June 27, 2021: Burning Like a Furnace – Michael Hidalgo

The Italian prophet Malachi (please use this joke in my absence) writes to the people pointing out the ways they continue to break the covenant with God. In the midst of this he also points out how God has remained faithful to them. It is God’s faithfulness and power, that will ultimately bring both judgment and renewal for the people. And when that happens, “… He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents” (4.5,6). But it’s not all roses, there will be punishment as well during the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

How do we square this sort of thing in our time today? The idea of a God who punishes seems, for some, antiquated, and many struggle with the idea of ever worshipping a God who does this sort of thing? Does God really only love those who are faithful to God (see verses Malachi 1:2-3)? Perhaps our answer comes through the vision of Elijah returning. Many associate Elijah with the Messiah, who we believe to be Jesus. When we look at Jesus what do we think when it comes to a God who is angry?