Malachi 3:9

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings."

Key Reflection

Malachi 3:9 addresses a common practice among ancient Israelites who were neglecting their religious duties, particularly in terms of tithes and offerings. The people might have claimed ignorance, asking, “How have we robbed you?” Little did they realize that by withholding these obligatory contributions, they were indeed robbing God, as such gifts were seen as expressions of faith and support for the temple and its priests. This verse highlights a significant tension between religious duty and personal greed or apathy among the Israelites during Malachi’s time.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Ye have been cursed with the curse -(not “with a curse”). The curse threatened had come upon them: but, as fore-supposed in Leviticus by the repeated burden, “If ye still walk contrary to Me,” they had persevered in evil. God had already shown His displeasure. But they, so far from being amended by it, were the more hardened in their sin. Perhaps as men do, they pleaded their punishment, as a reason why they should not amend. They defrauded God, under false pretences. They were impoverished by His curse, and so they could not afford to pay the tithes; as men say, “the times are bad; so we cannot help the poor” of Christ. “And Me ye still are defrauding” Me, ye; man, God.

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