2011 08 07 malachi the last old testament prophet
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Big Story of the Bible #11 – Malachi, the last Old Testament Prophet August 7, 2011 - Malachi 4:1-6
You can look out at 113 stories. You can even travel up to the sky pod at 147 stories. During our time there, a new attraction on the CN Tower
The Bible’s Story Line So Far (G = Genesis) 1 – The One Triune God created everything that exists. (G 1) 2 – The Lord God creates paradise for the first man and woman. (G 2) 3 – The Lord responds with justice and mercy to man’s rebellion. (G 3) 4 -The Lord calls Abraham to step out of his comfort, follow wherever the Lord leads and become a blessing to the whole world. (G 12:1-9) 5 - God graciously overcomes Jacob’s sinful character and transforms him into Israel. (G 32:22-32) 6 – God forms Israel into a nation through the ministry of Moses. (Deuteronomy 4:32-40) 7 – The Lord commands and empowers Joshua to lead Israel in conquering the Promised Land. (Joshua 1:1-9) 8 – God installs David to begin a line of kings leading to the Ultimate King. (2 Samuel 7:1-17) 9 - The Lord God oversees the defeat and exile of His people Israel because of their unfaithfulness to Him. (2 Kings 17) 10 - God stirs up a Persian King to provide for the return of His people. (Ezra 1) Last weekend, we returned from some time away in Southern Ontario. We enjoyed seeing Lori’s family, the +38 heat with humidex of +48 and some of the attractions in the area. One attraction has an exciting new addition. The CN Tower, Canada’s tallest building celebrated 35 years earlier this year. It looks out over Toronto and can be seen from many kilometers away. It is 553 meters or 1815 feet tall and is one of the world’s tallest buildings. From 112 stories up, you can look down through a glass floor.
opened. It’s called the Edgewalk. It is the world’s highest full circle hands free walk on a 5 foot or 1.5 meter wide ledge. It encircles the top of the tower’s main pod. Visitors get to walk in groups of six while attached to an overhead safety rail via a trolley and harness system. Trained Edgewalk guides will encourage participants to lean out over Toronto with nothing but air and the view of Lake Ontario beneath them. During our time there, I was trying to convince Lori’s Mom to try Edgewalk. I thought it would be a very neat and bonding experience for us to lean out over Toronto together. But alas, she would not take me up on my offer to accompany her if she paid for both of us. It only costs $175 after all. How many of you would consider going on the Edgewalk if you had the opportunity? How many would not do it even if they paid you the $175? In making that decision, you likely weighed the benefit of doing something like that with the cost. The benefits might include doing something extreme, experiencing the rush that comes with it, seeing a spectacular unobstructed view and gaining a claim to have done something
2
few in this world have done. But the costs you might consider include
deal with hardship and trials in life when it seems like those who care
overcoming your fear, putting yourself in a risky, perhaps life-threatening
nothing for God experience all kinds of blessings?
situation and the $175. Now we weigh the benefit against the cost in many ways in
About 2400 years ago, a remnant of God’s people faced this dilemma. They were Jews who returned from exile to their homeland. If
everyday life. When you go shopping for say fruit you check the cost of and
you were with us a couple of weeks ago, you’ll remember the account of the
benefit of the fruit. If the fruit looks to be pretty beneficial with a cost you
Persian king Cyrus releasing the Jews from their captivity. He gave them
can agree to, you will buy the fruit. Or take an exercise program; you
permission to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple of God.
benefit if your body gains muscle or you lose weight. But it will cost you pain and it often won’t be fun. So will you go ahead? If the cost of something begins to outweigh the benefit, we may not
They went out with great rejoicing and enthusiasm. They return and first rebuild a scaled down version of Solomon’s temple. Then they eventually rebuild the walls of Jerusalem to bring some semblance of
purchase it or stop doing it. This can happen with things like exercise or
security to the people. Yet, they live in a vastly reduced territory of what
purchasing fruit. But it can also happen in much bigger areas of our lives
was once their land. In fact, the nation of Judah at this time is only 20 by 30
like relationships. People weigh whether the benefits of a friendship, dating
miles or 32 by 48 kilometers large. It’s barely bigger than the greater
relationship, working relationship, family relationship or marriage still
Edmonton region. About 150,000 people live in the land. It’s basically a
outweigh the cost. Good relationships take work. Sometimes people
backwater province on the fringe of the Persian Empire. Instead of nations
choose to end relationships because the cost seems to outweigh the
bringing wealth to Jerusalem like they did in the days of Solomon, they still
benefit. Or the hard work seems wasted or futile.
have to pay taxes to Persia. They had no king and no return to the glory
The question facing us today is how do we respond when the cost of following God seems to far outweigh the benefits gained? How do we
days. They were the people of God and yet they lived a hard life. To many, it seemed like the benefit of remaining faithful to God was far outweighed by the hard realities of their individual and national lives.
