Malachi
3 – The Coming Messenger
Sometimes
the only way to get rid of impurity is to use a powerful soap or a refining
fire. God would be to Israel “like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap,”
ready to clean and purify His people. Such cleansing often comes through
hardship and trials. God allows difficulties to come into our lives so that the
heat of these hardships can burn off impurities. Red-hot fire, pelting sand,
and strong soap are harsh, yet good, for they accomplish the desired cleaning.
In the same way, life’s trials can wash away what is impure in our lives,
making us purer for God.
God’s
ways are not our ways. People think that to be secure, they must hoard money.
God says the opposite. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,” He says then
“watch what happens.” God promised to reward His people’s giving with abundant
blessings so much that “there will be room enough to receive it.” In the New
Testament, Jesus issues the same challenge: “Give and it will be given to you;
good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” Luke 6:38. To
refuse to give is to rob God; to give generously is to know God’s abundant
blessing.
Not
only did the people bring the Lord defective sacrifices, but they failed to
bring tithes and offerings commanded by the law. Consequently, He cursed their
blessings and destroyed their crops. When we rob God, we only rob ourselves. We
cannot keep anything that rightfully belongs to God.
The
messenger is John the Baptist (Matt. 11:7-10) who prepared the way for the
Lord. When Christ comes as judge, He will purify Israel, especially the
priests, and will judge the sinners.
God
does not change. He kept His covenant
and did not destroy Israel. The faithfulness of God sustains us (Lam. 3:22-24).
Those
who fear the Lord, obey Him and ponders His truth, and exercises spiritual
discernment will be spared in the coming day of judgment.
Please
read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.
If
you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.
Dr.
David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.
No comments:
Post a Comment