September 23

“It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). God has promised unbelievable blessings when we obey Him, and He has clearly described the curses we will receive when we wander from Him like sheep, choosing our ways over His ways (Isaiah 53:6). His patience with us is beyond anything any of us deserves. The history of Israel was one of straying from God and reaping His wrath and then returning to God and finding His favor.
God’s people often regarded marriage very lightly; favoring marriage to many wives and concubines over faithfulness to one wife. No wonder they thought nothing of worshipping many idols rather than remaining true to the One, Jehovah God. They also intermarried with foreign wives who worshipped pagan idols and produced children who knew little of God (Malachi 2:10-15). And, rather than appreciating God’s undeserved grace, His people often questioned why God didn’t punish others whom His people perceived to be more wicked than themselves (2:16& 17).
God has always had a special place in His heart for widows and orphans, but more often than not, these unfortunate victims of man’s selfishness found themselves neglected, cheated, and oppressed by the people of God (3:4&5). And nowhere was their wickedness more apparent than when the Israelites chose to withhold their tithes and offerings from God and keep them for themselves (3:6-12).
“The day of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can endure it?” (Joel 2:11). “That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time! Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts.’ Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you. Who knows? Perhaps even yet He will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this terrible curse” (2:12-14).
God has continually sent judges, prophets, and others to turn the hearts of His people back to Him (Malachi 4:5&6; Hebrews 1:1&2). Yes, even today, God uses people on a regular basis to impart to us nuggets of wisdom that will draw us closer to Him. May we be wise enough to see His hand of gracious favor upon us and turn to Him.