The spiritual state of Israel had been altered by their 70 years in captivity. They had turned from idolatry but instead of rejoicing in the goodness of the God Who had restored them to their own land and to a measure of peace and prosperity, they fell into worldliness and spiritual formalism. The ordinances of God's house were neglected or were attended to merely in a careless, heartless manner that insulted God. Naturally, such sinfulness brought God's frown. Malachi was sent to turn the people from their sinfulness and it has to be noted that his message commences with a declaration of God's love for His people. The response of the people bring us to the very core of the quarrel between the Lord and His flock. "Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us?" His people quarrel with Him over the matter of His love for them. He affirms it; they question it! It is absurd for us to question God's love when it is patently obvious that whichever way we turn we are faced with the evidence of God's love and goodness toward us.