Jesus once told a parable about a wicked servant whose master went on a trip. The servant thought to himself, “My master is staying away a long time” (Matt. 24:48). He then abused his fellow servants and spent his time eating and drinking (Matt. 24:49). He lived as if his master would never return, so he would never be held accountable. However, when his master did return, he had to pay the price (Matt. 24:50–51).

The prophet Malachi brings a similar message. The people who had returned from exile had finally built the Temple. They thought there would be some supernatural event to mark the return of the Lord to Zion. Yet, year after year went by without any meaningful change. This led them to apathetic, half-hearted worship. They went through the routine of worship without really believing in the reality of God.

The people did not really expect God to return to Zion or to hold them accountable. So, they started approving of those who did evil (2:17). In jest, they even asked, “Where is the God of justice?” (2:17). The unstated answer for them was “nowhere.” God forcefully responded. Not only would He return to Zion, but before He came He would send His messenger to prepare the people (3:1). But would the people be ready? No one who violated the Law would be able to stand in judgment. God singled out those who oppressed the vulnerable, “those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me” (v. 5). Just as John the Baptist called the nation of Israel to repent to ready themselves for the coming of the Messiah, the church today is called to live as if Jesus will return.

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