I wanted to continue with Jonah but it’s only 4 chapters long, and we’ve already seen all of them, so i’ve chosen the book of Malachi, the last of the Old Testament, and also 4 chapters long.
The first chapter talks at length about the anger of God because of the impurity of some sacrifices, then more interestingly in the second chapter about the impurities coming out of the mouths of the priests : ‭‭(Malachi‬ ‭2:3‬-12) :
Then I will lift you up to me, and you will know that I have sent this command to you so that my covenant with Levi can continue to exist, says the LORD of heavenly forces.
My covenant with him involved life and peace, which I gave him, and also fear so that he honored me.
He was in awe of my name. True Instruction was in his mouth ; injustice wasn’t found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and did the right thing ; he made many turn from iniquity.
The lips of the priest should guard knowledge ; everyone should seek Instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger from the LORD of heavenly forces.

But you have turned from the path. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of heavenly forces.
Moreover, I have made you despised and humiliated in the view of all the people, since none of you keep my ways or show respect for Instruction.
Isn’t there one father for all of us, one God who created us ?
Why does everyone cheat each other to make the covenant of our ancestors impure ?

Judah cheated— a detestable thing was done in Israel and Jerusalem.
Judah made the LORD’s holy place impure, which God loved, and married the daughter of a foreign god.
May the LORD eliminate anyone who does so from the tents of Jacob.

[We retrieve here the accusations towards the priests, towards Judah, and God as the Father.]

The last extract yesterday was quite violent against the Pharisee(, and perhaps that the priests were members of the Saduccees, i don’t know) : Matthew 16:1-6

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast(/teachings) of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

[Three verses later, the Christ says :]
« Do you still not understand ? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered ? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered ? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread ? »

Surah Yunus(“Jonah”), 10:98-107 :

Then has there not been a [single] city that believed, so its faith benefited it, except the people of Jonah ? When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in worldly life and gave them enjoyment for a time.

And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed – all of them entirely.
Then, [O Muhammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers ? And it is not for a soul to believe except by permission of Allah, and He will place defilement upon those who will not use reason.
Say, “Observe what is in the heavens and earth.” But of no avail will be signs or warners to a people who do not believe.
(…)
Say, [O Muhammad], “O people, if you are in doubt as to my religion – then I do not worship those which you worship besides Allah ; but I worship Allah, who causes your death. And I have been commanded to be of the believers.
And [commanded], ‘Direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth, and never be of those who associate others with Allah ;
(…)
And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him ; and if He intends for you good, then there is no repeller of His bounty. He causes it to reach whom He wills of His servants. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

[I’m not trying to solve this one, it’s complicated, Muhammad ﷺ speaks very well about it, and doesn’t have a definitive answer as to why God didn’t chose for everything to be Perfect already, but can never be wrong to remind us that things would be different if God’s will was different, it’s up to us to do our best to reach the End, not that there’s any other direction anyway(, although once we reach this End, i don’t think we’ll know with certainty that it’s the “real”/maximal End).]

Saint of the day : St. Callistus I, Pope and Martyr