Ezra 4:6-23; Malachi

The Persian Empire reached it height under the leadership of Darius. Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) was not so blessed, and the glory days began to fade. When he was assassinated, his son Artaxerxes I became king and the troubles continued. Both kings who followed Darius experienced many rebellions within and military defeats by surrounding powers. This may explain why the complaints of the enemies of the Jews were received and heeded. While these groups failed to dissuade Darius and the temple construction was completed in the spring of 515 BC, the letter writing campaign to Artaxerxes to stop the construction of the walls of Jerusalem worked. Jerusalem’s reputation for rebellion had caught up with them.

To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king’s dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.” The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now the letter that you sent to us has been plainly read before me. And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid. Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me.

Ezra 4:11-21

Well, at least they had a temple. One could easily assume that all of the calamity and punishment had focused the Priests and the people on the need to follow Yahweh fully and exclusively. The fact that they did not have walls around Jerusalem would not matter if in their faithfulness Yahweh would stand as their fortress. The sad reality is that only part of that assumption is accurate. Indeed, the people would follow Yahweh exclusively and not worship idols and foreign gods any more. But, once again, the people would be complacent in their worship. So Yahweh sent His messenger, Malachi.

These events and the powerful Scriptures we read should teach the church valuable lessons about our worship and offerings to God. The produce of our lives is to be offered to God in sacrificial living, but we can allow that offering to be defiled by our willful sin and indifference.

A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the LORD’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 1:6-8

If we do not offer our best to God, we cannot be pleasing to Him. In speaking where God speaks and proclaiming His righteousness, the church had best be lovingly careful and accurate. We cannot be indifferent to the truth. Twisting Scriptures leads to destruction (2 Peter 3:16).

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 2:7-9

In our giving, we must be honest with ourselves and with God in determining how we have been “prospered” (1 Corinthians 16:2), or else we in the church are guilty of robbing God as were these Jews. With bills to pay, a retirement to fund and vacations to take, it is very easy to become indifferent in our giving.

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Malachi 3:8-10

Sure I’ve got a lot more work to do spiritually … but, at least I go to church.

Consider His nature.  Consider His ways.  Strive to love Him more!