Through Malachi, the Lord answers seven arguments from the people of Israel concerning their broken relationship with the Creator of the universe. For the next few weeks, we'll be considering those questions and their implication in our own lives.

In the classic case of "selective memory," the people of Israel have forgotten the love God has regularly shown them. It is easy to place our focus on the present while ignoring not only the past but also the future. The Israelites were in the midst of national upheaval, having returned to their homeland, from Babylonian captivity, to rebuild the temple. Instead of the glorious return they might have envisioned, their countrymen experienced economic hardship and agricultural desperation (Malachi 3:10ff). These circumstances prompted their shortsighted question of Malachi 1:2, "How have you loved us?"

The Lord answers the Israelites by reminding them of their elective love. It was the sons of Jacob who received a kingdom. They were the seed-line of the Messiah. They were a nation that was brought back from destruction, unlike the Edomites. For decades they profited from the Lord's benevolent love, from the deliverance from Egypt all the way through the deliverance from Babylon. They had forgotten these blessings and focused only on their temporary hardships.

Do we do this? Do we focus on our temporary hardship and ask God, "where are you?" I think we all do at times. Let us not forget not only our previous blessings but also our eternal promises. It was our sins that caused Jesus to die on the cross (Hebrews 12:2), and even though they were like scarlet he made them white as snow (Isaiah 1:18), and he has gone to prepare a place for us in Heaven (John 14:2f). When can our troubles overshadow these blessings? The answer is never.

Let your light shine!

Next week: #2 - How have we despised your name? (Malachi 1:6f)