Malachi 2:1-17
Have you ever gotten tired just listening to someone, who goes on and on and on and on? The prophet Malachi wrote to the children of Israel, "You have wearied the Lord with your words." Malachi 2:17. God became weary of what they had to say. The God of the Bible is "merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth." Exodus 34:6. Longsuffering! He gave the wicked men of Noah's generation 120 years to repent. But the remnant that returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity made Him weary with their words!
The Israelites asked Malachi, "In what way have we wearied Him?" What could they possibly have said that would exhaust the patience of almighty God?
Their moral values were perverse. They said, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them." Infidelity, mixed marriages, spousal abuse, and divorce were common among the people. These things were an abomination to God, but acceptable to the Jews in Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah had a relevant word for his generation. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20.
Today those who speak out against the sin of homosexuality, or against abortion, or some other evils (yes, evils) of our society are called "intolerant," and portrayed as the bad guys.
The Jerusalem Jews also accused God of injustice by implication, when they asked, "Where is the God of justice?" In their thinking they undoubtedly ruminated over the question, "How could the Lord permit the godless Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and take captive their fathers?" Those with warped moral values also have a twisted knowledge of God. An endless stream of such prattle contributed to the weariness of God.
There are other words that are wearisome to the Lord. The Pharisees made Him weary with their long, loud prayers in public. Such prayers would make anyone weary. Also, the Lord must be weary of those who call Him, "Lord, Lord," and don't do the things that He says.
Yes, God can become weary from words. However, there are words that He desires to hear. He is always glad to hear words of repentance, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." All heaven rejoices when this happens. Then, too, He inhabits the praises of His people. He does not grow weary of praise. Besides prayer and praise, He is pleased with the preaching of the cross. He is always happy to hear the joyful sound, "Jesus saves!"
Lord, we want to please You. Thank You for Your patience in dealing with us. Help us to see things through Your eyes with compassion and understanding. In Jesus' name. Amen!
