Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Malachi was written between 440 and 400 B.C. The Temple had been rebuilt. The forms of worship in the Law were being followed. But there was something lacking. Heart intent. The priesthood had become corrupt. There were things being neglected. This book was a call to the priesthood (and the nation beyond them) to repent and get their hearts rights. It was NOT enough to go to Temple and go through the motions (ignoring some of them). What was in the heart MATTERED. It also matters today.

God starts by stating His love and His preference toward Israel above all the other peoples and nations. He had chosen them in their mother’s womb (Romans 9:13). It was not because of anything Israel did, but by the Grace of God. It was the Lord who built their house. It was the Lord who blessed them. But the Lord was not receiving His due from His priests (or the people). They were bringing sacrifices, but they weren’t the quality that was prescribed in the Law. Their hearts were not bent on righteousness and purity. They were going through the motions, but had no intent (2 Timothy 3:5). The Lord asked them if a governor or a king on Earth would accept them as a valid gift? If they wouldn’t (1 Kings 9:12-13), why did they think God would? Micah called for the priests to repent and entreat God’s favour that the blessing could be restored. They had despised the table of the Lord and were only looking for financial gain. But they were being reminded that unacceptable offerings were lies to the Lord and deceivers would be cursed. They needed to get right with God.

There was (and is) a level of responsibility with leaders that the regular people don’t have. There was an accountability in play because they were leaders of the people. The priests NEEDED to pay attention. If they would not take this warning to heart, they were choosing to dwell in the curse which lives where God is not. He would rebuke them and they would KNOW He sent it. The Lord reiterated His covenant with them. One of peace and life and truth. He called them to be righteous in what they did like Phinehas (Numbers 25:10-13). They had departed from the Law and from righteousness. They were like adulterers. They were deceivers and not honest in their hearts. They were not asking like they should and if they didn’t change, God was going to put them out.

God was sending a messenger to prepare the way from He who was coming (John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus). Who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand? [this sounds like the Day of the Lord and the return of Jesus to me, not the first time Jesus came. That would make the believers in Jesus the one preparing the way.] He would purify them. He would sit in judgment and purge them. He would come against sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, exploiters of widows and orphans, and against those who turned away immigrants and visitors from other nations; becuase they do not revere the Lord and His point of view. He is the LORD and doesn’t change. What was right in the past is right in the future. Because they were not giving as the Lord had told them to, they were robbing Him. [Note: we are free from tithing by percentages under the Law. We are called to give with CHEERFULNESS and JOY in the fullness of what God places on our hearts – Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 8:2; 1 Chronicles 29:9; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.] If they gave as He said, they would be blessed. If they refused, they were in disobedience and opening the door to the curse of the Law (I thank God we are redeemed from that – Galatians 3:13). God asked them to test Him. To bring the tithes and offerings as He had told them to, and see if He didn’t open the storehouses of heaven and pour out such blessing they would be overwhelmed. He would rebuke the devourer for their sake. Their blessing would NOT be destroyed. All nations would see them and call them BLESSED. Why? Because they gave when He said give and how He said to give – not other human beings pressuring them. THAT was giving from the heart and THAT would be blessed. He knew they claimed that it was pointless to obey. That they had done everything and still weren’t blessed. But their HEARTS weren’t in it. God told them if they would HONOUR Him in their hearts, their names would be written in His book and would be remembered by Him. He would spare them as a man spares his son. They would see the difference between the righteous and the wicked. Between those who serve God with their hearts and those who do not.

““For look! The day is about to come, burning like an oven, and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble. The coming day will consume them,” says Yahweh of hosts. “It will not leave behind for them root or branch. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise, with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like fattened calves. You will trample down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I am going to act,” says Yahweh of hosts.” (Malachi 4:1-3)

It may LOOK like the ungodly have the advantage, but it is all temporary. There is coming a Day when those who believe in the Sun of Righteousness (Jesus) will rise and go out like well-fed calves. The wicked will be trampled. They will become like ashes. The Lord WILL do this. If we keep the Word in our hearts, we will prosper and have good success. The Lord told them He was sending Elijah to prepare the people (Jesus said John the Baptist fulfilled this – Matthew 11:14). The Messiah would come and if the people were ready, He would heal their hearts. If they were NOT ready, they would be cursed and not redeemed. Thank the Lord john the Baptist succeeded in his mission (Luke 1:17).

Summary

Key Players: God, Malachi

Key Verse(s): Malachi 1:1-5, 12-14; 2:1-2, 17; 3:1-4, 6-12, 16-18; 4:5-6