An Act of Treachery…
Breaking faith is an act of treachery. Strong language for sure. Treachery is akin to betrayal, infidelity, disloyalty, even treason! Breaking faith can apply towards God and also towards one another. “Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?” Mal. 2:10 “Profane” carries the meaning: “to dissolve, break one’s word.” Let’s set a bit of context for Malachi.
A chronological reading of the Old Testament, would have had us in Esther, just prior to Malachi. The people of God were enduring persecution in the Persian empire and God raised up Esther and Mordecai to bring deliverance and victory, with Mordecai, a father-figure to Esther, becoming second in rank to King Xerxes (shades of Joseph). God spoke many promises of restoration during this time, but their ultimate fulfillment required a posture of faith and waiting. Have you ever experienced a wonderful victory in your life but were then challenged in the continuity of the experience? I think we all have. Landing that daily reality is a challenge. In the ebbs and flows of life, God is loyal; God is faithful. God will see me through. I desire to be like Him, faithful in covenant, both Godward and in all of my relationships, especially my marriage.
Spiritual Decline…
Spiritual decline is the encroaching tide of in-between seasons. It doesn’t have to be, but often is. The excitement of the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Esther/Mordecai victories, waned over time. Restoration prophecies were slow in being realized and many of us can relate to the time stamp on clear words that God has spoken to us. As the saying goes, “God’s watch ticks in decades.” To which I must also insert: “He is the God of the suddenlies!” At any rate, the people were discouraged; spiritual energy was sagging; they were breaking faith. The temple service was neglected for lack of tithes and offerings; men were marrying foreign wives who worshiped foreign gods; divorce was rampant.
Breaking Faith…
People were offering prayers but God was not answering. The reason is summarized here: “It is because the Lord is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant…So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. ‘I hate divorce’ says the Lord God of Israel, ‘and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,’ says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.” Mal. 2:14-16
“God was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife…So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse. ‘I hate divorce,’ says the God of Israel. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says, ‘I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.’ So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.” (MESSAGE)
Refiner’s Fire…
“’I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,’ says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” I like the wording of the Message Bible: “He’ll be like white-hot fire from the smelter’s furnace. He’ll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry.”
Sitting ringside over marital battles, hearing the refrain of, “We’ve got to hear from God or we are done”, often brings to mind the priceless value of refining fire. The opposites of breaking faith are, fidelity, loyalty, and faithfulness. It’s when we allow God to “sit” as the refiner, for as long as it takes, that we will see our inner man and our outward relationships, divinely shift.
Photo Cred: Jonatan Pie on Unsplash