The Cleansing Prophet

The Cleansing Prophet 

(Malachi) 

Yearly Theme:  “Goodness is… Governing” 

Series Title:  “Goodness in G minor” 

June 30th, 2024 

Something to think about: 
 

About the last book of the Old Testament, Biblical scholars, Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart write, “Malachi’s book is a graphic indicator of the moral and spiritual apathy of the time, which expressed itself in various forms of contempt for Yahweh and the covenant.”1 

Though not much is known about the prophet Malachi, it is thought that he wrote approximately 460 BC just before the time of Ezra and Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and the walls around the city.  It’s within this framework that Malachi is addressing the complaints of the people toward GOD as well as the apathy of their spiritual commitment to Him.  The people who were back in the land of their forefathers had come to believe that GOD didn’t love them anymore and that He had left them alone and desolate.  They blamed him for their plight in life and doubted His willingness to hear their prayers and pleas for help.  And yet, they continued to repeat the same sins of their ancestors that had once driven them from the land of promise. 

Angry at GOD and merely going through the motion of worship, their actions mocked GOD and the covenant they made with Him.  Bringing sacrifices to Him that were diseased and crippled, they worshiped Him with contempt.  The priests weren’t any better.  They had left GOD’s path of righteousness and in so doing had caused many people to stumble in their faith.  Showing favoritism to some and rejecting others, the priests’ corruption was a hindrance in the worship of GOD to the fledgling group of exiles who were returning to Jerusalem. 

Not unlike today, the Jewish people during Malachi’s time could complain like the rest of us, but they were not willing to do anything about their situation.  This is one of the signs of complacency within a culture:  willing to complain but not willing to do anything about it.  GOD who had orchestrated their return home, had become an object of their ridicule.  Sure, they continued to go through the motions of religion, but their hearts continued to be far from GOD.  However, as there always had been, there was a remnant of faithful people who had not turned their backs on GOD.  And this is the key.  Those who remain faithful to GOD will be saved. 

Key Point:  “Those who remain faithful to GOD will be saved.” 

The heart of GOD is shown in a couple of verses from chapter three: 

Malachi 3:6-7a (NLT),  6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change.  That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.  7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them.  Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”2 

So, what’s really going on in the context of Malachi’s writings?  First, we read about the peoples’ complaints against GOD, and we read of GOD’s response back to the people.  Finally, we hear a foreshadowing of the coming Messenger and the Messiah who will follow.  Let’s break each of these down further: 

• The peoples’  : 

1. How have You loved us?  (1:2) 

1. How have we ever shown contempt for Your name?  (1:6) 

1. Why doesn’t the LORD accept my worship?  (2:14) 

1. How have we wearied the LORD?  (2:17) 

• The LORD’s  : 

1. The LORD loves His people by dealing justice toward their enemies and fulfilling His promises.  (1:2-5) 

1. Contempt is shown toward GOD when His priests and His people offer Him the least of what they are and what they have.  (1:7 – 2:13) 

1. GOD does not accept the worship of those who continue willingly in sinful behavior and unrighteous behavior.  (2:14-16) 

1. GOD is wearied when His people continue to be unjust while expecting His justice toward them.  (2:17) 

• The Messenger of  : 

1. Malachi 4:1-5  

1. Matthew 17:1-5 

1. Matthew 5:17 

Something to take home: 

Author Dorothy Sayers writes, “In the world, it is called Tolerance, but in hell it is called Despair...the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die.”3  This is apathy at its greatest.  It’s the numbing of the spirit that kills dreams, drives, and decisions.  It’s the greatest tool of the Devil and the malignant tumor that destroys a nation.  Where there is nothing to live for and nothing to die for, this truly is hell.  And sadly, GOD becomes the focus of all blame. 

The cure for the prison of apathy is salvation in Christ:  the Messenger of Salvation and the Giver of Life.  The fulfillment of the law of Moses and the prophets and the embodiment of Truth is He.  And those who remain faithful to Him will be saved! 

Key Point:  “Those who remain faithful to GOD will be saved.”