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But God will not abandon His people. He sends them another messenger – a prophet who will proclaim the Lord’s Word. He will explain
not serve him.
scene in the Bible’s Storyline. And we will also discover why we can keep
[4:1] “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. [2] 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. [3] And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. [4] “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. [5] “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. [6] And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
going with the Lord, even when it seems useless to do so. The prophet’s
Matthew 11:7-15 (ESV)
name is Malachi. Our text comes from his words preserved in the little book
[7] As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. [9] What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’1 [11] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [12] From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. [13] For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, [14] and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. [15] He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
why some of these things are happening and grant them reason to persevere with the Lord even when it seemed futile. In fact, this prophet’s word will be vital for he will be the last one to speak from the Lord for 400 years. He is the last prophet of the Old Testament. Our text today will take us to the last verses of the Old Testament. Here we will discover the 11th
at the end of the Old Testament.
Malachi 3:13-4:6 [13] “Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ *14+ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? [15] And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’” [The Book of Remembrance] [16] Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. 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. [17] “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. [18] Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does
1 – Cited from Malachi 3:1
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Scene 11 – Malachi, the Last prophet of the Old Testament, predicts the
when the nations around ignored them. But now they wonder if it’s worth
coming of a messenger and the Messiah.
it. Why?
The name Malachi means “my messenger” or “messenger of the
Verse 15 – “It is of no use holding true to God because there is no
Lord.” Malachi explains through his messages why the people experience
gain; the arrogant are blessed; evildoers prosper and those who challenge
such hardship. They seem on the outside to follow the Lord. They don’t
God escape.” Arrogant people who had no fear of God were doing well in
worship idols and they go through the religious rituals. But they were too
life. Evildoers prospered and enjoyed life. Those who tested God or
ready to make compromises on God’s commands. They cut corners in basic
challenged Him got away with it and even escaped. This didn’t add up.
areas of faithfulness like tithing or giving to the Lord as an act of worship.
They were told that humility brought the Lord’s favor; right living brought
They looked for easy ways out of marriage. In fact, even the priests were
blessing and they dare not ever put the Lord to the test. Yet people all
guilty of misconduct and false teaching. They also struggled when they
around them ignored humility, prospered through evil and thumbed their
looked around at people who didn’t obey God. They wondered why they
noses at God with no consequences. So why keep on paying the price of
seemed to prosper.
faithfulness when there seemed to be no benefit?
Their under-the-surface doubts about God surface in their
We might feel that at times. You do things ethically at your
complaining. The Lord charges them with hard words against Him. They
business. Your competitor does things unethically. They get higher sales or
deny it. But then he repeats what he’s heard.
land the big contract. You’re honest at your job but the person in the next
Malachi 3:14 – “You have said, “it is vain to serve God.” ” (Useless;
office plays politics and gets the promotion you hoped for. You’ve looked
of no profit; the cost is too high). “What is the profit of our keeping his
hard for a job. You’ve prayed for it but it’s not happening while you hear of
charge or walking in mourning before the Lord of hosts?” Keeping the
others having multiple job offers.
charge and walking in mourning describe remaining faithful to God. They endured the challenging life of obeying the Lord’s commandments even
Your marriage is just average while some non-Christian neighbors seem to enjoy a great relationship. Other couples can get pregnant – why
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not you? Other students who don’t follow Christ seem to get everything
So the Lord is going to do something that will make plain the
they want – iPad 2; iPod Touch; new car; surprise trip to California; neat
distinction between those who fear Him and those who don’t. When He
house; neat games; You don’t have it.
does this, the benefit of remaining faithful will become abundantly clear.
