Malachi 3:1-6 GETTING READY FOR A COMING LORD
The Book can be divided into 2 divisions:
(Chapter 1-2) The Condition of the People. (Chapter 3-4) The Coming of the Lord.
The Book of Malachi is a Closing book. It is the last book of the Old Testament.
It is also a Connecting book. tells of :- John the Baptist.
It is a Contemporary book. it is as relevant today as when it was written.
" The message of Malachi is not exclusive to that age, but inclusive of all ages.
Finally it is a Challenging book. It is a challenge to get ready for the coming of the Lord.
1. THE COMMISSION OF THE PROPHET!
A. Malachi The Man. - He was the "messenger of God."
He was a man submitted to God. He was also a man sent by God.
James A. Stewart in his book "Heaven's Throne Gift" gives 4 great principles. He says:
What God claims, I yield. What I yield, God accepts. What God accepts, He fills. What God fills, He uses. "God is not looking for ability, but availability.
B. Malachi The Messenger.
Ch 1:1, "The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi."
It was a heavy message. His message was called a "burden." - heavy upon his heart.
It was a heavenly message. His message was called "the Word of the Lord."
It was a hard message. The message was "to Israel."
The message was not sent to comfort, but to convict.
It was not a message of commendation, but one of condemnation.
2. THE CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE!
A. The Announcements Of God. 7 times God made an announcement to the people.
They Denied His Love Malachi 1:2, "I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob."
They Despised His Name Malachi 1:6, "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?"
They Defiled His Altar Malachi 1:7, "Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible."
They Defied His Patience Malachi 2:17, "Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?"
They Deserted His Fellowship Malachi 3:7, "Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?"
They Debated His Command Malachi 3:8, " Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."
They Despaired Of His Service Malachi 3:13, "Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?"
B. The Answers Of The People. - "Wherein.".
Their Spiritual Ignorance: (They did not know) Spiritual Indifference: (They did not care)
Spiritual Incompliance: (They did not listen) Spiritual Impertinence: (They argued with God)
The Temple was rebuilt, the altar is set up, the sacrifices are offered, and the feasts observed.
Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
3. THE CORRUPTION OF THE PRIESTS!
A. The Requirements Of Dedicated Leadership.
Malachi 2:1, "And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you."
Malachi 2:7, "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts."
Dedicated leadership is a growing leadership. The priests were to "keep knowledge."
Dedicated leadership is a guiding leadership. "They should seek the law of His mouth."
Dedicated leadership is a godly leadership. "Messengers of the Lord of Hosts."
They should be a reflection of the one they serve.
B. The Reprimand Of Defiled Leadership.
Malachi 3:7, "Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?"
Instead of consecrated leadership, there was corrupt leadership.
There was individual corruption. They had departed out of the way.
There was influential corruption. They led others astray.
4. THE COMING OF THE PRINCE!
1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
[3:1] "behold" is a means of emphasis that something startling is on the verge of taking place.
(a) He Will Surely Come - I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me:
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
(b) He Will Suddenly Come - "suddenly' means "unexpected."
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh
There should be a wanting of His return. a waiting for His return. a watching for His return.
(c) He Will Searchingly Come - 2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
A Confrontation By The Lord. II Cor.5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
(d) He Will Solemnly Come - A Condemnation By The Lord. 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
