chosen them as his people and poured out countless graces, the people clung only to the visible realities before them and doubted God's unchanging love. This shows the human nature that reveals its evil intentions when answers are slow in coming, even after experiencing grace.

We need to look back on whether we are demanding immediate solutions to our problems and prosperity, and pressing God for answers. We ask ourselves whether we are committing the folly of complaining while trusting what we can see rather than the invisible God, and whether we are seeking only blessing without having restored a clean heart through repentance.