Definition: Ye have said, It [is] vain to serve God: and what profit [is it] that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Malachi 3:14. It's a pretty profound one, and it’s often misunderstood! Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying that you are focusing on the wrong things – you’re not really doing what God wants you to do – and it’s pointless. Let's unpack it word by word: “Ye have said, It [is] vain to serve God…” - This is a direct challenge to something you’ve previously stated or believed. You’ve likely been focusing on things that aren't important to God’s plan for your life. “…and what profit [is it] that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?” - This is where it gets a bit more complex, but here’s what it means: “His ordinance” : This refers to God's laws, rules, commandments, or guidelines. It could be anything – prayer, worship, good deeds, following a moral code. “Walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts” : This describes how you’ve been behaving - being sad and preoccupied with things that aren't truly important to God. “Lord of Hosts” means God. "Mournfully" means in a way that expresses sadness or sorrow. So, what does it all mean? Malachi 3:14 is telling us that we’ve been living our lives in a way that's not aligned with God’s will. We're prioritizing things that don't matter to Him, and that's leading us down a path of sadness and lack of purpose. It’s saying that all the rituals, rules, and traditions we follow – they're ultimately empty if we aren’t actively seeking God's guidance and living a life of love and obedience. The Message: The verse is a gentle but serious warning. It encourages us to: 1. Turn away from things that don’t honor God. 2. Focus on what truly matters - His will and relationship with Him. It's about aligning our lives with God's purpose for us. In short, it’s a call to repentance – to change your focus and behavior so you can be closer to God. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of things that might be leading someone to this thought? Provide a related Bible passage for further consideration?