Pastor-Jonathan Kollmann Malachi wrote this book to Jews who thought they were following God. And yet God was displeased with them. The priests were corrupt—they were not teaching God’s Word and were presenting polluted offerings to God. The people had ceased giving their tithes to God and their marriages were in shambles. And yet, they all would have claimed to be faithfully following God. Because of their circumstances, they doubted God’s love, and therefore did not keep His covenant with them. They worshiped God, but their hearts were far from Him. Their religion had form but lacked any real substance. It is possible to go through the motions, obeying without love. It is possible to cling to the truth and serve God, yet do so in a loveless, lifeless fashion. Are you just going through the motions?