Lets Meet MALACHI
!!
.. ( Study No. 1)
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INTRODUCTION
Who wrote this
Book ? It may sound like a silly question but John
Calvin suggests it was penned by Ezra.
And H.L. Ellison says it is
anonymous. The problem is that the Hebrew word translated Malachi simply
means messenger. So it could be
it should not have been translated as Malachi but simply left as
messenger. But we will use Malachi as
his name in our study.
When was it
written? About 400 years
before the New Testament commences. He is the last of the Old Testament
prophets, just after the days of Ezra and Nehemiah.
About 400 B.C.
Why was it written? Because the Jews had begun to slip away from the Lord
again.
The sins that had caused their captivity in Babylon
had resurfaced.
How did Malachi write ?
In a very orderly, well outlined manner. And
he asks a series of seven questions to
priests and people
and tells us how he knows they would answer.
See 1:2; 1:6; 1:7; 2:17; 3:7; 3:8; 3:13.
OUTLINE
(A) Rebuking
the Nation ! (1:1-5 )
* Concerning Nations , not Individuals !
* Concerning
Service , not Salvation.
* Concerning
Ingratitude and Impiety.
.
.
.
(B) Rebuking
the Priests (1:6-14
)
* Their Unworthy Offerings ( 1: 7-8,13)
* Their Unfaithful
Service. (1:10)
* Their Unreliable Guidance. ( (1:8,12, 2:8)
* Their Unavoidable Judgment ! (2:1-3)
.
IN CONTRAST
Gods Faithful Priest. (2:4-7)
* Reverent in his worship. (2:5)
* Reliable in his words. (2:6a , 7 )
* Righteous in his walk. (2:6b)
....
( C) Rebuking the People ( 2:10- 4:3)
* Divorcing their Wives. ( 2:10-16)
* Denying Gods Justice ! (2:17; 3:14;)
* Defrauding Gods Storehouse. (3:8-12)
IN CONTRAST
Gods
Faithful People (3:16- 4:4)
* Reverent in their word and walk. ( 3:16a.)
* Recorded in
Gods Book ! (3:16b)
* Rescued from
coming judgment. ( 3:17-4:1)
* Rejoicing in
their salvation (4:2)
* Remembering
His laws. (4:4)
..
..
(D ) Reminding the Nation ( 4:4-6)
* The Messenger is Coming ( 4:5-6) (3:1)
* The Messiah
is Coming ( 4:5) (3:1)
(A) Rebuking the Nation ! (1:1-5 )
1 This is the message that the LORD gave to Israel
through the prophet Malachi.
2"I have loved you deeply," says the LORD.
But you retort, "Really? How have you loved us?"
And the LORD replies, "I showed my love for you by loving your ancestor
Jacob. Yet Esau was Jacob's brother, 3and I rejected Esau and
devastated his hill country. I turned Esau's inheritance into a desert for
jackals."
4And Esau's descendants in Edom may say, "We have been
shattered, but we will rebuild the ruins."
But this is what the LORD Almighty says: "They may try to rebuild, but I
will demolish them again! Their country will be known as `The Land of
Wickedness,' and their people will be called `The People with Whom the LORD Is
Forever Angry.' 5When you see the destruction for yourselves, you
will say, `Truly, the LORD's great
power reaches far beyond our borders!' "
There are various problems here especially in the K.J.V. that translates vs.2b-3a as I loved Jacob and I hated Esau.
* So the first thing to say is that we have here a
Hebraic figure of speech. Hate simply
means to love less. It certainly does
not mean every Israelite was to be saved and every descendant of Esau ( the
Edomites ) were to be damned. God does
not elect some to be saved and some to be lost
even before they are born. Salvation is available to all peoples. God is
not willing that any should perish. ( 2 Peter 3:9) That is a matter of individual choice. This text in Malachi is simply
a matter of comparison
not Calvinism!
* So what does it mean
? Jacob (Israel) was chosen to be the
father of Gods servant nation. It was
an election to service
not salvation. In His sovereignty, God
chose the nation of Israel to be His witnesses to other nations.. (
Isaiah 43:10) And they failed. So the
task was taken from them. (Matthew 21:43) In the New Testament we read that
they are replaced by a new nation ( 1 Peter 2:9)
the church.
