Read Malachi 3
Background: Having made it clear that the miserable conditions in Jerusalem and Judah were due not to the lack of justice on God's part, but the injustices, immorality, and idolatry on their own part, God has Malachi give the people of Israel a glimpse of the glory that is possible and that will take place when the Messiah comes. First, God will once again send a prophetic messenger to announce His coming. Messiah will then come, also as a Messenger. He will come to cleanse and purify His people. This means judging them for their rebellious sin and neglect of their relationship with Him. Malachi now reveals another of the many sins of Israel: robbing God of their tithes and offerings. It was not that God "needed them", but that it signified a lack of trust and obedience on their part, as well as their selfishness and injustice.
Key verses: 16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
Thoughts: Often in those days kings would keep record books of those who had done something showing good citizenship or commitment to the king. He would have it written down so that he would not forget to acknowledge that person at a future date. It would also serve at evidence if there was ever any question of the person's character in the future. God also "keeps books." The key phrase is that they "fear the Lord." The people of Malachi's day did not fear the Lord: the wrongly accused Him of injustice, complained in His presence, and arrogantly argued with Him. May we not do the same.
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