Behold, I make all things new!
Friday, December 3 Malachi 3:5-12
Messengers
“Malachi” is Hebrew for “my messenger.” Scripture is filled with messengers, often ordinary go-betweens. They are also prophets, and they may be angels.
Angels bring many life-giving messages, but there is one particular message that is repeated throughout our stories – an angel tells Abraham that he would have a son: Isaac. An angel assures an Egyptian slave that she will bear a son, who would become a great nation: Ishmael. An angel tells an unnamed woman that she will bear a son, set apart to begin the deliverance of Israel: Samson. An angel tells an aged priest that his wife will bear a son, whose own vocation as a malek, a messenger, will prepare people for the Lord: John. An angel tells a young, unmarried woman that she has found favor with the Lord, and will bear a son of the Most High, who will rule all nations: Jesus.
The announcement of new life is joy; but the living of those lives is hard. Malachi, the messenger prophet, brings us words that reflect both. Have you ever seen a piece of jewelry that is all black, but for a single band of gold running through it? That is an image that comes to mind for the prophets’ discomforting words highlighted by a word of hope. The gold vein is so striking because it is surrounded by contrast, a beautiful bright line that makes what surrounds it beautiful in a different way.
Malachi names the hard, dark truths of the people of God: we have become comfortable, lax, selfish. We have been unfaithful in small and large ways. We have not loved God and our neighbor with our whole heart, but only with the portion that is convenient or obligatory. There is a beauty in these judgments, these callings-to-account that are not meant to make us feel hopeless and guilty, but to direct us to the gold thread that declares ‘Repent; for I am the Giver of Life, in all its joys and all its struggles. In my love and forgiveness, I make all things new!’
God, open our hearts this Advent to your messengers. Help us respond with repentance, love and the willingness to share your message. Amen.
Rev. Sue Bahleda – Island of Faith, Wrangell
Malachi 3:5-12
5Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.
6For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished. 7Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, "How shall we return?"
8Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, "How are we robbing you?" In your tithes and offerings! 9You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me — the whole nation of you! 10Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. 11I will rebuke the locust for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not be barren, says the LORD of hosts. 12Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.