We who belong to Christ are
His witnesses today. ( Acts 1:8)
..
*Notice the
ingratitude of the Israelites of Malachis day . Fancy asking How has God
loved us ?( vs. 2) Yet it is not so
different from the attitude of millions today.
The greatest proof of His love, of course, is found at Calvary.
Inscribed upon the Cross
I see
In shining letters ,God
is Love !
He bears our sins upon
the tree
And brings us mercy from
above.(T.
Kelly)
*Not only the ingratitude
of Israel is mentioned here but the impiety of the Edomites.
As a nation they
became more and more godless as the years went on. They were the constant
enemies of Israel . And so, by the time Malachi wrote , there doom was
sealed.
They were
destroyed never to rise again. Nor did
they.
..
*In verse 5
Malachi tells the Jews that when they see Edoms destruction they will realise
the greatness of their God. For the LORD ( Jehovah !) is not just the God of
Israel
but of every nation.
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Blind Leaders of
the Blind !! ( Studies in
Malachi No. 2 A)
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INTRODUCTION Malachi lashes out in righteous anger at the ungodly priests of his day . Just as the Lord Jesus did in His day at the religious leaders, those blind leaders of the blind ! (Matthew 15:14)
Whilst it is true that this passage may primarily apply to those in leadership a position, yet the New Testament tells us that every Christian is a priest in Gods sight. ( 1 Peter 2:5) We are called to offer up spiritual sacrifices of praise. (Hebrews 13: 15-16) Our giving to Gods work is spoken of as a sacrifice. (Philippians 4:18) And we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice in His service. ( Romans 12:1-2)
So what Malachi has to say here enshrines certain truths for Christians today.
(1) UNWORTHY OFFERINGS
Malachi 1: 6The LORD Almighty says
to the priests: "A son honors his father, and a servant respects his
master. I am your father and master, but where are the honor and respect I
deserve? You have despised my name! "But you ask, `How have we ever
despised your name?'
7"You have despised my name by offering defiled sacrifices on
my altar.
"Then you ask, `How have we defiled the sacrifices ?'
"You defile them by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect. 8When
you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn't that wrong? And isn't it wrong to
offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to
your governor, and see how pleased he is!" says the LORD Almighty.
Old Testament animal sacrifices were to be without blemish ( Exodus 12:5 etc ! etc !) They typified the sinless Lamb of God who was yet to come. But these priests offered such upon the altar. Try giving an offering like that, says the Lord, to your Persian governor
(to whom the Jews were paying tribute at this time in
their history ) and see if he accepts it ! ( vs. 8) God expects our best , not our cast-offs.
Missionary C.T. Studd , founder of the World-wide Evangelization Crusade, had as his motto, If Jesus Christ be God and died for me , then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him ! Beware of unworthy offerings
..
(2) UNFAITHFUL
SERVICE
There are two different
thoughts that arise from two different translations.
* In the King James version we have this
Who is there among you that will shut the doors for naught ? ( KJV)
( Malachi 1:10)
The motivation for their
service is greed. Financial
consideration should never be a contributing factor in the Lords service. We
serve out of love for Him whether there be remuneration
. or not !
* But the Living Bible renders this verse
"I wish that someone among you would shut the
Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not
at all pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will not
accept your offerings.
The thought here is that the
Lord cannot find one faithful priest who will stand up against the corrupt one
and slam the Temple door on their worthless offerings.
Martin Luther naturally
comes to mind; he who dared defy the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church in
his day and , as a result , launched the Protestant Reformation.
Religious leaders (and for
that matter , every New Testament priest ) are called upon to contend for
the Faith once delivered. ( Jude vs.3)
One of the major heresies of
our day is the Prosperity Gospel
the teaching that God will financially
reward you if you give ( especially ) to their ministry ! Those who give such offerings with an eye on getting a financial return are not giving to God from the right motive.
It is an unworthy offering based on the teaching of unfaithful preachers.
..
(3) UNRELIABLE
GUIDANCE
Malachi 2: . 8
You have left God's paths. Your `guidance' has caused many to stumble into sin.
You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites," says the LORD
Almighty.
It is the duty of religious leaders to feed the flock and to wage war with the wolves that would attack the flock. How seldom is this latter aspect heard from the pulpit !
Young Christians need to be warned of the false teachers that abound on every side.
