ocr: cemple. They went through the motions of their religion, but had lost contact with the God whom the religion was all about. Malachi is written in the form of a dialogue, with the children' of srael bringing their grievances to God, the ather. They were questioning God's love and his fairness. One gripe bothered them nore than any: Following God had not brought the anticipated reward. In reply, lalachi calls his people to rise above their seltishness and to trust the God of the covenant; he has not abandoned his treasured possession. "Test me, a says God, "and see if I will not throw open the T ...