I started reading more in depth with Robert Alter on the five Books of Moses. From there I have been expanding and slowly working my way along.
Which led me to Malachi.
One surprise was to learn that:
The Book of Malachi was written to correct the lax religious and social behaviour of the Israelites – particularly the priests – in post-exilic Jerusalem.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Malachi
That message is repeated by Christ. Viz.
“For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts,” (2:7–8)
“therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach” (Matthew 23:3)
Thus:
In 2:1, Malachi states Yahweh Sabaoth is sending a curse on the priests who have not honored him with appropriate animal sacrifices: “Now, watch how I am going to paralyze your arm and throw dung in your face–the dung from your very solemnities–and sweep you away with it. Then you shall learn that it is I who have given you this warning of my intention to abolish my covenant with Levi, says Yahweh Sabaoth.”
Malachi also criticizes his audience for questioning God’s justice. He reminds them that God is just, exhorting them to be faithful as they await that justice.
I found it interesting that Malachi is reprised by Christ (there is a lot of scholarship on that, I chose just one example that was easy to cite).
I also thought it was interesting that both Christ and Malachi encouraged patience and faith in response to the messages.
I also found it interesting that Malachi condemned people leaving their spouses over nationality or faith differences. A good note for our times.
I’m curious.
What do you take away from studying Malachi?
Do you think any of his message will apply to general conference this year?
How often do you think we should be more patient? Less?
Wheat & Tares 
I’m curious. What’s the picture?
It is a temple from the free image source provided by WordPress.
Our society could certainly use a message like that in Malachi “issued to correct the lax religious and social behavior.” Indeed, society has never been more in need of correcting.
In a time when Dr Seuss is denigrated while Cardi B is celebrated as the symbol of empowerment, it is clear that society as a whole is rejecting moral values. The his can not be ignored.
It is up to the younger generation to choose: will it accept the call of Malachi and practice reverence and piety? Or will it embrace the immortality of Cardi B and the rest of the modern entertainment industry?
The consequences of this decision are enormous. No reasonable person wants their grandchildren to be exposed to ever greater brands of popular culture type immortality.
@JCS I’m not usually one to call out typos but you’ve slipped my favorite typo into your comment not once but twice. My favorite example of this was previously when a kid in sacrament meeting warned that “dating can lead to immortality.” But you’ve just utterly one-upped him with the phrase “the immortality of Cardi B.”
Mr. Charity: I think you’ve fallen into the trap of “good old days” syndrome. Every generation thinks that the country is going down the drain and that things were so much better in the past. And in some ways they were. But can we really say that today represents immorality and yesterday represents high morals?
Let’s compare today with the the 1950s (one of my favorite decades in some ways): Was our treatment of blacks more moral in 1951 or 2021? Was our treatment of gays more moral in 1951 or 2021? Did women have more opportunity and equality in 1951 or 2021? What about our treatment of mental health, then vs. now? See where I’m going?
I love many aspects of the past, I really do. But the idea that today we are so immoral is such a predictable premise. Every religion teaches this. We always like to say that the world is becoming more evil and that you are the chosen generation. Really?
Agree with Josh H. I’m no fan of Cardi B – I’m a prude. But in no universe is our current state of affairs less “moral” than the past. I would argue we are increasingly moral.
In the good old days, someone Cardi B’s color couldn’t drink from the same fountain or attend the same schools as white people.
In the good old days, a woman like Cardi B could be raped by her husband without legal recourse, could not legally access any kind of contraception, and was blocked from many professions and educational opportunities.
If you think “morality” is defined by sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage, then sure, maybe things today look to be in decline (although I would argue that there was PLENTY of sexual activity outside of marriage in the past – it just wasn’t talked about as much). If you think morality is defined by treating all people with respect and love, then we are doing better than ever (but with a long way to go).
The good old days were only better for white, wealthy men. The were worse for literally everyone else.
I would add domestic violence to the list of things that are handled so much better now. A friend was beaten as a child so badly by her parents she was hospitalized, more than once, then returned to her parents when she recovered. Sexual abuse is still a big problem, but was even more acceptable then.
What I think made the 60s and 70 feel better was greater financial equality, especially for the middle class.
In 1970 those below the poverty line got 10% of the income now 9%
In 1970 the middle class got 62% of the income now 43% down 19
In 1970 the wealthy got 29% now 48% up 19, not people, just money. The figures for wealth are similar.
The top marginal tax rate in 1970 was 71% down from 91% in 1960, now 37%
In 1960 the corporate tax rate was 52%, in 1970 under Nixon 49% now 21%
Countries with less financial inequality (like America in 1970), and most first world countries feel better to live in.
JCS would it be better to return America toward the greater financial equality it had in the 1970, or as a conservative on times and seasons said markxism? That is one of the ways it was more moral then.
In Australia the big debate at the moment is the treatment of women, particularly by conservative men. 23% of conservative members of parliament are women. 50% on the other side. A conservative staffer was raped in the office of her minister, a woman. The atourney general, has been accused of raping a 16 year old when he was at university, he is talking about how the rule of law would collapse without the presumption of innocence, and is suing the news organizations who broke the story. Another mp of verbally abusing women, and taking inapropriate photos, and our prime minister and minister for women refuses to talk with women marching for justice for women. Less than 10% of rapes are reported, and less than 1% of those result in conviction. (Presumption of innocence, and no witnesses), which protect the rapist/assaulter, and make it very difficult to prove.
Usually we have blogs about what people expect from conference, not expecting much this time?
After Oaks talk on Saturday last conference about defending democracy, I expect him to rebuke trump voters.
/new-power-emerges-in-australian-politics-not-coming-quietly/100030876 this is POWERFUL
Geoff-Aus — that link was interesting.
So were the statistics:
“What I think made the 60s and 70 feel better was greater financial equality, especially for the middle class.
In 1970 those below the poverty line got 10% of the income now 9%
In 1970 the middle class got 62% of the income now 43% down 19
In 1970 the wealthy got 29% now 48% up 19, not people, just money. The figures for wealth are similar.
The top marginal tax rate in 1970 was 71% down from 91% in 1960, now 37%
In 1960 the corporate tax rate was 52%, in 1970 under Nixon 49% now 21%”
Appreciate everyone’s comments.
I would note that many people who comment on Malachi either assume it all applies to the laity or miss that after addressing the Priests, the laity are then addressed.
Finally, the call to patience when faced with leadership and priests that are derelict in their duties was a surprise, and I wonder how it would look applied to our days.
The entire book of Malachi made me think.
I can see in Malachi a cleansing of the priesthood and a restoration of pure divine law.