Thousands of Christians are
being deceived today
by false teachers, writes Billy Graham. ( World Aflame
p. 88-89) Thousands !!
Many denominations are ordaining gay ministers in spite of the Scriptural condemnation of such. ( Romans 1: 26-32) In many pulpits and theological seminaries the Bible is looked upon as containing Jewish fables and Babylonian myths instead of being accepted as the Word of the Living God.
(4)
UNAVOIDABLE JUDGMENT
This may shock you
but it is little different from the language
of the Lord Jesus when He denounced the apostate religious leaders of His day.
Malachi 2: 1"Listen, you priests;
this command is for you! 2Listen to me and take it to heart. Honor
my name," says the LORD Almighty, "or I will bring a terrible curse
against you. I will curse even the blessings you receive. Indeed, I have
already cursed them, because you have not taken my warning seriously. 3I
will rebuke your descendants and splatter your faces with the dung of your
festival sacrifices, and I will add you to the dung heap.
Judgement awaits the unfaithful priest and remember, every Christian is a priest in Gods eyes.
CONCLUSION
Lord, may my offerings to Thee be acceptable in Thy sight,
may my service to Thee be faithful and my lips and life give guidance to others
of the way Thou wouldst have them live. Amen.
(Another study on the
Corrupt Priesthood )
A Blast for the Priests !! ( Studies in
Malachi No. 2B )
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Malachi ,
prophet of God , brings a series of indictments against the priests of Israel.
Bear in mind as we study
these verses that, in the New Testament, Christians are spoken of as priests !! ( 1 Peter 2:5) We do not offer up animal sacrifices
we offer
the sacrifice of praise. ( Hebrews 13:15)
And, in a very real sense, that
which Malachi condemns in these Old Testament priests carries a lesson
and a warning
for us.
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(1) Their Offerings were
Unworthy. ( 1:7-8)
7"You have despised my
name by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.
"Then you ask, `How have we defiled the sacrifices ?'
"You defile them by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect. 8When
you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn't that wrong? And isn't it wrong to
offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to
your governor, and see how pleased he is!" says the LORD Almighty.
Sacrifices upon the altar , offered to God , were supposed to be without blemish. God deserves our best. Instead these priests offered the blind and crippled things that the Persian governor, to whom they were paying taxes at this time, would have rejected.
..
(2) Their Service was Unacceptable (1:10)
10"I wish that someone
among you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could
not be offered! I am not at all pleased with you," says the LORD
It is as if one faithful priest could not be found to slam the temple doors upon these who would offer unacceptable offerings. Or there is another translation which reads
Who is there
among you that would shut the doors for naught ? ( K.J.V.)
Unless they were paid for doing it, they would not carry out this simple responsibility !
God forbid that earthly ( or even Heavenly !!) reward should influence our service to the Lord.
.
(3) Their Guidance was Unreliable . ( 2:8)
You have left God's paths.
Your `guidance' has caused many to stumble into sin.
Blind leaders of the blind ! ( Matthew 15:14 )
And it behoves us who name the Name of Christ to set a good example and know our Bible well enough to not be guilty of a similar censure.
..
(4) Their Judgment is
Unavoidable ! (2:1-3 )
1"Listen, you priests; this command is for you! 2Listen
to me and take it to heart. Honor my name," says the LORD Almighty,
"or I will bring a terrible curse against you. I will curse even the
blessings you receive. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you have not
taken my warning seriously. 3I will rebuke your descendants and
splatter your faces with the dung of your festival sacrifices, and I will add
you to the dung heap.
Yuk !! But its an Old Testament way of saying what the Lord Jesus said in the New Testament Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of Hell? ( Matthew 23:33) It is a solemn responsibility to be one of the Lords priests !
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But thats not the end of Malachis message. It is also a glorious privilege !!
By contrast to those of whom he just spoke , the prophet now speaks of why God raised up the priestly line. And what a priest should be like !
(a) Beneficent in their Influence (2:5 )
5"The
purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and this
is what I gave them.
Their message was to bring people into a relationship with God . What a privilege !
(b) Reverent in his Worship ! (2:5)
This called for
reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name.
They took their ministry seriously , realising that they were servants of a Holy God.
