Our OT lesson begins with a word from God by the prophet Malachi a contemporary of Nehemiah. The Temple was already rebuilt, but there was still idolatry and neglecting the Temple service. We would think that since they had already returned from exile and had suffered enough that they would shape up for now, but no. Malachi helped them discover where they went wrong and showed them that God’s true intention was to heal them and to tell them of his plan to send them the Messiah who would to take away their sins. His words were scary; they are a warning! He said: “The day is coming burning like an oven! The day that will burn all the arrogant and evildoers!” As good people of the book, Israelites understood that this wasn’t good at all. It was a warning from God against those who were sleepy, complacent, indifferent to God’s word. They were dishonoring God in those very things where they should honor him. Paul saw this danger in Thessalonians and warned those who were idle and careless. Just like Malachi, Paul identified the problem and told them to get rid of it and do what is right.” It’s as if they were ripping Band-Aid off the wound and applying some medicine on it. It’s like an incision to avoid the spread of gangrene. No doctor would tell you that he sees a little gangrene and send you home that things will be okay. Doctors would make sure they cut every piece of gangrene out. In the same way, God wants us to face the truth about our actions, and change for the better. A good question would be: Am I becoming a person of integrity before God and people? Lord Have Mercy on us all!
Malachi’s words were sharp and piercing to his audience as they are to us, because they are the truth of God’s will for us, so we can recognize where we went astray, so we can repent of our ways and change. Initially, I couldn’t understand why Paul was insisting that Thessalonians be sure to work and earn a living and not live in idleness, (which btw was a sign that they didn’t have a care in the world.) I realized that what was serious in God’s eyes, was not serious in their eyes. They couldn’t see how their sleezy behavior was bad news for God or their community! What does these two stories really teach us? They teach us that if we don’t pay attention to God’s words, consequences may find us unaware and oblivious. You see, being lazy in real life is comparable to being careless. The case of Thessalonians of laziness is as bad as Malachi's audience who downplayed God's words and cared not about God's warnings.
In both cases, there is a sense of complacency there, especially when we are too preoccupied by our opinions and our trust in ourselves or trust in our google & AI search for our solutions rather than trusting in God? What kind of laziness are we falling into these days that take us away from God’s will and purposes and away from His people? It’s exactly this laziness (or our care for what’s not important) that brought the prophet’s harsh words! We see a similar scenario in 1 Cor. 3 telling us that: [“
A person's works will be tested by fire on the day of judgment. If found to be wood, hay or straw, those works will burn up, but if the works are built on proper foundation with durable material like gold, silver, or costly stones, they will be purified.] All these are warnings to us to be careful and not to slack off because our works always reveal our integrity or lack thereof.
People of integrity are people who work, people who earn an honest living! It strengthens the community and it builds up our faith, hope and love. Paul’s words are hinting that this is a season to work, there will be a season when all things will be changed. Are we prepared for that season? Paul says: “
Do not be weary in doing the right thing!” Jesus explained further what to expect in the end of times saying: “
Do not be terrified! For these things must take place, but the end will not follow immediately!” Jesus was concerned about our trajectory despite these signs and persecutions, that we would learn to stay the course faithfully and endure it to the end.
Work for the Kingdom of God now… Be awake spiritually, remove yourself from the unimportant (Like the care about the Temple's beauty which won't save anyone), allow Holy Scriptures to inspire you in your journey; encourage one another; sing psalms, praise God, day and night…
The Lord is coming soon!
Amen
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