Last Sunday of the Church Year: Old Testament, Malachi 3:13-18           

Malachi 3:13-18

There are many words in our language and in our normal discourse that are good words. There are many words in our language and in our normal discourse that have been hijacked for the promotion of all manner of isms and manipulation. Discrimination is just such a word. Use that word and immediately it takes on a weight that hauls before our attention ugly, disruptive, and even deadly behavior. It is a word that points to an ugly part of our history (and to every one else’s history) in regard to race relations, social and economic status. It almost always points to making sure one group of people sees another group in a negative light. And in our current culture it seems to give a right to violent and disruptive responses. All that to say that discrimination isn’t in and of itself a bad word.

We discriminate every single day. “How’s that wine?” “What did you watch this weekend?” “I hate the music of the Rolling Stones.” We discriminate all the time. In this week’s Old Testament lesson, God is discriminating. His Word highlights a distinction. That’s a part of the process of discrimination. There are those who accuse God and mock his good provision in their lives. And there are those who love and fear God’s name. Pretty stark contrast. So discrimination in this instance wouldn’t be difficult. And in this particular case, it is most helpful to us.

Discrimination is an everyday process. And often God allows us to practice it in order to bring clarity to our otherwise muddy and muddled lives. Lord, make us discriminating disciples.