God Calls for Israel to Return to Him: A Plea for Faithfulness

In the unfolding drama of Malachi, God has meticulously laid bare Israel’s spiritual decline. He first affirmed His unwavering love, then pointedly rebuked the priesthood for their profound disrespect. Now, in His fifth message (Malachi 3:6-12), God addresses two incredulous questions from the people: “How shall we return?” and “How did we rob You?” The Lord’s response is a powerful declaration, revealing a paradox: while He remains unchanging, Israel has drifted far from Him, even to the point of outright robbery in their tithes and offerings. Yet, amidst the stern rebuke, there is a profound promise of benevolence if His people will only return.

1. God Hasn’t Changed, But Israel Has

God’s opening statement in this passage is a cornerstone of His character: “For I am the Lord, I do not change.” Time and history unequivocally prove this truth. God’s character remains steadfast – His faithfulness is unshakeable (2 Timothy 2:13). His purposes and plans are immutable (Hebrews 6:17; Proverbs 19:21). His promises, once made, are never revoked (Psalm 132:11). And His Word stands forever, defying the fleeting nature of all else (Isaiah 40:8). Despite the delay in justice that Israel perceived, God’s unchanging nature means He is being “mercifully patient,” not slow (Hosea 11:7-9; 2 Peter 3:9). He is God, not man, and His long-suffering is a testament to His divine mercy.

In stark contrast to God’s steadfastness, Israel had undeniably changed. God declares, “From the days of your fathers you have gone away from my ordinances” (Malachi 3:7). The historical records of the Books of Kings and Chronicles, as well as the impassioned pleas of the prophets, bear witness to Israel’s consistent departure from God, despite His repeated warnings and interventions. They had strayed far from the covenant established with their ancestors.

2. Israel Must Return to God if God Will Return to Them

The heart of God’s plea is captured in the simple yet profound command: “Return to Me, and I will return to you.” The Hebrew word shub (שׁוּב‎) for “return” is central to prophetic writings, signifying a decisive turning either away from God (apostasy) or back toward Him (repentance). To “return to God” for Israel meant to return to the covenant relationship He had established with them.

Yet, Israel, in their spiritual blindness, responds with another audacious question: “How shall we return?” They seemed utterly oblivious to their fallen spiritual standing, perhaps believing that their participation in the outward forms of Jewish life was sufficient. They had become tragically insensible to their true condition before God.

It is in this context that God unleashes His astonishing accusation: “Will a man rob God?” The very question expresses divine astonishment. It’s astonishing because it is an incredibly daring act for a mere human to defraud the Almighty. It’s astonishing because it is a shamelessly ungrateful act, given God’s ceaseless provision. It’s astonishing because it is senselessly destructive, impacting their own well-being. And it’s astonishing because such an act will certainly bring divine punishment.

God then provides the damning answer to “How did we rob You?”: “In tithes and offerings.”

According to Leviticus 27:30, “All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.” These tithes were crucial for the proper functioning of the temple service (Numbers 18:8-20), for the sustenance of the Levites who carried out God’s work (Numbers 18:21-28), and for sustaining the national festivals (Deuteronomy 12:6-17). Furthermore, a portion of the tithe was specifically designated to provide for the poor, strangers, and orphans in the land (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Nehemiah, in his time, had to address the very same problem of neglected tithes (Nehemiah 13:10-13).

By withholding their tithes and offerings, Israel was not merely shortchanging the Levites or the poor; they were directly impacting the purpose of God in the national and religious life of Israel. When Israel failed to bring their tithes and offerings, they were robbing God of the honor and glory due to His name. As Malachi 1:6 previously queried, “Where is My honor?” Proverbs 3:9-10 teaches us to “honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” Tithing is not merely an act of giving, but an act of worship, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and His rightful claim over all that we possess.

3. Israel’s Returning Will Be Rewarded

Despite Israel’s egregious robbery, God, in His boundless grace, extends an unconventional invitation: “Try Me now in this,” says the Lord of armies, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” God subjects Himself to their scrutiny, daring them to “test” Him.

The challenge is simple: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse.” Israel was giving, but not “all.” The purpose of bringing “all the tithes” into the storehouse was clear: “that there may be food in My house” – food for the sustenance of God’s servants. God offers Israel the profound privilege of feeding His ministers, and in return, He promises to shower them with blessings beyond measure.

If Israel would only obey, God promised extraordinary responses:

• He will open the windows of heaven! This speaks of unexpected and abundant blessings, as seen in the story of Elisha and the famine in Samaria (2 Kings 7:2, 19).
• He will pour out such blessing that there will be no room to contain all of it! An overflowing, immeasurable torrent of favor.
• He will rebuke the devourer for their sakes, protecting their crops and labor from blight and destruction.
• He will make the nations see their blessedness! Their faithfulness would become a testimony to the surrounding peoples, showcasing God’s power and provision.

Conclusion

The message of Malachi 3:6-12 holds profound relevance for believers today. Our attitude towards giving is a clear indicator of two critical things: our spiritual perspective of God and our feelings towards the ministry and work of God in the world. Regardless of our feelings, withholding our tithes and offerings is a serious matter – it is robbing God of His honor and glory.

However, the inverse is also gloriously true: honoring God in our tithes and offerings is always rewarded. It is a tangible act of faith, a recognition of His sovereignty, and an expression of our love. It opens the door for God to demonstrate His unending faithfulness and pour out blessings that surpass our comprehension. May we, as God’s people, respond to His call to return, not with cynical questions, but with joyful obedience and generous hearts.