III. The people “dealt treacherously”, 2:10-16.
Malachi begins in
v10 with another basic principle. The
first was: God has loved us; why do we despise Him? This second one is: we all have the same
Father, the same Creator; why do we deal treacherously with each other? This is a principle that fit Israel, fits the
Church, and fits all our relationships.
The people we deal with at the very least are the work of the same
Creator who made us. How can we then
deal with others deceitfully, not keeping our word, lying to others (that is
the meaning of the Hebrew term used five times, v10-11,14-16)?
The LORD is still
addressing the matter of worship in this issue, as those who deal this way are
bringing offerings. But we ask, what was
the nature of this treachery? It took two forms but both involved marriage. (You
may remember that this was an issue in post-exile Israel, Ezra 9-10.)
·
First, v11-12, men of Judah were marrying
daughters of a foreign god. This
profaned (made common, defiled, wounded) the holy institution of marriage, although a literal translation would
say: Judah has profaned the holiness which He loves. In v15 we see some clarity on this. God makes the couple one in marriage; so to bring together a man of Israel, God’s chosen
people, with a woman who worship another god, violates God’s holiness. God has designed this union so that godly
children can come from it. But if the
couple is not one at the most
foundational issue of their relationship with God, then they deny God’s holiness
(Heb. qodesh, God’s apartness, separatness, uniqueness).
·
Second, v13-16, men of Judah were divorcing
their wives. Remember: the problem here
is that this behavior violates the fact that the husband and wife have the same
Father, the same Creator. And it
violates God’s holiness by violating the relationship He instituted (Gen.
2). This passage is amazingly relevant
to our day, especially to the Body of Christ.
Consider a few things.
o
Likely the tears at the altar (2:13) are those
of the offended wives. Because the LORD
respects these He will not regard the offering brought by the husband. Jesus taught the same thing in the Sermon on the Mount, that one who brings
his gift to the altar while his brother has something against him should leave
the gift, be reconciled, and then bring the gift (Matt. 5:23-24).
o
Divorce is considered treachery (again, deceitfulness, not keeping your word) because it
violates both the companionship of
the couple (i.e. their friendship, partnership) as well as the covenant
relationship of the couple. Note that
the word covenant is the same word
God used with Noah (Gen. 9:11), Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 15:18; 17:2; Ex.
2:24), David (Psa. 89:3,28) as well as Israel (Ex. 19:5). The point is that the agreement of the couple
is no small or trivial thing; it is solemn and to be kept with the same
faithfulness as God has extended in His covenant relationships.
o
God hates divorce. The reason, beyond what we have already seen,
is that it covers one’s garment with
violence (v16). There is no way the
couple, in such an intimate relationship and companionship, can dissolve that
union without animosity, diminishing the value of the other in some way.
o
The advice, no, the command, is given twice: take heed to your spirit. Everything we are begins inside, in the spirit.
It then makes its way into our hearts, our desires, our plans, our words
and then our actions. God is saying that
the couple, at the first hint of dis-unity in the marriage must nip it in the
bud before it begins to grow and fester.
What we have sought
to do here is simply to allow the word of God to speak to us. Some may be wondering about various
circumstances or justifications or other matters in marriage. It is the way we are, always wanting to
dilute the word of God. What we must do
in this passage is hear God, hear His heart in this matter. God clearly has some deep thoughts when we
hear that He hates something. So let us not seek an escape. Let us hear and heed His word to us from this
day forward!
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