July 16, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“‘Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?‘ (Malachi said) ‘The man who hates and divorces his wife does violence to the one he should protect,’ says the Lord Almighty, the Lord God of Israel. ‘So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.’” (Malachi 2.10, 16)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

Let me first remind us, mighty ones of God, that within the writing of Malachi the word “hate” pronounces not the feeling and the emotion which we associate with it but the spiritual aspect of the “withholding of favor and blessing.” We have this tendency of dealing with words in opposition. We often find that doing so makes it easier to define one word or the other or both. In this regard, if “hate” is the opposite of “love,” then “the withholding of favor and blessing” is countered by the “dispensing of favor and blessing.” I would suggest for your consideration that we, in all our dealings with one another (whether they are friend or foe…now hear the teaching of Jesus when He said ‘Love your enemies,’) we do so keeping the intentionality of God as our template of decision-making. Getting caught up in the “emotion” of either word may well neutralize our “called out by God” interaction and expressions of “doing good.” Now it is here that I would remind us all that “good” is not meant to be defined as a quantitative word or an evaluative one. Rather, “good,” biblically speaking, presses upon our heart, mind and soul the call “to do what God has created and intended us to do.” How is it then that we “withhold God’s favor and blessing from others”? How is it that we are to “dispense (give out not do away with) God’s favor and blessing?” Further, as we have already been challenged by this word to Israel through Malachi, it is the use of the convention of marriage which describes the right relationship between God and humanity. The apostle Paul uses this same imagery to define the right relationship between Christ and the Church (and conversely the Church and Christ) and holds “husband and wife” equally accountable on earth as it will be in heaven. (Yes, I know the teaching that in Heaven we are not given in marriage. But, why should we “be given” in marriage when we are, in fact, already married and are co-workers in the kingdom of Heaven as we are on earth?)

Now let us look at the word of the Lord given in verse 16 in general to all husbands (and prospective husbands) and wives (and prospective wives). It is also given in equal terms of accountability to the priests (who are the central focus of this prophetic word to and from Malachi) who are to be “as husbands” to their “bride” (the people and nation of Israel.) As confusing as it may seem to be, and as I have previously outlined in reflections on Ephesians 6, those who are “earthly” husbands in their relationships (to wife and congregation) are at the same time brides to Christ who is the head of the Body and the true Bridegroom blessed by our Father in Heaven. The onus is on the men to live faithfully in this duality of existence. Perhaps it is the very reason that we are taught “the two shall be as one” because in the beginning (according to the creation narrative in Genesis 3) we were, in fact, one. Yes, Eve was drawn from Adam and made to be a separate but connected person. They were equals before God and created with unique purposes, privileges and obligations in the flesh and in the spirit. The dissolution of such connection “does violence” as we hear in today’s verse. So, Eve did violence by submitting to herself and to Satan instead of her husband who was the “wise counsel” for her life in the Garden. Equally, Adam did violence by submitting himself to Eve and refusing to “rebuke the Devil so that he would flee” instead of remaining steadfast to God’s commissioning and covenant (You may eat of any fruit of the Garden save one lest you die.) Is it possible that the “temptation of Eve” was, in all reality, the testing of Adam. Scripture tells us that Adam was standing nearby watching the whole scene unfold and did “nothing.” Is this not the very urgency which presses upon all of us today in light of the “temptations” which are being presented? Shall we “do nothing” in standing guard over those given to us to lead, guide, direct and protect? Isn’t this inclusive then of what God was saying to those spiritual leaders of Israel, especially those in the service of God in the Temple, “Be on your guard and do not be unfaithful!“?

Mighty ones, this is a strong word that is given. I have found, and you have seen it as well perhaps in your own lives, that strong words are usually the ones we find ourselves in conflict with. We would rather not hear them or hearing them, we would pretend we were not listening. As the word declares “Let those with eyes to see, see; and those with ears to hear, hear.” I believe the better translation of that admonition of that which holds the strongest accountability is “Let those with eyes to see, perceive [the truth]; and those with ears to hear, listen [which by definition means “to obey and follow through” with the truth.]” What is it God continues to present to us and press upon us with His strong word. We see it in full effect with the gift of His Son into the world (the people who on earth do dwell). The gospel of Jesus Christ is summed up in one word: righteousness. That word alone sums up the Law and the Prophets. It is the call to righteousness, being in right relationship with God. How then can we be righteous? Isn’t it summed up in that old commandment made new in Jesus Christ: love one another? How do we truly love one another? Isn’t it by dispensing to others God’s “blessing and favor” with the declaration of mercy and grace leading to repentance and thus into the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake (and for our benefit)? If we are not doing this and only settling for half, then we are not doing it at all. Be on guard, mighty ones of God, as members of “priesthood of all believers.“

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works leading others to call Jesus Lord in faith, hope and love. AMEN.