We previously indicated that the prophet Malachi refers to the priest Ezra, as all that he writes is reflected in the scroll we are analyzing in Malachi. Moreover, in the era of him and Nehemiah, who clearly lived contemporaneously with him, a severe famine struck, forcing the impoverished populace to sell their children and possessions. Ultimately, they declared, Our sons and daughters are numerous; let us trade them for bread, and we will eat and live. Some suggested, Let us sell our fields, vineyards, and homes to secure sustenance during this famine. Ezra expressed his anger, stating that during this time of scarcity, when the essentials of life were particularly costly, many were driven to sell their children—both those with limited means and those who had accumulated much fruit in their barns greeted with reluctance when it came to paying tithes to the Levites, who owned no land in Judah and whose sustenance relied on tithes and firstfruits.
To avoid the notion that this is merely our interpretation, we can call upon Ezra as a witness: I discovered, he states, that the portions of the Levites were not allotted, and that each Levite had retreated to his own land, including both the singers and those who served in the temple. I confronted the leaders, asking, Why have we abandoned the house of God? I gathered them and made them return to their duties. All Judah then brought tithes of grain, wine, and oil to the storerooms, appointing Selemiah the priest and Sadoq the scribe to oversee the storehouse.
We have recounted Ezra’s narrative, but let us now revisit the prophet’s words, paying closer attention to whether they align with his prophecy and teaching. When it is stated, Turn to Me, and I will turn to you, it is clear that He is urging those who have strayed from the Lord to come back. Observe the Lord’s mercy: He promises to reciprocate, returning to them in the same manner as they return, as indicated in Matthew 7:2. Just as it is recorded in Leviticus, If you act corruptly against Me, I will respond with fierce anger (Leviticus 26:27, 28), He now endeavors to persuade the people to return so that He might also return to them. However, they, unaware of their deviation from the Lord, audaciously ask, In what should we turn? They question, Having strayed, what will it take for us to return? The Lord responds, Does one provoke God, or is it you who provoke Me?
The Hebrew term haiecba (היקבע), translated by the LXX as deceives, denotes to undermine; therefore, its implication is this: Does a person deceive God as you have misled Me? The significance of earlier events illustrates that when the people were unwilling to offer firstfruits and tithes to the Levites, then indeed, according to the Lord’s word, He was misled, as His servants, suffering from famine and hardship, departed from the temple. If it is acknowledged that in aiding others, the Lord is indeed encountered, as with the sick and hungry (Matthew 25:35, 36), may we not admit that when His servants are neglected, it is the Lord Himself deprived of His portion? The aforementioned term haiecba, in the language of the Syrians and Chaldeans, suggests an implication of offense, in the sense of crucifixion. Thus, we earlier connected this to the sufferings of Christ, highlighting how humanity crucified God, rather than to the tithes and firstfruits whereby the Lord meets us in our needs.
Prudent readers should contemplate how these interpretations reconcile with the subsequent words regarding tithes and offerings, discerning that we might suggest, For the Lord is to be found in the tithes and offerings, implying the act of crucifying One’s God by withholding these gifts. This act, done thoughtlessly, becomes thievery, not merely from priests and Levites, but from Me, as commanded by Moses (Exodus 23:14-20). This examination has been made regarding a single word, leaving the judgment to the discretion of the reader. Now let us continue to follow the progression of the prophetic word. Since you have failed to deliver to Me tithes and offerings, and have deceived Me, putting Me down and robbing Me, all of you will endure a curse of famine and poverty.
Rather than simply referring to a people, the Hebrew word employs aggoi (הגוי), meaning a year, which the seventy translated as ἔτος (not ἔθνος), or summer. The essence of this phrase conveys: Look, the year is now complete, and you have contributed nothing to My barn. Consequently, due to neglect of tithes and offerings, which were not excessive if you had given them, you have forfeited all your prosperity. To illustrate that this is a result of My wrath—your deceit regarding My portion—I urge and encourage you to gather the tithes into My barns, the treasuries of the temple, so that the priests and Levites serving Me may have sustenance. Test Me in this, and you will witness an outpouring of rain as if the heavens themselves were unsealed. I will bless you abundantly. The term abundance implies generosity. However, it is possible to experience a bountiful harvest through abundant rainfall, yet still be plagued by locusts, worms, caterpillars, and other destructive pests that devastate the crops, leading to the loss of labor; thus, He adds: I will prohibit destructive pests—namely locusts and other such insects—and they will not devastate your land’s fruits.
The granaries will overflow with grapes, and neighboring nations will marvel at your land's fertility, wishing to dwell there due to its exemplary bounty. The discussion on tithes and firstfruits, once offered by the people to the priests and Levites, should also extend to the members of the Church. These are called not only to give tithes and firstfruits but also to sell their possessions, distribute to the poor, and follow the Lord Savior (Matthew 19:21 and Mark 10:21). Should we not fulfill this, we should at least strive to emulate the efforts of the Jews, offering at least a portion to the impoverished and honoring the priests and Levites. Thus, the Apostle urges us to honor widows who genuinely need assistance (1 Timothy 5:3), and that an elder should be venerated with utmost respect, particularly those who labor in the Word and doctrine of God. Should anyone neglect this, they stand condemned as those who insult the Lord through deceit, facing poverty in all things. It remains true that whatever one sows minimally will yield minimal results, while he who sows abundantly will reap abundant blessings (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Whenever famine, poverty, or any lack weighs heavily upon the earth, we must recognize this as God’s wrath, for He claims that in the poor, who do not receive alms, He is deceived and deprived of His portion. Regarding tithes and firstfruits, consider this: if someone who has been educated in the law of God and is competent to teach others does not attribute their wisdom and talents to divine generosity, they must first give thanks to God, the ultimate provider of all gifts, and to the priests and teachers who have guided them. Failure to express gratitude, instead claiming knowledge as a personal accomplishment, leads to a curse of poverty. Conversely, if one acknowledges God’s generosity and expresses gratitude toward those who have imparted knowledge, humbling himself to bring offerings into the Lord's storehouse, performing the ministry of the sacred Scriptures in the Church, the heavens will subsequently pour out blessings. The Lord will command His clouds to release a spiritual downpour, allowing him to enjoy all good things. All consuming threats shall be barred from him, ensuring that his labors yield fruit. It will be as it is written: Blessed is he who proclaims the truth in the ears of those who listen (Ecclesiasticus = Sirach 25:12). He will lift his gaze to see fields ripe for harvest (John 4:35) and gather fruit for eternal life. That Vine, which declares, I am the vine (John 15:1) and proclaims through the prophet, I have planted you as a flourishing vine (Jeremiah 2:21), will not be unproductive in his field. As a result of genuine humility in the profession of faith and gratitude toward God and the teachings of the Church, intermingled with prosperity, all nations will call him blessed, wishing to dwell in his land and bask in his doctrine as they listen to him teach in the Church.
THEOSIS