Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
You've been saying, 'What's the point of serving God? What do we get out of following his rules and walking around all sad and serious before the Lord?'
God's calling out people who are like 'serving you isn't worth it' and treat faith like a transaction.
📚 Historical Context
During the time of Malachi, around 430-400 BC, the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon and were struggling to rebuild their society amid economic hardships and spiritual complacency. The people were expressing frustration with God's promises, questioning whether their obedience and rituals were worthwhile since they weren't experiencing the prosperity they expected. This verse captures a widespread attitude of doubt among the post-exilic community, who felt that serving God was futile without tangible benefits.
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