God: Father, Master, King

When he was a high-school junior in Phoenix, Arizona, Jacob Staudenmeier created an elaborate “prom-posal,” Staudenmeier decided to remake the opening scene of the movie La La Land in order to ask the film’s star, Emma Stone, to go to prom with him. (Despite his efforts, Stone declined graciously.)

The trend of “prom-posals” has led to high-school students going to extravagant lengths to get a date to prom—to prove, as it were, the depths of their affection. In the opening verses of the book of Malachi, Israel seems unimpressed with God’s demonstration of His love: “How have you loved us?” (v. 2). God, it seems, has not proved His affection beyond reasonable doubt.

Note that Malachi is the chronological as well as canonical caboose of the Minor Prophets. For centuries, God’s people have witnessed His relenting love. They had persisted in sin, but He had not persisted in wrath. Instead, He had restrained His judgment, brought His people home from exile, and poured out His Spirit to help them rebuild the temple and their lives. Who had really failed to uphold the binding obligations of the covenant?

I am your Father, God says, going far back into the annals of time—before King David, before Moses, until the birth of Jacob and Rebekah’s twin boys, Jacob and Esau—to prove it (v. 6). I chose to set my affection on Jacob rather than Esau, God said (v. 2). Would they not honor Him? I am your Master. They were given laws to follow, including prescriptions for the sacrifices to offer on His altar (v. 8). Would they not obey and fear Him? I am your King, who accepts nothing less than your irreproachable honesty and absolute loyalty (v. 14). Would they profane His name?

Apply the Word

In conclusion of our prayer for Digital Marketing, would you partner with us as we ask God to bless Moody's digital ministry and the service of Kiel Russell, Andrew Youngquist, Elizabeth Doogan, and Karsten Smith. Thank you for praying!

BY Jennifer Michel

Jen Pollock Michel is a regular contributor to Christianity Today’s Her.meneutics blog. Her first book, Teach us to Want: Longing, Ambition and the Life of Faith, is published by InterVarsity Press. Jen earned her BA in French from Wheaton College and her MA in Literature from Northwestern University. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and five children, and serves on staff at Grace Toronto Church.