God, Did I Miss Something?
Ever notice that God seems to take His time?
Malachi, is perhaps best known for being the last book of the Hebrew Scriptures, i.e. the Old Testament. His ministry took place nearly a hundred years after the decree of Cyrus in 538 B.C., which ended the Babylonian captivity and allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple.
Earlier prophets had said that the rebuilding of the temple would result in peace, prosperity, the conversion of people from other nations, and the return of God’s own glorious presence (see Hag. 2; Zech. 1:16–17; 2:1–13; 8:1–9:17). To the discouraged people of Malachi’s day, these predictions must have seemed a cruel mockery.
They were facing economic difficulties and were considered anything but a superpower. Rather, they were a backwater province and perceived as an insignificant territory. Nor did a Davidic king rule them. Rather than revival, there was spiritual decline.
Ever wonder, “God, did I hear you correctly?”
This is what many must’ve no doubt wondered. Nonetheless, in the next book, Matthew, we read about the wise men who come looking for the One who’s been born King of the Jews (Matt. 2:2).
Malachi reminds us that God’s timing is always right on time. He is faithful. You can count on it. May we be faithful during the in-between seasons.