Things are going well for those non-Christian families. But you’re
Chapter 4:1-3 reveal what’s coming. It’s called the Day of Judgment where
going through so much or having a lot of trouble right now. There seemed
those who reject Christ will suffer loss and those who received Christ will
to be no gain in following God.
experience great gain. The Lord will keep His Word to one day bring
So how does the Lord through Malachi address their charge? He reminds them that the Lord keeps His Word in a way that will make the benefit of following God abundantly clear. Malachi leads up to the Lord’s promise. In verses 16-17 some
Judgment. It will be a dreadful day for those who reject Christ. Look at verse 1 again. “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven.” Judgment is coming and it will be hot. In the days of Noah, God judged with water. On
believers get together. They begin to challenge each other to keep going in
the coming Day of Judgment, God will judge with fire. “All the arrogant and
their faith. The Lord pays attention to these believers. Their names are
evildoers will be stubble.” Notice how the Lord picks up the same words
written in a book. Then the Lord speaks “They shall be mine in the day
used by those who denied the value of serving the Lord? They said the
when I make up my treasured possession and spare them as a man spares
arrogant are blessed and the evildoers prosper. But on that day they are
his son who serves him.” So the Lord sees those who remain faithful to Him
like stubble or some translations say chaff or straw. This is a farming image.
as His treasured possession. He will spare them from something, from the
Chaff; stubble; straw is the part of the plant that remains once it has been
day. In Verse 18, “Then once more you will see the distinction between the
harvested. In modern agriculture it is the short stub that remains in the
righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does
field after the top part has been cut off a harvested. In ancient farming, it
not serve him. “
was likely a short piece of the lower part of the plant that remained after
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the grain was cut off or threshed out. The stubble was usually burned. This is what the arrogant and evildoer will be like on that day. “The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts
The “righteousness” brought by the sun includes judgment on evildoers and reward for those faithful to God. The wings are a poetic image for the rays of sun bringing healing to all who come under its
so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” The image is one of total
influence. Ultimately, this image is fulfilled in Christ who came as the light
destruction with no opportunity for renewal or recovery. There will be no
of the world. So the righteous will receive this coming of the Lord.
remaining root or branch for the arrogant and evildoer. They won’t have
They will be like calves released from their stalls. When baby cows
another chance. They were given hundreds and thousands of opportunities
get out of their pens and out into pasture, they leap and jump and run. It is
during their lifetimes. But God’s patience has a limit. That will be a bad day
the picture of release and joy. The last day will be a bad day for the
for the arrogant and evildoer.
arrogant and the evildoers – a glorious day for those who fear the Lord.
[2] But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall
Verse 3 concludes the prophecy. [3] “And you shall tread down the wicked,
rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the
for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act,
stall.” There is something different waiting for those who fear the name of
says the LORD of hosts.” Not only will the believers be released but they
the Lord. “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”
will now overcome those who rejected the Lord. The image is graphic –
What is that? That is a picture of God. It’s unusual because the Israelites
God’s people walking on the ashes of the wicked.
went to great lengths to avoid associating God with the sun. Why? The
All of this is to encourage those who may wonder about the value of
pagans worshipped the sun. So rarely does God speak of Himself as the sun.
keeping going with God. It might not seem worth it today but the Lord of
But He does here. He does in Isaiah 60 which states “Arise, shine, for your
heaven’s armies will bring a day of judgment where all who rejected Him
light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness
shall suffer loss. The Lord’s people will experience freedom and triumph.
covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
It’s a little like when you get to the top of a hill in your car and you want to fly down the hill picking up as much speed as possible. But you
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resist it even though other cars whip by you. But then you get to the
Eventually, when the time came for him to go to be with the Lord, he was
bottom of the hill and you see police officers pulling over the cars that sped
taken directly to heaven without dying on the first chariots of fire
by. You, however, get to pass by and continue on your journey. Those who
So to promise that Elijah would come before the Messiah and
ignored the law suffer loss. Those who obeyed gain greatly and triumph
before the day of judgment was a promise of great hope to the Israelites.
and are free to continue. You get to wave at the people pulled over for
One author writes, Elijah still plays a significant role in Jewish liturgy
speeding. Judgment day will be nothing to fear for Christians. We are
and ritual. He is mentioned when grace is said after meals: “May God
protected by Christ’s payment for us. We look forward to release and
in his mercy send us the prophet Elijah.” And in the benedictions after
reward and overcoming on that day. The message of encouragement continues to the end of Malachi 4.
