Two different friends from different spheres of my life—one a man, one a woman—told me about their unfaithful spouses during the same week. Both felt betrayed and angry. They wondered if they would ever feel whole again.
The book of Malachi is about another broken relationship. As part of the line of Abraham, the people of Judah shared a covenant—a special agreement of commitment—with God (Genesis 12:1-3; Malachi 2:10). They were meant to show the world what it looks like to love and serve Him, but they were straying. Additionally, some of Judah’s men were committing adultery. Malachi speaks of their two betrayals at the same time, using their adultery to help them understand the severity of their sin against God (Malachi 2:11-14).
Can the same thing be said of some followers of Jesus? Am I sometimes the same as the people of Judah? Do I strive after things that lead me away from God?
Jesus calls His followers out of faithless living and into a covenant relationship with Him (Hebrews 10:16-18; 1 Peter 2:9-10). He also equips His followers to serve Him and promises that the Holy Spirit will indwell them (John 14:15-17). If you’re a disciple of Jesus, He truly has these things for you.
In a counterintuitive way, today’s passage reminds us of what a covenant relationship with God looks like. Judah’s disobedience helps us understand God’s faithfulness. Their corruption illumines God’s holiness (His perfect, transcendent nature), and their betrayal underscores His righteousness.
Worship God because He has—and always will—keep His covenants. “Guard your heart,” confess any sin that lingers, and enjoy the peace and love of a committed relationship with God today (Malachi 2:16).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 4:1-42
More:
The last verses of Malachi reinforce the prophet’s covenant theme. Read Malachi 4:4-6 as well as Matthew 11:13-15 and praise God for staying true to His covenants.
Next:
What can you do today to strengthen your relationship with Jesus? How will you worship Him for who He is and what He’s done?
Gary Shultz on June 21, 2017 at 5:54 am
Hi Andy: The passage is a striking portion of God’s word. It would do well if more people would read it and think about its words very carefully. Once again, if you believe what God says, much more thought and effort would go into a marriage. Yes, it also speaks reflectively of how we treat and respect the Lord too. We cannot expect glowing acceptance treating God like a blind idol. The word “relationship” is what God wanted and meant, not a token to be waved about when we want to be feeling like we are doing our spiritual thing. Our attitude must be exactly the opposite of what was happening in Malachi’s passage. The only way to sustain a healthy relationship is to abandon the selfish position and live for the one who has, in all ways shown His love and faithfulness. It’s rather helpful in a marriage too. Thanks Andy, great passage.
Tom Felten on June 21, 2017 at 9:03 am
Good thoughts, Gary. These words from Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology help to capture the seriousness of covenant relationship: “The biblical words most often translated “covenant” are berit in the Old Testament (appearing about 280 times) and diatheke in the New Testament (at least 33 times). The origin of the Old Testament word has been debated; some have said it comes from a custom of eating together ( Gen 26:30 ; 31:54 ); others have emphasized the idea of cutting an animal (an animal was cut in half [ 15:18 ]); still others have seen the ideas of perceiving or determining as root concepts. The preferred meaning of this Old Testament word is bond; a covenant refers to two or more parties bound together.” And, yes, it is so vital to abandon—by the power of the Holy Spirit—our selfish ways in both our relationship with God and in marriage. Humility before God and before our spouse is honoring to God and an essential ingredient in keeping our covenant vows.
andylrogers on June 21, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Thank you for reading, Gary and for this extra content, Tom. (I love reading through Bible dictionaries.) Yes to all of this. I’ve not thought of this before today, but married people should ask themselves too: Am I pursuing something that is leading me away from my spouse? (A marriage idol.) Just as we as the same question about our relationship with God.
Monica Brands on June 21, 2017 at 9:50 am
Thanks for this, Andy. This text is such a powerful reminder of God’s justice and grief when people with power exploit others (in this case women), sounds a lot like James, doesn’t it? (How can you say you know me but ignore the needs of your brothers and sisters?) Your devotional reminds and convicts me once more to let go of my agenda to pursue God’s heart and character, even when it challenges how I relate to others.
andylrogers on June 21, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Thank you so much, Monica. I couldn’t agree more. Re-reading this today has made me think (again) about letting go of my own agenda too. I think the hardest things to let go of are the things we think we’re doing in God’s name instead of pursuing his heart. Know what I mean?
street on June 21, 2017 at 12:09 pm
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
andylrogers on June 21, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Amen! Thank you for reading, too. 🙂
minkjh on June 21, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Thanks for this inspirational post on covenant theology, Andy. When we look at what’s likely the most recognizable covenant that we encounter on a personal level, that of marriage, I think the tendency for many folks is to look at this simply as an agreement between two parties, man and woman. I’ve always held that there’s a third person involved, Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate and perfect fulfillment of all of God’s covenants. That this concept is quickly forgotten displays itself in the number of failed marriages out there. I guess we feel threatened with a God who alone establishes the terms of any covenant He makes with us, so we challenge and discount those words ‘what God has joined together let not man put asunder’. Trying to negotiate on our terms is contrary to God’s plan for his covenant people.
remembered on June 21, 2017 at 11:40 pm
Exodus 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
What “laws” will God write on the hearts of true Believers, but the ones that are referred to in 1 john 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”; which would by definition include the 4th Commandment regarding “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:7 “…according to the will of God commit the keeping of [your soul] to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19
Hebrews 10:
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Interesting that we want to talk a lot about “covenants” and “relationship with God”, and these are so vital to understand, yet I cannot find ANY texts telling me that GOD instructed mankind to keep Sunday, the first day of the week, sacred, and as a memorial of Christ’s Resurrection.
Matthew 15:
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
I appreciate so much the wonderful thoughts shared, there, and wish to encourage each of you to search “the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11