Will a man rob God?This rhetorical question challenges the audacity of humans attempting to deprive God of what is rightfully His. In the context of ancient Israel, God had established a covenant with His people, which included specific laws about tithes and offerings. The idea of "robbing" God underscores the seriousness of failing to fulfill these obligations. The question implies that such an act is not only possible but is occurring, highlighting the people's spiritual and moral decline.
Yet you are robbing Me!
God directly accuses the Israelites of theft, emphasizing the personal nature of their disobedience. This statement reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where the people were expected to honor God with their resources. The use of "Me" indicates that their failure to give tithes and offerings is not just a social or communal issue but a direct affront to God Himself.
But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’
The people's response reveals either ignorance or denial of their wrongdoing. This question suggests a disconnect between their religious practices and the requirements set by God. It reflects a common theme in prophetic literature where the people are unaware of their spiritual state. This question sets the stage for God to clarify their specific transgressions.
In tithes and offerings.
Tithes were a tenth of one's produce or income, designated for the support of the Levites, the temple, and the poor. Offerings were additional gifts given to God, often as acts of worship or thanksgiving. By withholding these, the Israelites were failing to support the religious and social structures ordained by God. This failure is not just a financial issue but a spiritual one, reflecting a lack of trust and obedience. The concept of tithes and offerings is rooted in the Law of Moses, with connections to passages likeLeviticus 27:30-32 andDeuteronomy 14:22-29. This practice foreshadows the ultimate offering of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and becomes the perfect sacrifice for humanity.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MalachiThe prophet through whom God delivers His message to the Israelites. His name means "my messenger" in Hebrew.
2.
GodThe speaker in this verse, addressing the Israelites about their failure to give tithes and offerings.
3.
IsraelitesThe people of Israel, who are being accused of robbing God by withholding tithes and offerings.
4.
Tithes and OfferingsThe specific means by which the Israelites are accused of robbing God. Tithes were a tenth of one's income, while offerings were additional gifts.
5.
TempleThe place where tithes and offerings were brought, serving as the center of worship and community life for the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's OwnershipRecognize that everything we have is from God, and tithing is an acknowledgment of His provision and sovereignty.
Faithfulness in GivingTithing and offerings are acts of obedience and trust in God's provision, reflecting our faithfulness to Him.
Heart Attitude in GivingGod desires a willing and cheerful heart in giving, not just the fulfillment of a duty.
Impact on CommunityTithes and offerings support the work of the church and the needs of the community, reflecting God's love and care for others.
Spiritual ConsequencesWithholding tithes can lead to spiritual stagnation, while faithful giving can open the door to God's blessings.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Malachi 3:8?
2.How does Malachi 3:8 define robbing God through "tithes and offerings"?
3.What are the consequences of withholding tithes according to Malachi 3:8?
4.How does Malachi 3:8 connect with 2 Corinthians 9:7 about cheerful giving?
5.In what ways can we ensure faithful giving in our modern context?
6.How can Malachi 3:8 inspire us to prioritize God in financial decisions?
7.What does Malachi 3:8 mean by "robbing God" in terms of tithes and offerings?
8.How does Malachi 3:8 challenge the concept of stewardship in Christianity?
9.Why is the issue of tithing significant in Malachi 3:8?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Malachi 3?
11.Malachi 3:8–10 – How do we reconcile this injunction about tithes with a modern economy and the lack of a physical temple?
12.Is it possible for a man to rob God?
13.Is it possible for a man to rob God?
14.What does "Rebuke the Devourer" mean?What Does Malachi 3:8 Mean
Will a man rob God?• The question is meant to stun the listener. Robbery against people is bad enough; stealing from the Owner of all creation is unthinkable.
•Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof,” underscoring that everything already belongs to Him.
•Job 41:11 reminds us, “Everything under heaven belongs to Me.” Attempting to withhold what God claims is therefore rebellion against His sovereign ownership.
•Romans 11:36 affirms, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” The rhetorical force of Malachi’s opening line is to expose the absurdity of withholding what is due the Lord.
Yet you are robbing Me!• God drops the rhetorical device and states the charge plainly. Their sin is not hypothetical; it is happening in real time.
•1 Samuel 2:30 shows that God honors those who honor Him and despises those who treat Him lightly. Israel’s failure to give communicates contempt rather than honor.
•Hosea 4:7 demonstrates how blessings can turn to shame when God’s people forget Him. Here, withheld worship (through giving) converts blessing into guilt.