(c) Reliable in their Witness. (2:6-7)
6They passed on to the people
all the truth they received from me. They did not lie or cheat;
and they
turned many from lives of sin. 7The priests' lips should guard
knowledge, and people should go to them for instruction, for the priests are
the messengers of the LORD Almighty.
Faithful teaching came from their pure lips.
(d) Righteous in their Walk. (6b)
they walked with me,
living good and righteous lives,
They practiced what they preached. Life and lip agreed.
..
CONCLUSION
If I am one of Gods priests today
a Christian
what would Malachi say to me ?
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How to be a
Faithful Priest !
( Studies in Malachi No. 3)
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INTRODUCTION
In contrast to the
unfaithful priests of his day, Malachi
records what a true priest should be like .
Malachi 2: 5"The
purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and this
is what I gave them. This called for reverence from them, and they greatly
revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6They passed on to the
people all the truth they received from me. They did not lie or cheat; they
walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from
lives of sin. 7The priests' lips should guard knowledge, and people
should go to them for instruction, for the priests are the messengers of the
LORD Almighty. (Living Bible )
As we study this passage we
remind ourselves that it applies to todays religious leaders
and, for that
matter , to every Christian . For the New Testament describes us as a kingdom and priests. ( Revelation 1:6 NIV)
(1) HE IS
REVERENT IN HIS WORSHIP
This called for reverence
from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name. (2: 5)
Reverence for the One to whom the angels sing Holy, Holy, Holy is often a missing ingredient in our churches. The Lord Jesus taught us the come into the presence of God, the Father, saying Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thou
art the great Eternal God whose height
enables
Thee to stoop,
Whose
holiness is undefiled
to
handle hearts that droop.
How
Thou canst think of me so well
and
be the God Thou art
is
darkness to my intellect
but
sunshine to my heart.
( F.W. Faber alt. )
And such a realization should cause us to come into His presence boldly and yet with holy awe.
But there are some churches where the services are more akin to a rock concert. And there are some churches where Christians dress as if they were going to football match instead of to meet the King of Kings.
(2) HE IS RELIABLE IN
HIS WORDS
They passed on to the people
all the truth they received from me. They did not lie or cheat;
7The priests' lips should guard knowledge, and people
should go to them for instruction,
for the priests are the messengers of the LORD Almighty.( 2:6-7)
They taught the Word of God sincerely and honestly. There was no trimming down the message to be a crowd-pleaser. No twisting of Gods Word from what it obviously meant.
(3) HE IS RIGHTEOUS IN
HIS WALK
they walked with me, living good and
righteous lives, ( 2:6)
May your priests be clothed with rightousness (Psalm 132:6) Their priestly garments of fine twined linen was symbolic of their required holy walk. ( Exodus 28:39;42; Rev. 19:8)
So let our life and lip express
the Holy Gospel we profess.
(I.Watts)
(4) HE IS RESPONSIBLE IN HIS
WITNESS
The purpose of my covenant
with the Levites was to bring life and peace,
and they turned many from lives of sin. (2:5,6)
A priest is to lead people into fellowship with God. Such was the responsibility laid upon the priesthood originally and such a faithful priest fulfilled ! In New Testament terminology, we are to introduce others to the Lord Jesus who alone brings life and peace. Such is our responsibility and privilege !
CONCLUSION
The sixth verse is found on the tomb of the Reverend Jonathan Edwards , great preacher of a past generation. Could it be placed on my tomb ?
On yours ?
The law of truth was in his mouth, and
unrighteousness was not found in his lips: He walked with me in peace and
uprightness and did turn many away from iniquity. (Malachi 2:6 KJV)
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Sins of the People ! (Studies in Malachi No. 4)
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INTRODUCTION
Malachi now turns his attention from the Priests to the people, indicting them for their
sinful acts and sinful attitude .
.
(1) A GRIEVOUS
MISCONDUCT ( 2:10-16)
10Are we not all children of
the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why are we
faithless to each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors? 11In
Judah, in Israel, and in Jerusalem there is treachery, for the men of Judah
have defiled the LORD's beloved sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols. 12May
the LORD cut off from the nation of Israel every last man who has done this and yet
brings an offering to the LORD Almighty.
13Here is another thing you do. You cover the LORD's altar with
tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings, and
he doesn't accept them with pleasure.