the weekly Sabbath reading of a chapter from the books of the prophets, the prayerbook says, “Let us rejoice, O Lord, through your
Here the Lord promises a messenger prior to the day of the Lord and the
servant, the prophet Elijah, and through the kingdom of David, your coming of the Messiah. This messenger will be Elijah or someone like him. Malachi 4:5 – “Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.” Now this might not mean much to us if we don’t know anything about Elijah. But to the Israelite,
Messiah. May he come soon and rejoice our hearts.”[…] At the beginning of the celebration of the Passover a special cup of wine, called “Elijah’s cup” is placed on the table. When grace is said after
Elijah became a hero figure. The account of his ministry is found in 1 Kings
the meal, a child opens the door in expectation of Elijah’s appearance
17 – 2 Kings 2. He appears unannounced as an adult. He was a prophet
and biblical passages are recited which express the hope of Jewish
without ancestry. He ministered during the reign of wicked King Ahab.
people for deliverance from oppression (Wiener, The Prophet Elijah
Elijah called the people back to the Lord. Signs and wonders accompanied
132–35).
his ministry. He confronted 850 pagan prophets on Mount Carmel. He exposed the falseness of their gods and the authenticity of the true God.
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This was a great promise of hope to a people questioning the
Notice the last phrase of the Old Testament “lest I come and
value of continuing to walk with the Lord. In the New Testament
strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” The ministry of
passage we read earlier, we see Jesus identify John the Baptist as the
this messenger will in some way protect the people from God’s
coming of Elijah. He was not the literal Elijah. But he was a
immediate judgment. So sending a type of Elijah in John the Baptist
messenger and prophet like Elijah, calling the people back to the Lord.
was a great act of mercy on God’s part. He again reached out to a
Finally verse 6, the last verse of the Old Testament, talks about this
wandering people to call them back before the great Day of
Elijah turning the hearts of the fathers to their children and children
Judgment. This promise of hope was given to encourage believers in
to their fathers. It could be talking about reconciliation within
Malachi’s time to continue with the Lord. So the Lord would keep His
families. But some commentators point out this could refer to the
Word by sending Elijah and then the Messiah. This text serves as the
covenant God made with the forefathers like Abraham, Jacob, Moses
perfect bridge into the New Testament.
They would need this encouragement. There would be no
and David. The connection between those faithful forefathers and current day people experiences a kind of break when the people
prophetic word from the Lord for 400 years. But then, John the Baptist
today – the children – turn away from the Lord. But when they listen
suddenly appeared in the desert. He was a brightly burning lamp in
to the prophet and their hearts are turned back to their forefathers, there is a renewal of this connection. That could be what Malachi
fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy that “Elijah” would prepare the way for the coming of I AM. People throughout all Israel rejoiced in his light and heard his testimony that Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah.
means here. He’s pointing to the ministry of John the Baptist who So what about us today? We began by asking the question “How do we
called people to repent and turn back to God in preparation for Messiah’s ministry.
respond when the cost of following God seems to far outweigh the benefits gained?
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1) Remember the Lord is a promise-keeper. He kept His Word by sending John the Baptist. He kept His Word by sending Jesus. He will keep His Word when He brings in the last Judgment. If we know the Lord’s
let go of all we’re trying to control and give it over to Him because He knows infinitely better what needs to happen. The benefit of forgiveness far outweighs the fattest bank account. You
promises and look back over our lives, we can see how He has already kept
can have lots of money and be insulated from some of the world’s
His Word in our lives. So we must remember the Lord’s faithfulness even
problems; but if you haven’t experienced forgiveness, you’re still weighed
when life is difficult.
down with an anchor that can sink you. Other benefits like spiritual Power;
2) Ask for the Lord’s help to persevere in the midst of some great trial
reconciliation with God and others, eternal life and Christlikeness look very
that threatens your faith in God. If you’re going through something right
different from what the world pursues. When we adjust our view of
now that has you wondering whether the cost outweighs the benefit of
benefits the cost pales in comparison.
following Christ, ask for the Lord’s help. He constantly promises His
4) Ask the Holy Spirit to move you to a deeper compassion, more intense
presence and help in the midst of trouble. So ask for it.
prayer and opportunities to share Christ with lost neighbors, friends and
3) Adjust your view of “benefits.” Sometimes we struggle because we
family. Think for a moment about friends, neighbours and family who don’t
focus on the wrong kinds of benefits. If by benefits we mean money,
know Christ. I don’t know about you, but I find Malachi 4:1 and 3 tough
materials, success, a comfortable life and insulation from trouble, we are
verses when I think about lost people. I don’t want them to experience this
not promised any of these benefits in following Christ. But there are other
judgment. So if these verses don’t even bother us when we think of those
benefits.
people in our lives, we need to ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to grow in
The most important benefit in life – our faith in the Lord. Peter calls it
compassion. Then we need to act on it by taking advantage of opportunities
something of greater worth than gold. What increases our faith? Trials –
God gives us with them.
