“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. …Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.  

Malachi 3:6-7

In Malachi’s day reverence for the Lord had hit rock bottom once again. God knew there was only one way to make His message plain and clear. He had to shift the focus of His people off themselves and the world, back on Him.

So where did God begin? He stressed His character: “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” 

The big word for “do not change” is immutability. “He can never be wiser or holier, or more righteous or more merciful than He ever has been and ever must be.”* God promised, and if He promised He could not go back on His word. Oh, He would correct His people and show them the way to go. But He would not rescind His promises.

And so “Return to me, and I will return to you” becomes key. How do you return to the Lord? There is nothing wishy-washy about “return”. It is an about-face—not half-hearted, no fooling around, no lack of devotion!

Malachi’s words set out to catch the attention of God’s people. Their questions dripped innocence*: “’How do we rob you?’ …’What have we said against you?’” You can hear it: “Who—me, Lord?”

Then futility piled on: “‘It is futile to serve God…the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape’” (3:8-15).

Is there any chance that my fear of God has dwindled over time? How often have I sat on the fencepost of wholehearted commitment? Am I generous with my tithe? Do I question His ways? What do I feel about the prosperity of those who have no use for Him?

It is up to me to take that first step back by examining my heart. It was never impossible to return—Hebrews 11 commends the many Old Testament folks who lived in holy fear. But think of the advantage you and I have. 430 years after Malachi, a tiny baby was born. In Him lies fullness of life: “I am come that (you) might have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Nancy P

*Thomas Constable, Sonic Light.

All Scripture quotations are from the NIV 1973, 1978, 1984, unless otherwise noted.