14You cry out, "Why has
the LORD abandoned us?" I'll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the
vows you and your wife made to each other on your wedding day when you were
young. But you have been disloyal to her, though she remained your faithful
companion, the wife of your marriage vows.
15Didn't the LORD make you one
with your wife? In body and spirit you are his.[2]
And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard yourself;
remain loyal to the wife of your youth.
16"For I hate divorce!" says the LORD, the
God of Israel.
"It is as cruel as putting on a victim's bloodstained
coat," says the LORD Almighty. "So guard yourself; always remain
loyal to your wife."( New Living Trans.)
There are two matters here divorce and remarriage; ever a thorny problem for Bible commentators. Christians are widely divided on this subject.
(a) The Old Testament context.
Whilst it is true that God hates divorce(vs.16), yet He well knew the problem sin would bring to mankind and permitted it. ( Deuteronomy 24:1-4)
Matthew
19:7"Then
why did Moses say a man could merely write an official letter of divorce and
send her away?" they asked.
8Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce as a concession to
your hard-hearted wickedness, but it was not what God had originally intended.
But in Malachis day the blatant, cruel divorcing of wives just to marry a heathen woman was far from Gods intention. (2:11) No godly children will result from such a union.(2:15) And idolatry would rear its ugly head among Gods people once again.
Some commentators , depending upon which translation is being used , interpret those weeping at the altar as being the deserted wives. (2:13)
(b) The New Testament Context .
A clue to our Lords words concerning divorce and remarriage lies in the fact that not all His commands have a universal, nor perpetual effect.
For example He tells the Rich Ruler to sell all he has (Luke 18:22); He tells his disciples to go and preach without money or shoes (Matthew 10:9-10); He tells a mute to tell no one about his healing (Mark 7:36); He tells his disciples to wash one anothers feet ( John 13:14-15).
These were specific commands related to a specific situation. And our Lords word concerning divorce ( Matthew 19: 9) was in reply to a particular conflict by two famous rabbis concerning their interpretation of the Mosaic law. He is clarifying the teaching of Moses which the Pharisees were distorting.(B.W. Powers )
.
(2) A FOOLISH
MISUNDERSTANDING
Malachi 2: 17You have wearied the LORD
with your words.
"Wearied him?" you ask. "How have we wearied him?"
You have wearied him by suggesting that the LORD favours evildoers since he
does not punish them.
You have wearied him by
asking, "Where is the God of justice?"
Malachi 3
1"Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way
before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The
messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely
coming," says the LORD Almighty.
2"But who will be able
to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he
appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or like a strong
soap that whitens clothes. 3He will sit and judge like a refiner of
silver, watching closely as the dross is burned away.
He will purify the Levites,
refining them like gold or silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable
sacrifices to the LORD. 4Then once more the LORD will accept the
offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in
former times.
5At that time I will put you on trial. I will be a ready witness against all
sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat
employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the
foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,"
says the LORD Almighty.
Here is yet another of the seven question that Malachi puts into the mouth of his listeners
"Wearied
him?" you ask. "How have we wearied him?" ( 2:17)
Malachi replies that they think their God will not punish them for their sin ! He has become to them a God who takes no interest in the things of Earth.
Not so !!
These wicked Jews, who are divorcing their wives, expect the Messenger of the Covenant, the Messiah, will soon come to only bring blessing !(3:1)Instead of which He will come as their Judge. (3:5)
A messenger will announce His coming. ( 3:1 a reference to John the Baptist . Luke 1:76) And when He comes He will be as a blazing fire (3:2) He will separate the dross from the pure metal ( 3:3) ; the wheat from the tares. He will pronounce judgment on the ungodly.
But He will call
those who repent and follow Him to be His priests in the Messianic Age.
Remember,
every Christian is spoken of as a priest in 1 Peter 2:5.
The reference here to Levites (3:3) is using Old Testament language to describe
this New Testament truth. Likewise
Judah & Jerusalem (3:4) are even used in Hebrews 12:22-23 as another name
for the church.
..
CONCLUSION
The sins of these people and their misunderstanding of Gods wrath hovering over them is a reminder of our Lords solemn warning .
John 3:36And all
who believe in God's Son have eternal life. Those who don't obey the Son will
never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them."
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How to pay the Preacher
without using your own money !
