God's Jewel Box Series

God’s Jewel Box

Malachi Series

Malachi 3.16-18

July 28, 2013

Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction:

Malachi 3:16-18 (NASB) 16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. 17 "They will be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." 18 So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

A Malachi has thus far been writing to the discordant voices in Israel.

1 People who had fallen out of love with God, worship of God, & His Word.

a They had robbed God w/ their tithe, brought unfit sacrifices, Priests were no longer in love with God (or ministry.)

b These were the voices of displeasure, distrust, & disgust.

aa 1.2, “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How hast Thou loved us?”

bb 1.6, “. . . where is My honor? . . . where is My respect? Says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, “How have despised They name?”

cc 1.7, “You are presenting defiled food upon My alter. But you say, ‘How have we defiled them?’”

dd 1.13, “You also say, My, how tiresome it is! And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says the Lord of hosts,

ee 2.8, “But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant.”

ff 2.17, “You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, “How have we wearied Him?”

gg 3.7, “ . . . Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’”

hh 3.8, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed Thee?”

ii 3.13, “Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says the LORD. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against Thee?”

kk 3.14, “You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before the Lord of hosts?”

2 Not everybody in Israel was mad, disgusted, disobedient to God: There were some who desired God. (Remnant who remained faithful.)

a Exact opposite of the people addressed in Mal. 1.6-8.

Malachi 1:6-8 (NASB) 6 " 'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Your name?' 7 "You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, 'How have we defiled You?' In that you say, 'The table of the LORD is to be despised.' 8 "But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts.

aa They honored Him as Father, respected Him as Master.

bb They brought the right sacrifices, right attitudes, right times, & with right hearts.

b Malachi does acknowledge these people in 4.2, as those “ . . . who fear My name. . .”

Malachi 4:2 (NASB) 2 "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.

aa YHWH, “I AM.”

bb Their reverence of the Lord was the basis for their relationship with each other. (3.16)

Malachi 3:16 (NASB) 16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name.

c They came together with other folks (different levels of wealth, intellect, influence) because they all loved the Lord.

d 3.16, “For those who fear (revered) the Lord and who esteem His name.” NASB; For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name. Mal 3:16 (NKJV)

aa Esteem/Mediate means to “focus one’s mind on something of great value.”

bb This remnant of faithful people valued one thing above all else: the name of YHWH!