Malachi 3:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.

NIV: "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ "In tithes and offerings.

NASB: Would anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

CSB: "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!" "How do we rob you?" you ask. "By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions.

NLT: Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! 'But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ 'You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

KJV: Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

NKJV: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

The question asked by Malachi is meant to be an expression of shock and disgust. It's a rhetorical question, assuming a negative answer. All the same, this is exactly what Israel has been doing. Robbing a person is not only immoral, it's a sign of contempt. Robbery assumes a certain amount of power, or at least a weakness in the one being robbed. As is typical for the dialogue of Malachi, Israel questions whether they have even committed this crime.

The "robbery," in this case, is Israel withholding the tithes required by the Law of Moses (Leviticus 27:30). Malachi's prophecy is structured in several waves, rolling back and forth through the same topics. This verse is part of Malachi's fifth "oracle." Its mirror-image is the second oracle, found in Malachi 1:6–7. There, Israel's priests are criticized for bringing offerings which are improper and impure. Here, Israel is criticized for bringing offerings which are too small. The people are holding back from God what He has told them to give.

The reference to robbery is key to understand God's perspective on this sin. Israel is not being accused of being stingy, or unloving. They are charged with robbing God. That implies taking something which belongs to someone else. God clearly sees this tithe as something which belongs to Him, not to Israel. To withhold it is to steal what Israel has no right to possess.

It is key to remember that this verse, and the accusation, are in the context of the Old Testament law. This is part of the covenant between the nation of Israel and God. Tithing is not a universal, eternal law applied to all people at all times. The requirement, the blessings, and the curses of this rule are exclusively between Israel and God.

Malachi 3:7–12 is both a reminder and an encouragement to Israel. God's covenant through Moses included positive promises, in response to obedience. However, it also included negative consequences, in response to defiance. Israel has been ''robbing'' God by failing to pay His tithes. Israel's lack of success, in this case, is partly because of their own disobedience. Even so, God promises to restore Israel's fortunes if they will be faithful. Though often mis-applied, these requirements and promises are meant only for Israel, not all believers at all times.

The final message, completed in chapter 4, is an appeal for God's chosen people to return. God would prefer to see them redeemed, than to be destroyed, when the end finally comes. This passage includes God's promise to send a messenger heralding the Messiah. And, that the Promised One will someday rule and conquer the wicked. In the meantime, Israel must stop ''robbing'' Him by withholding His tithes and offerings. Only God's unchanging nature has kept Israel from destruction. At the same time, God will remember those who have been faithful during these faithless times.

Malachi's first message, to the priests, ended in chapter 2. The prophecy then shifts to accuse Israel of unfaithfulness across chapter 2 and the beginning of chapter 3. The final message covers the last half of chapter 3 and all of the short fourth chapter. This last warning is centered on Israel's failure to pay God His tithes and offerings, as well as a promise to send Messiah to judge all sin.

Malachi is the last message of prophecy given to Israel prior to 400 years of silence. Israel has rebuilt the temple, following the invasions of Babylon, but they are still under foreign oppression. Israel's spiritual condition, however, is dire. Hosea depicted Israel as prone to failure, but repentant. Later, Ezekiel exposed Israel's blatant disobedience. By the time of Malachi, Israel has passed into numbness and apathy. Unlike other Old Testament prophets, Malachi takes the form of a dialogue, where Israel responds to accusations as if unaware that they've occurred. The next prophetic voice from God would not come until the ministry of John the Baptist.