Malachi 3:10-12 - “Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.  I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty.  “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

God’s people returned to the Promised Land after 70 years of captivity.  It was a difficult situation, because they needed to rebuild everything, including their homes.  They had to adjust to having more freedom than they did during the previous decades, and freedom means having to take personal responsibility for your own decisions.  In addition, they were very poor, struggling to survive.   continue