The purpose of this study is to examine what the passage Malachi 3: 7-12says to the reader. Is the interpretation that Christian churches make correct? I examine eachverse, one by one, in four versions of the Old Testament. Although there are some differences,my using of these versions is to try to establish the intended meaning, not to show thedifferences. Following the four renditions of each verse is a comment. After all the verseshave been examined, I attempt to show the relationship to the modern concept of tithing andofferings.

This verse, as well as the following verses, establishes that it is Yahweh,or God, who was speaking. There can be no doubt of that. The Septuagint indicates that He wasspeaking to the sons of Jacob. The antecedent of the second person pronouns can be found inthe previous verse in the other versions. Again, it is the sons of Jacob. These were theIsraelite people up to the time of the giving of this warning. The nature of the warninginfers that it also applied to future descendants. There is no suggestion that it applies toGentiles. To whom did God give the laws? It was the children of Israel. Who did not keep thoselaws? Again, it was the children of Israel. God made a promise to His chosen people. Since hewanted them to receive the benefits from that promise, He offered to return to them if theywould return to Him. They must have strayed far to be unable to see how to return.

God told the Israelites how they had gone astray. Whether any one of the wordsdefraud, insult, hide up from, or rob is used, it still means that the peoplehave been withholding something from God. They had gone so far that they did not recognizethat they had been neglecting tithes and offerings. References to tithes can be found inLeviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Much on offerings can be found in Leviticus.

Deuteronomy 28: 16-68 describes the curses that would fall on those who turnaway from God. Since this turning away had gone on for numerous generations, some of thosementioned probably were included. Verse 11 of this passage from Malachi gives an idea of whatthe curse was. The people continued disregarding the laws despite the curse.

In spite of what the people had neglected to do, God invited them to begin todo right. It is implied that they took only token tithes to the temple. Apparently, there wasinsufficient food for the Levites and the poor. The tithes were definitely agricultural innature, although there was allowance for monetary tithes in certain situations. God invited thepeople to test Him to see what He would do. Such words as floodgates, torrents, sluices,and windows of heaven suggest abnormal quantities. The Bethel Edition emphasizes thesemetaphors by saying that there would not be sufficient room to hold the blessings. How couldsuch a promise be refused?

A horde of locusts can quickly devastate a field of grain as it devours tosatisfy its ravenous appetite. If grape vines or fruit trees do not hold their products untilthey are ready to be picked, there will be a great loss. Apparently, the Israelites had thesetwo afflictions. Since the economy of the country was based on agriculture, the whole populationwould be affected. It would appear that God had allowed these problems to occur because of thepeople's failure to keep His law. All that the people had to do to obtain relief was to returnto God. Could anything be easier for them?

God further told the people that, if they would return to Him and receive Hisblessings, their prosperity would be seen by other nations. Among other things, this wouldlikely cause an increase in foreign trade, thus further increasing the prosperity of thepeople.

In this passage, God spoke to the sons of Jacob, or children of Israel,through the prophet. He told them what they were doing wrong, what they needed to do, and whatHe would do if they would obey. Does this passage apply to Christians today?

Now enters replacement theology. The Israelites had strayed far from thecommandments of God. They rejected the Messiah when He came to them. They were looking forsomeone who would give them freedom from a foreign conqueror, not someone who could give themfreedom from evil spiritual powers. Many Jews are still awaiting the first coming of theMessiah. Thus, they are no longer God's chosen people. They have been replaced by the GentileChristian church, which accepts Jesus as the Messiah. (Jews who have accepted Yashua HaMashiachare not accepted by either Jews or Gentile Christians.)

Churches use verse 8 to justify the monetary paying of tithes and offerings.Usually, one-tenth of one's income is paid as tithe, either voluntarily or by requirement. Itis used for such purposes as paying the pastor's salary or paying for headquarters costs. Thosewho cannot attend a church may pay it to a televangelist or a charitable organization.Offerings go to such local expenses as a building fund, mortgage payment, Sunday Schoolsupplies, building operation, alms, or missionary fund. What is the connection betweenChristian tithes and offerings and those referred to in the Malachi passage? Again, we havereplacement theology.

What has the modern-day Christian concept of tithes replaced? Grain, fruit,cattle, and sheep were tithable (Leviticus 27: 30-33). Corn, wine, and oil were alsoincluded as tithable products (Deuteronomy 14: 22, 23). One-tenth of the productsbrought in went to the Levites, who had no inheritance of land (Numbers 18: 26-29). DoChristians who produce these products tithe them? There is no mention of tithes for those whodid not produce anything. Thus, these people can tithe only money, which is not covered in theMosaic law. The reference to money in the Mosaic law states that a person was to exchange hisproducts for money under certain circumstances, then go to a place which the Lord appointed,spend the money on food, and eat it at that place (Deuteronomy 14: 24-26). This hardlyfits the interpretation of the tithes of the present-day Christian church.

What has the modern-day Christian church concept of offerings replaced? A burnt offering would be a perfect male from the flock or herd, which would be offered at thedoor of the Tent of Assembly and whose blood, after being killed, would be sprinkled over thealtar by the priest (Leviticus 1: 2-5). Later, the priest would burn the parts of thehead, the fat, the entrails, and the feet on the altar (Leviticus 1: 6-9). Turtle dovesand pigeons could also be offered as sacrifices (Leviticus 1: 14-17). Baked goods alsocould be burnt as offering (Leviticus 2: 1-10). There were thank-offerings (Leviticus3: 1-16), sin-offerings (Leviticus 6: 17-23), and national offerings (Leviticus6: 2-11). Burnt sacrifices were involved. These are a few examples. Is there a Christianchurch that follows these practices? Christians will say that Jesus was ouronce-and-for-all-time sacrifice. They are right. However, these offerings are what is meantin the passage from Malachi.

Church organizations have expenses. How can they be met? There would be noproblem if one situation could be overcome. Who comes first in the lives of many Christians?It certainly is not God. The two great commandments stated by Jesus are not kept (Matthew22: 37-40). Money that is spent on elaborate buildings could be used to assist in the workof missionaries at home or abroad. It could help alleviate the poor. Congregations were notso large in Bible times because they were split into smaller groups. Can this not be done moretoday? Also, Christians cannot always distinguish between personal needs and personal wants.Again, we have replacement theology.

Since tithes and offerings are decreed in the Mosaic law, should not otheraspects of the law be included in Christian practice? Some creatures forbidden for humanconsumption included the following: swine, any fish that lack fins and scales, any animal thatwalks on its paws, and all reptiles (Leviticus 11: 3-47). The fat of any acceptableanimal was also forbidden for food (Leviticus 7: 22-27). How often do Christians breakthese laws! There are laws of festivals to be observed (Leviticus 23: 1-44). How manyChristians know that they exist and know what they mean, not to mention the observance of them?When has a Christian congregation stoned adulterers (Deuteronomy 22: 20-24)? These arejust a few aspects of the law of Moses. Is it not selective use of the Scriptures in pickingout one verse of the law, applying man's interpretation of convenience to it, and discardingthe rest? How well do Christians really know and understand the Bible, particularly the OldTestament? Christians tend to have the attitude, "What can the church do for me?"rather than, "What can I do for the church?" In the second case, I am using the termchurch to mean the people who have accepted Jesus. Here is more replacement theology.

The only replacement which we need is exchanging the sin in our lives withthe Holy Spirit. Malachi was passing a message to the children of Israel. Nowhere in the NewTestament is the decree directed to those who receive salvation through grace, although it ismentioned in regard to persons under the Old Covenant. God's covenant people still are thedescendants of Jacob.