• Notice the personal pronoun “Me.” To shortchange God’s appointed system is to offend God Himself, not merely the priestly structure attached to it.
But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’• The people profess ignorance, revealing either self-deception or hardened hearts.
•Proverbs 21:2 cautions, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.” Their question exposes a disconnect between their self-assessment and God’s evaluation.
•James 1:22 warns against being hearers only. Israel heard the Law but failed to connect it to their practical obedience.
• The dialogue uncovers a deeper issue: spiritual dullness.Isaiah 29:13 notes people who “honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me,” a pattern repeating here.
In tithes and offerings.• God identifies the specific arena of theft: the tithe (a tenth) and additional free-will offerings.
–Leviticus 27:30: “Any tithe of the land… belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.”
–Numbers 18:21 shows tithes supported the Levites’ ministry; withholding them crippled worship life.
–Deuteronomy 12:6–7 ties offerings to joyful fellowship with God, meaning their stinginess robbed both God and themselves of celebratory communion.
• New-Covenant giving remains grounded in the same principle of honoring God first:
–1 Corinthians 9:13-14 connects temple provision with gospel ministry today.
–2 Corinthians 9:6-8 urges cheerful generosity, promising that “God loves a cheerful giver”.
• Withholding the tithe produced tangible consequences:Malachi 3:9 speaks of a curse, while verse 10 offers blessing if they return. God’s economy still operates on sowing and reaping (Luke 6:38).
summaryMalachi 3:8 confronts Israel with the shocking idea that human beings can steal from the Almighty by refusing the tithes and offerings He commands. God owns everything, yet in grace He entrusts resources to His people and assigns a portion back to Himself as an act of worship. When that portion is withheld, it signals contempt, harms the worship community, and severs channels of blessing. The passage calls God’s people—then and now—to honor Him first in material stewardship, confident that obedience unlocks His promised provision.
(8)
Robbed me.--Because the tithes are said to be offered to Jehovah, and then He gives them to the Levites in place of an inheritance (
Numbers 18:24).
In tithes and offerings.--See Notes onExodus 23:19;Leviticus 27:30-33;Numbers 18:12;Numbers 18:21-24;Deuteronomy 18:4;Leviticus 3:1-17;Leviticus 7:11-21;Leviticus 7:28-36. . . .
Verse 8. -
Will a man rob God? The prophet shows the people how they have departed from God, in not keeping even the outward observances of religion. The word translated "rob," defraud, found also in
Proverbs 22:23, etc., is rendered in the Septuagint,
πτερνιεῖ, "trip up," "supplant;" Vulgate,
si affliget homo Deum, or, as St. Jerome first translated, "si affiget homo Deum," and referred the words to the crucifixion of our Lord.
In tithes and offerings. These were due to the Lord, and therefore in withholding them they were defrauding not man but God. (For tithe, see
Leviticus 27:30, etc.;
Numbers 18:21. See the complaint of Nehemiah,
Nehemiah 13:10-12.) The "offering" meant is the heave offering, the breast and shoulder of the peace offering, which were the priests' portion (
Exodus 29:27;
Leviticus 7:14, 32-34; comp.
Nehemiah 10:37-39).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
“Will a manאָדָ֜ם(’ā·ḏām)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120:Ruddy, a human beingrobהֲיִקְבַּ֨ע(hă·yiq·ba‘)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6906:To cover, defraudGod?אֱלֹהִ֗ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeYetכִּ֤י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionyouאַתֶּם֙(’at·tem)Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859:Thou and thee, ye and youare robbingקֹבְעִ֣ים(qō·ḇə·‘îm)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6906:To cover, defraudMe!”אֹתִ֔י(’ō·ṯî)Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative caseYou ask,וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם(wa·’ă·mar·tem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Howבַּמֶּ֣ה(bam·meh)Preposition-b | Interrogative
Strong's 4100:What?, what!, indefinitely whatdo we rob You?”קְבַעֲנ֑וּךָ(qə·ḇa·‘ă·nū·ḵā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6906:To cover, defraud“In tithesהַֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֖ר(ham·ma·‘ă·śêr)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4643:Tenth part, titheand offerings.וְהַתְּרוּמָֽה׃(wə·hat·tə·rū·māh)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8641:Contribution, offering (for sacred uses)
Links
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OT Prophets: Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet you (Malachi Mal Ml) 
