How we Weary the Lord

Scripture: You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you ask, “How have we wearied him?” When you say, “Everyone who does what is evil is good in the Lord’s sight, and he is delighted with them, or else where is the God of justice?” Malachi 2:17

Observation: Malachi begins with accusations against Israel from the Lord. He spends two chapters discussing how they have rejected him, which is manifested in how they have rejected every word and teaching and instruction he ever gave to them. As the last, special straw, he now declares that he is weary of them because not only do they reject what he has told them, but they declare that evil is good. They take that even a step further, stating that certainly the Lord is delighted in evil doers because of his own justice; since he hasn't openly punished (judged) such people, he must therefore accept their acts.

This - the very act of declaring that which the Lord has said is evil as being acceptable because the Lord loves people so much he offers an opportunity for repentance, forgiveness, and mercy - wearies the Lord. And the Lord's response will be to ... send "the Messenger of the covenant you delight in".

Once again, we see that one of the worst things humans do toward the Lord is reject his good teaching, and instead make our own decisions about good and evil. This is especially true when we use the Lord's own nature to justify the acceptance of evil. The Lord has grown so exasperated by this that he will send the Messiah to give final teaching and deliver a teaching that says ... forgiveness is available, all will be given a chance to repent, but judgment awaits those who do not. And that should be the end of this twisting of God's truth.

Right?

Application: Oh my!

I simply cannot read SO many passages in the Bible without thinking ... what in the world are these churches thinking? Now we see that Jesus ushered in the truth that should have overcome this concept that people who disobey the Lord are still "good in the Lord's sight" simply because the Lord doesn't smite them immediately. The Lord offers Jesus' death as a substitute for their judgment, if they will claim it by faith and declare him as their Lord and savior. That does NOT make their present actions good and acceptable.

Perhaps, therefore, it is a sign of faith to be wearied by these flawed actions and ridiculous conversations.

Prayer: Lord, may I do your work and your will today. I am far from perfect, so please forgive my sins, and help me to not judge others in their thoughts and actions, for I am very, very unqualified to judge. Instead, I seek your path today. Please take my hand and lead me. Amen.