Becky Austin

Treasured and Remembered (Malachi 3-4)

11:34 PM



Malachi 3 and 4 are the final 2 chapters in the OT.  Following this book, there are 400 years of silence, between Malachi’s prophetic words and the appearance of John the Baptist. During this time, the Jewish people only have the Law of Moses for reference. They are bound to this Law that they cannot measure up to. Fortunately, God has a better plan and He promises to send John the Baptist to herald the arrival of the only one who can truly fulfill the Law and offer a new covenant.

"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. (3:1)”

God warns, however, that the One He is sending will put the Levites to the test, refining and purifying them.  He will change their hearts and that will be the KEY to their sacrifices being acceptable again to God.

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. (3:3-4)”

We see this play out when we read about the religious leaders of the NT, who were in dire need of a heart change. They crossed all their Ts and dotted all of their Is when it came to the outward display of their religious behavior but they didn’t love God and they didn’t even recognize Him when He was standing in their presence.

God promises that He will act in judgement of man’s choices and man’s motives, but what is beautiful is that He also knows those who want to please him and He gives then special attention. “The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.  "They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. “ (3:16-17)

God put special emphasis in these chapters of distinguishing the heart of a true believer from one who “looked” religious but did not have true reverence and respect for God. God knew that His people would be challenged with the burdens of trying to live according to the Law. God promised freedom from the condemnation of the Law, freedom granted through trusting in Christ alone.
“But, for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (4:2)”

We are not meant to be in bondage to sin. Christ came to set us free from that bondage. Spurgeon elaborates on this picture of a young freed calf.

“Understand the figure. The calf in the stall is shut up, tied up with a halter at night, but when the sun rises the calf goes forth to the pasture; the young bullock is set free. So the child of God may be in bondage. The recollection of past sins and present unbelief may halter him up and keep him in the stall, but when the Lord reveals himself he is set free.” (Spurgeon)

Hallelujah for the promises of God fulfilled in Christ. Hallelujah that we can be set free from the bondage of the Law and our sinful, self-seeking ways. Hallelujah that we are “remembered” by God and considered His treasured possessions. 

heart

A Heart Ready to Worship {Malachi 1-2}

8:00 PM


“I have always loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” 

Listen:
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised.  When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.  
 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. 
 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand." Malachi 1:6-10 (emphasis mine)

 Can you see God’s heart in these verses? Can you hear the longing in His words?

Israel had been back from captivity for a hundred years now, and they’ve mixed in with many foreigners once more. The Temple has been rebuilt and they are now worshiping and serving God “religiously”. But what they still don’t understand is that it’s not about a religion, but a relationship!

What exactly are the priests being accused of?

  • Honoring people more than God (v.8)
  • Despising God (v.12)
  • Complaining about the work (v.13)
  • Offering defective and stolen goods as sacrifices (v.13)
  • Attempting to deceive God with their sacrifices (v.14)

AND why is this important to us today? 

Because we are now called a royal priesthood, (“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” -1Peter 2:9) And we’ve got to be careful that we’re not guilty of doing the same type of things these priests we’re doing!!

There seems to be a growing trend in many churches today of creating a “seeker friendly” church. At some point the focus on worship stopped being about God and more about what individuals wanted. It seems that in many churches today, the music and the message are now focused on our pleasure. Paul warned us that this would happen eventually, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” – 2Tim 4:3

It was the same for Israel in the days of Malachi. Prophets and priests tickled the ears of the congregation and favored whomever contributed the most money. The religious leaders chose to speak on the positive and popular aspects of God's blessing, and stay clear of the negative, unpopular aspects of His Word. Ultimately, the leaders were more concerned with the approval of men than with glorifying God at the risk of man's rejection.

With their view of God diminished they neither sought to glorify nor fear God; they were simply going through the rituals; offering the One who they owed their very life and existence to, far less than their best, and we must be very careful we don’t fall into the same patterns.

All that we do; every decision we make must be made for the purpose of honoring God!

I wonder, is there anyone who can honestly claim that every decision they make is based on whether it honors the Lord or not apart from Christ Jesus, Himself?

  • When we dress for church, are we dressing to please Him? 
  • When we sing, are we only singing to an audience of One? 
  • Are we opening His Word to hear only from Him, or are we more interested in listening to others? 
  • When we give, are we giving the whole tithe from our "first-fruits", or are we keeping some for ourselves?
  • When we serve, whom are we ultimately serving?  

God wants all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength in all that we do, but especially when we worship. If we are not striving to worship according to the way He desires, and with the right mindset, it would be better for us not to worship at all. (v.10)

He isn’t seeking perfection in our worship only our heart.  --A worshiper, whose greatest desire is to love and glorify Him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you yearn to experience more of the love of Jesus in your life this fall? Come join our New Testament study with an eclectic group of women from around the world!

Together we'll read through the entire New Testament and grow to love our Lord & Savior even more! Trust in Him, and begin an adventure that will transform your life and maybe others as well!
Begins August 31st! on Women in the Word.