( Studies in Malachi
No. 5)
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INTRODUCTION
The
title came from a preachers advertisement , announcing a forthcoming sermon I did
not get to hear! But I can certainly guess what he said. Study with me this controversial
subject of Tithing
i.e.
the giving a tenth of ones income to the work of the Lord
and see if you
agree with my conclusions.
..
Malachi 3: 6 "I the
LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7
Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees
and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the
LORD Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse-the whole
nation of you-because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe
into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,"
says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates
of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for
it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines
in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12
"Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a
delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
The Jews were sinning against
God, ... * divorcing their wives to marry heathen women ;
* denying Gods justice
and * defrauding His storehouse from whence the Levites were
supported. These priests and priestly
helpers had cities but no land. They were sustained by the food and livestock
given by Gods people. At least, they were supposed to be.
But Malachi saw that such was not happening.
He tells them that they cannot
expect Gods blessing upon their produce whilst they continue to rob Him !
(9)
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(1) THE OLD
TESTAMENT TEACHING
(a) Abraham
commenced it. (Gen. 14:18-20)
Archaeologists
have discovered clay tablets that show tithing was practiced by other peoples
prior to the time of Abraham. There seems to be no Divine command for Abraham
to give tithes to Melchizedek. He followed the custom of the day.
Tertullian, an
early Church Father , makes the unproven ( and unprovable) claim that the reason God rejected Cains offering
was because Cain had failed to tithe !
(b) Jacob
continued it. (Genesis
28:20-22)
In a rather
selfish prayer , at Bethel , Jacob bargains with God saying IF you bless me
I will give
you a tenth
(c) Moses
confirmed it. (Leviticus
27:30)
Now tithing of
crops and livestock becomes part of the
Mosaic Law. For that matter , the
Israelites are commanded to give far more than a tenth.
Beside
the tithe to support the priestly tribe of Levi, there was the annual half-shekel
paid to the Temple funds. ( Exodus
30:13) And the cost of compulsory
sacrifices
throughout the
year.
Fred Mitchell
writes
The Israelites must have given
about a third of their income.
( The
Stewardship of Money. P. 24 )
(d) Malachi Commanded it ! (Malachi 3:8-10)
Not to tithe is
robbing God says the prophet ! Or, more specifically, says the Lord !( vs. 6)
This would have been the
afore-mentioned preachers text. One
has not even given an offering to the Lord until after one has tithed ! Note
the distinction between the two in verse 8.
If you only give a tithe, he would have said, you are not using
your own money, you are using the Lords !
(e) The Lord
Jesus commended it ! ( Matthew 23:23.)
In this chapter
where He denounces the Pharisees with nine woes! ( count em !) He has one good word to say concerning
these religious leaders. They tithed
! They even tithed minutely
down to
the smallest seeds. !!
Whilst this text
is in the New Testament , it is before Calvary and the Birth of the
Church at Pentecost. Did the law concerning tithing then change for Christians
???
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(2) THE NEW
TESTAMENT TEACHING
(a) Paul
Ignored it !! Or, for the sake
of alliteration, .. countermanded the teaching with a Christian
alternative!
What Paul says
is that all we have belongs to God. Ye are not your own! (1 Corinth. 6:20)
Three whole chapters ( 1
Corinthians 16 ; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9)
are devoted to this matter of
giving in the New Testament and tithing is not once mentioned. In spite of the fact that he was writing to Corinth where the majority of
church members had probably never tithed in their life
or even heard about it
!! Instead, the apostle simply tells
them to
give as God has prospered
them. He lays down no rules as to a specific amount. ( 1 Corinth. 16:2)
(b) The Writer of Hebrews
mentions it.
It is true that
tithing is mentioned five times in the Epistle to the Hebrews but each
reference has to do with what the Jews did in Old Testament days. (Heb.
7:5,6,8,9.)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(3) THE CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION !!
So what else needs to be said concerning this
matter of Christian giving ?
(a) There is
the Danger of Legality.
We do not give
because we have to
but because we want to ! Making it a condition of Church membership as Seventh Day
Adventists and Mormons do is far removed from New Testament teaching.
Nevertheless,
it IS true that the giving of these cults far outstrips other denominations and
enables them to grow more effectively.
Nor do they scatter their giving among a dozen different organizations
it all goes to their own work.
(b) There is
the Danger of a Selfish Motivation.
