Malachi

Malachi 1:1-5

The first statement from Yahweh is:

• "I have loved you." 

The term used for 'love' is one that reveals election or choice.  God chose them and loved them; this is God's commitment from the beginning of the covenant relationship with Abraham.  Even though they had dishonored, disregarded and disobeyed Him to the point of judgment and exile, He never stopped loving them. 

The response from the people:

• "In what way have You loved us?"

The NIV and ESV change the 'in what way' to 'how'.  It is somewhat assumed this is a hypothetical response, but there is no reason to believe it doesn't reflect their heart.  We could all be found guilty of this at some point or another.  They may have thought, "God, if you really love us, why aren't things going better?"  The attitude of the people would have been astonishment at this statement of love as they asked in their heart, "How have you loved us? What do you mean? We don't see this at all!"

How is it that people who worshiped, who sacrificed, who supposedly walked in the ways of God did not understand this love.  They were, in fact, a remnant of God's grace.  They were preserved because of His faithfulness to His covenant.  God would have been perfectly just in permanently wiping these people out.  Their election in God was according to Him, not them.  Because of this, they could find assurance of His love.  In spite of all their failings, they were still elect; God still loved them. 

What's the evidence of God's love?  He the evidence is that the eldest son Esau was not chosen while Jacob was chosen.  One was loved, the other hated.  The word 'hated' is the opposite of the technical term for 'love'; both technical.  One chosen for covenant, the other not chosen for covenant.  Esau was in fact blessed (Gen 33:9; 36:1-43).  Why?  Because God, in His sovereignty and wisdom did this.  This is striking contrast that could have just as easily been the other way as far as they were concerned.  Spurgeon notes that many are troubled by the idea God hated Esau; but more troubling should be the thought of why he would ever love Jacob!

Both Israel and Edom, the nations of Jacob and Esau, were judged.  Israel was forgiven and restored by God's mercy.  Edom was left in the miserable, brokenness; in the wake if just judgment brought on by its sin.  The status of Edom won't change and they will remain laid waste.  Likewise, Israel should see the assurance of election; their status of the elect won't change either because its based on His promise and faithfulness. 

Malachi 1:6-8

Why is the chosen son Jacob not showing honor to his father and master?  It seems they wanted to be the son but did not want to honor or acknowledge their father.  The evidence of the son honoring this father was a fear, reverence or high regard.  This was missing and Yahweh wanted to know why. 

The second disputation is in response to the lack of honor and reverence toward God and is directed at the priests:

• Where is my honor and where is my reverence God asked the priests who despised His Name?

The word for despise could also be translated 'contempt'.  God felt as though the priests considered Him worthless and undeserving of their time and worship. 

The priests are quick to respond:

• In what way have we despised You name?

This was just a ludicrous idea; after all they did all the daily sacrifice, they gave money, worshiped, etc.  They were very pleased with their performance toward God and thought He should also be pleased.  It's almost like they wanted to enter into an argument about God's judgment, after all, he was clearly wrong, they were very good and religious folks who didn't despise Him. 

The irony is, the rebuttal to the disputation shows the very contempt they deny having.  What clergy wants to talk about the shortcomings of clergy?  Are we even capable of seeing our shortcomings?  I think it is only in the closest of walks with our eyes on the Lord could we come close to seeing the contempt we show.  The puritan Richard Baxter worked among disciplined ministers with a high standard of piety.  He wrote this:

"The great and lamentable sin of ministers of the gospel is that they are not fully devoted to God. They do not give themselves up wholly to the blessed work they have undertaken to do.

"Is it not true that flesh-pleasing and self-seeking interests—distinct from that of Christ—make us neglect our duty and lead us to walk unfaithfully in the great trust that God has given us? Is it not true that we serve God too cheaply? Do we not do so in the most applauded way? Do we not withdraw from that which would cost us the most suffering? Does not all this show that we seek earthly rather than heavenly things? And that we mind the things which are below? While we preach for the realities which are above, do we not idolize the world?

"So what remains to be said, brethren, but to cry that we are all guilty of too many of the aforementioned sins. Do we not need to humble ourselves in lamentation for our miscarriages before the Lord?"^[1]

The third disputation follows quickly as a follow-up to the second and is still aimed at the priests:

• You offer defiled food on My altar.

We can again imagine this astonishment of the priests, as if to say, "What?  What are you talking about?  Defiled food?"  Their sacrifices had just become a business, an action; meaningless and rote.  They weren't even aware of their offense. 

God then offered His evidence to uphold His statements.  The table of the Lord was sacred; this is referring to the altar at the temple.  The altar should have been highly respected and honored but it wasn't; it was held in low regard.  The law outlined the proper sacrifice.  Instead, they offered:

• The blind, the lame and sick.

The sacrifice was their worship.  We know these sacrifices were a picture of the perfect sacrifice to come.  To model Jesus in such a low way was contemptible.  Did they think God should be honored that they gave Him anything at all?  What they were doing was wrong and disrespectful showing their lack of fear of the Lord.  Isaiah suggest they offer it to their governor, see if he was pleased by their offering.  He asked, "Would he would accept you favorably?"  The Hebrew term meant 'lifting the face'.  This was an idiom, suggesting the picture of lifting the head bowed in shame.  This Their governor would have been political leader appointed by the Persian king, a mere, infallible man.  Yet he would not be impressed with their sick, lame and blind offering.  How much more disappointed would the God of the universe be? 

Malachi 1:9-13

If the governor would 'lift their face' then how could they expect God?  God ironically encouraged them to go ahead and try to win His favor; see if He would respond in grace to the disobedient and dishonoring sacrifice of their hands.  God notes there weren't any priests among them that revered Him enough to just shut the door of the temple rather than allow this bad sacrifice.  They didn't have the integrity or honor of God to stop the vain act of offering useless sacrifices.  Therefore, God reveals several things to them as a direct result of their failing:

1. God found no pleasure in their priesthood or service
2. Their offering was not accepted
3. He would be worshiped by Gentiles
4. The Gentiles would offer incense
5. The Gentiles would offer a pure offering
6. God's name would be great among Gentiles in spite of Jew's rebellion. 

The Jews would be offended at this idea; Jews worshiping Yahweh, Jews offering incense and sacrifice?  This was unheard of.  They were God's chosen people, He was their God.  They believed God should be impressed with them and the religious works.  Yet God said was they were doing was profane.  They saw the defilement but thought nothing of it. They were weary of the sacrifices and saw it as oppressive and burdensome.  They were sneering at the sacrificial model of Jesus Christ who would one day come and bear their sin. 

As we apply these thoughts to the church today, we might consider:

• Do we give of our time and resources with a cheerful heart? 
• Is your offering a reflection of your heart? 
• Do we recognize our offering is a representation and recognition that all we have is His!
• God doesn't need our offering or sacrifice; He will be glorified with or without us.
• He doesn't owe us anything because of a worship (We want grace, not what's owed us).
• Do we have the integrity and courage to simply shut the door rather that allow low worship?

Malachi 1:14

God cursed them; they were deceivers, promising one thing and delivering another.  They didn't worship and honor Him as a Great King.  The name of the Lord, His reputation and status should strike fear among the nations.

©2018 Doug Ford