Malachi 3:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Turn to me, and I will turn to you, says the Lord Almighty. And you might ask, in what way are we to return? Why would a person attempt to deceive God? For you have deceived Me. You question, "How have I deceived You?" But behold, your gifts and offerings are withheld. Those who observe, observe deceitfully. The harvest season has passed, and all fruits will be gathered into the storehouses, yet the house will be stripped bare. After decisively redirecting them from speaking ill against Himself and urging them with the most sincere encouragement possible, He now calls sinners to repentance, assuring them of His returning grace, and abundantly at that.

But you, descendants of Jacob, remain unscathed. You have turned away from my commandments since the days of your ancestors and have failed to observe them. And you, children of Jacob, have not deviated from the transgressions of your forefathers; rather, you have abandoned My statutes and have not upheld them. Previously, the declaration was made: I am a swift avenger of wrongdoers, adulterers, those who bear false witness, those who withhold wages from laborers, those who speak ill of widows and orphans, and those who oppress the foreigner, who do not fear Me, says the Lord of Hosts. likening Himself to a just Arbiter who does not judge based on outward appearances, He states, I am the Lord, and I change not.

If you choose to engage in the same actions as your ancestors, you will endure the same consequences they faced. Additionally, the Lord Almighty presents another matter for consideration. He declares, “Turn unto me, and I will turn unto you: and I will say, Whither shall we turn!”

Even though humanity often provokes God with persistent offenses, He restrains His wrath and patiently awaits the appointed time for judgement. Possessing the authority to enact retribution, He chooses instead to exhibit His patience, graciously enduring and deferring action for a later day. This is so that, if it can be, the deeply ingrained wickedness might be transformed, allowing individuals burdened by sin and wrongdoing to return to God one final time. As He reminds us, I do not desire the death of a dying sinner, says the Lord God; turn, and live! (Ezekiel 18:32). And once more, return to the Lord God (Joel 2:13).

Through prolonged remembrance of God, the soul can experience wonder and awe. Let the hearts of those who earnestly seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord, all you who feel condemned, and be grounded in hope; turn your hearts toward Him through repentance (Psalm 104:3-4) and be purified by the majesty of His presence, cleansing yourselves from your iniquities. Those burdened by sin, draw near to the Lord, who graciously forgives and overlooks transgressions. For He declared with an oath through the prophet: I live, says the Lord God; I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desire that they turn from their ways and live (Ezekiel 33:11). Additionally, I have extended My hands each day to a rebellious people, who walk in their own wickedness (Isaiah 65:2). Why would you choose death, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11). Return to Me, and I will return to you (Malachi 3:7).

From Hebrews: ‘Since the days of your forefathers, you have strayed from my commandments and have not upheld them; return to me, and I will return to you,’ declares the Lord of hosts. You will ask, ‘In what way should we return?’ Therefore, the Lord speaks concerning the misfortunes of the Israelites: ‘You complain unjustly about the various trials you endure, contrary to the promise I made to your ancestors of numerous blessings and joy. The troubles you face are a result of your own actions: you have rebelled against Me throughout history, you have not heeded My voice, you have disregarded My ordinances, and you have turned your back on Me. I have resolved to hold people accountable for transgressing My laws; thus, I will also bring punishment upon you if you do not come to repentance.

The Lord does not always execute His warnings at once. This allows the descendants of Jacob to claim that since God's judgment against the unrighteous has not been evident thus far, it will not manifest in the future, enabling them to presume they will remain unpunished. Such thoughts are sinful: I am the Lord your God, and I do not change. The very name Lord, rendered in Hebrew as Jehovah (Being), assures you of the unchangeability of My promises and My warnings. My warnings will undoubtedly come to pass unless those warned heed them. Sadly, just as My promises are often met with apathy, My warnings fail to achieve their intended impact; for you, says the Lord, have strayed from My law and have not upheld it.