Many a T.V.
evangelist majors on financial appeals, promising financial reward (from God)
to those who support his particular work.
Kenneth Copelands promise that those who give to his ministry will receive a hundred-fold return is
ludicrous ! (Gods Will is Prosperity. p.
64-5)
God is no mans debtor and
rewards for unselfish giving may come in this life or the next
but to give
with the motive of getting is anti-Christian.
(c ) There is the Danger of Storehouse Tithing.
The Old Testament taught that
all gifts went to the Storehouse from whence it was distributed to support
the Levites. ( Malachi 3:10) That does not
mean all monies are to be give to some central body today for distribution as they
see fit. We must be sure our money is
supporting those who are faithful to the Gospel
and, alas
not all those
supported by a denominational central fund maybe worthy of our giving.
(d) There is a
Danger of Self Satisfaction
By insisting
upon a tenth of ones income to be given to the Lord may mean a person who can
afford much more than a tenth feels he
has done his bit when he tithes.
Lets have an
example
* Joe has a wife and three small children and
a mortgage and a low income job. He has school fees and house payments and
medical bills
and after he tithes he finds things pretty difficult to meet
his commitments.
* Fred, on the
other hand , is single , lives at home with parents , has a high income job and
after he tithes he still has ten times more left over than Joe ! But hes
tithed
and he feels satisfied that thats all he is required to do. Is it ?
It should be
pointed out that in Old Testament days tithing supported priests who looked
after education , meeting the needs of
the poor, healing , etc. Does Joe have
to pay a tenth
or can he take
into consideration some of these things which are now covered by his taxes ?
(e) There is
the Danger of Disobeying the New Testament Teaching !
1 Corinth.
16:2.
* Our Giving
is to be Personal
beware of having others direct where your money
is going ! Let every man
*Our Giving
is to be Provident ( i.e. looking to future needs that may arise. lay by him in store
*Our Giving
is to be Proportionate
as God
has prospered him.
* Our Giving
is to be Private . Neither
pastor , priest nor Pope ( nor even Prout !)
can tell you how much to give
and Paul didnt say it had to be
a tithe !
..
CONCLUSION
The first thing
to do , says Paul, is give yourself to the Lord as did those good folk
at Macedonia ( 2 Corinth. 8:5)
and
then everything else will fall into place.
If you love the Lord, there is no need for
rules. ( 2 Corinth. 8:8)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bright Gems for His Crown
( Studies in Malachi No. 6)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INTRODUCTION
Having attacked the practices
of the corrupt priesthood ( 1:6-2:3,
8-9)
and compared them to how a faithful priest behaves ( 2:4-7), and having
spoken out against the sins of the people
( 3:2:10-3:15), Malachi now
introduces us to a faithful remnant
a small group within the nation who are
still true to their God.
Malachi 3: 16 Then those who
feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard.
A scroll of
remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the
LORD and honoured
his name.
17 "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in
the day when I make up my treasured possession.
(1) Their Reverent Behaviour.
..
They feared the
Lord
Fear, in this context, speaks of a loving reverence toward
God. It is a fear that we will
disappoint Him by the things we do or say.
These Israelites did not bring unworthy sacrifices to the priests for sacrifice. They did not question Gods love
or His justice as so many
around them were doing. They had
acknowledged Him
Jehovah !
as their
God and sought to be holy in their walk before Him.
.
(2) Their Holy Conversation
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other
There was fellowship
not with
the ungodly
but with each other.
As Hebrews 10: 24-25 says , Christians are to consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all
the more as you see the Day approaching.
The Living Bible translates
Malachi 3:16
.
Those who feared
and loved the Lord spoke often of Him
An indication of our spiritual
condition will be revealed by the things we talk about the most.
..
(3) Their Divine Listener
or shall we say Eavesdropper ?
and the LORD
listened and heard.
Our God is no deaf and dumb idol
but a Living God who not only listens but understands whether it is truthful or
not , whether the words are kind or cruel , whether what we say is
health-giving or hurtful. His ear is not
heavy that it cannot hear
Isaiah 59:1.
(4) Their Everlasting Memorial
.
A scroll of
remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the
LORD and honoured
his name.
The language is symbolic ( or
anthropomorphic !)
God does not need
a written record to remember who loves Him.
The Lord knoweth them that are His ! ( 2 Timothy 2:19)
The Apostle John uses similar language to Malachi when he tells of
the Book of Life and those whose names are recorded therein. ( Revelation
20:12-15)
(5) Their Precious Keeping !
17 "They will
be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my
treasured possession.
We who have trusted Jesus as
Saviour and Lord await the Day of His returning when He comes to take us Home
to Glory.
Hallelujah !
CONCLUSION
William Cushing wrote a
delightful childrens hymn based on this text
When
He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
Refrain
Like
the stars of the morning,
His brightness adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.
He
will gather, He will gather
The gems for His kingdom;
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and His own.
..
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Second Coming of Elijah !!
(Studies in Malachi, No. 7)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Behold, I will send you Elijah the
prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers
to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come
and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4:5-6)
These
are the closing words in the Old Testament. But what do they mean?
Is
the prophet Elijah really coming again??
* * * * * * * * * * *
1. CONFUSING VIEWS
(a) Some have claimed to be this prophet.
John
Alexander Dowie; William Branham; and a Taiwanese fellow
named Elijah Hong, to name a few.
(b) Some cults have claimed that their organisation is the
fulfilment of Malachis words.
Jehovahs
Witnesses; Seventh Day Adventists; Christian Scientists; British Israelites, etc., have all claimed
to be Elijah.
.
(c) Some think Elijah will come again personally.
The
orthodox Jew does. Many evangelical
Bible students take the prophecy of Malachi literally.
2. THE CORRECT VIEW
I think!
(a) Luke quotes this prophecy and applies it to John the Baptist :
For he shall be great in the sight of the
Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. And he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mothers
womb. And many of the children of
Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn
the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of
the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:11-17).
(b) But more emphatic is the word of Christ Himself
But what went yet out for to see? A prophet?
Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold I send My
messenger before thy face, which shall prepare the way before thee. Verily I
say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater
than John the Baptist. Notwithstanding
he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.And if ye
will receive it, this is Elijah, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (
Matthew 11:9- 11).
( Verse 11 is a puzzle to
many. Was not John the Baptist in the
Kingdom of Heaven? It could mean that Christ who was least (i.e. younger) was
greater than John. And humanly speaking
there was none greater than he! Mmmmm??
)
(c) More emphatic again is Matthew 17:10-13 :
And His disciples asked Him saying, Why then
say the scribes that Elijah must first come?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah
truly shall first come, and restore all things (verse 11). But I say unto you, that Elijah has come
already,
and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they pleased. Likewise shall also the Son of Man suffer of
them.Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the
Baptist.
The
key to understanding this conversation lies in seeing verse 11 as a quote from
the Old Testament. The Lord Jesus says:
Yes, the Old Testament says Elijah will come again. BUT I SAY UNTO YOU
hes been already!!
And
the disciples realised what a lot of todays commentators do not. Jesus was saying that John the Baptist was
the fulfilment of Malachis prediction.
Says
Matthew Henry
Christians know very well that John the Baptist was the Elijah
that was to come (Note on
Malachi 4:5-6).
.
3. CLUES TO INTERPRETATION
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth
not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Timothy 2:15).
(a) Dont take everything in the Bible literally!!
*
Of course, the historical narratives are true. Literally true !!
*
But there is also poetry
and poets do not always use
historical
language to describe historical events (Isaiah 55:12).
*
And there is prophetical language
symbols and word pictures (e.g.
Revelation 13
)
And
here in Malachi 4
the New Testament says it is fulfilled by John.
He was not literally Elijah
but he fulfilled the prophecy!
And this is the record of John, when the Jews
sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he said, I am not! (John 1:19-21).
.
(b) Dont apply every Old Testament prophecy to our day and the End
of the World.
The
Day of the Lord in Malachi 4:5-6 refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by
the Romans in AD 70.
.
(c) Dont neglect to study related Scriptures.
If
we only had the Old Testament we might be justified in thinking Elijah would
return. But thats not how the New
Testament interprets it for us.
.
(d) Dont swallow everything a forceful preacher has to say.
Check
the Book! Like the Bereans :
These were more noble than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed
(Acts
17:11).
.
(e) Dont part company with fellow believers over secondary issues
but cling to the fundamentals of the Faith!!
Amen.
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