Tests – So that our faith in the Lord will increase and grow. So that we can
5) Trust in Him for the first time. The evidence from God’s character and His Word points to a day of judgment despite what many believe today.
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There will be a day of accounting. Which side will you be on that day? By turning to and trusting in Christ, you will be protected from God’s Holy Wrath. Instead, you will experience release and overcoming. We are unable to escape sinful patterns of conduct without the help of Jesus to set you free. Will you turn from your old life and ways of doing things and turn to trusting Christ? 6) Invest today in what pleases the Lord even if it brings no gain today. Keep the Lord’s commandments – Malachi 4:4. Learn God’s will and ask the Holy Spirit for His power to follow it. 7) Praise the Lord that He sent the messenger and the Messiah into your life before that day of the Lord.
Big Story of the Bible #11 – Malachi, the last Old Testament Prophet August 7, 2011 - Malachi 4:1-6
You can look out at 113 stories. You can even travel up to the sky pod at 147 stories. During our time there, a new attraction on the CN Tower
The Bible’s Story Line So Far (G = Genesis) 1 – The One Triune God created everything that exists. (G 1) 2 – The Lord God creates paradise for the first man and woman. (G 2) 3 – The Lord responds with justice and mercy to man’s rebellion. (G 3) 4 -The Lord calls Abraham to step out of his comfort, follow wherever the Lord leads and become a blessing to the whole world. (G 12:1-9) 5 - God graciously overcomes Jacob’s sinful character and transforms him into Israel. (G 32:22-32) 6 – God forms Israel into a nation through the ministry of Moses. (Deuteronomy 4:32-40) 7 – The Lord commands and empowers Joshua to lead Israel in conquering the Promised Land. (Joshua 1:1-9) 8 – God installs David to begin a line of kings leading to the Ultimate King. (2 Samuel 7:1-17) 9 - The Lord God oversees the defeat and exile of His people Israel because of their unfaithfulness to Him. (2 Kings 17) 10 - God stirs up a Persian King to provide for the return of His people. (Ezra 1) Last weekend, we returned from some time away in Southern Ontario. We enjoyed seeing Lori’s family, the +38 heat with humidex of +48 and some of the attractions in the area. One attraction has an exciting new addition. The CN Tower, Canada’s tallest building celebrated 35 years earlier this year. It looks out over Toronto and can be seen from many kilometers away. It is 553 meters or 1815 feet tall and is one of the world’s tallest buildings. From 112 stories up, you can look down through a glass floor.
opened. It’s called the Edgewalk. It is the world’s highest full circle hands free walk on a 5 foot or 1.5 meter wide ledge. It encircles the top of the tower’s main pod. Visitors get to walk in groups of six while attached to an overhead safety rail via a trolley and harness system. Trained Edgewalk guides will encourage participants to lean out over Toronto with nothing but air and the view of Lake Ontario beneath them. During our time there, I was trying to convince Lori’s Mom to try Edgewalk. I thought it would be a very neat and bonding experience for us to lean out over Toronto together. But alas, she would not take me up on my offer to accompany her if she paid for both of us. It only costs $175 after all. How many of you would consider going on the Edgewalk if you had the opportunity? How many would not do it even if they paid you the $175? In making that decision, you likely weighed the benefit of doing something like that with the cost. The benefits might include doing something extreme, experiencing the rush that comes with it, seeing a spectacular unobstructed view and gaining a claim to have done something
2
few in this world have done. But the costs you might consider include
deal with hardship and trials in life when it seems like those who care
overcoming your fear, putting yourself in a risky, perhaps life-threatening
nothing for God experience all kinds of blessings?
situation and the $175. Now we weigh the benefit against the cost in many ways in
About 2400 years ago, a remnant of God’s people faced this dilemma. They were Jews who returned from exile to their homeland. If
everyday life. When you go shopping for say fruit you check the cost of and
you were with us a couple of weeks ago, you’ll remember the account of the
benefit of the fruit. If the fruit looks to be pretty beneficial with a cost you
Persian king Cyrus releasing the Jews from their captivity. He gave them
can agree to, you will buy the fruit. Or take an exercise program; you
permission to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple of God.
benefit if your body gains muscle or you lose weight. But it will cost you pain and it often won’t be fun. So will you go ahead? If the cost of something begins to outweigh the benefit, we may not
They went out with great rejoicing and enthusiasm. They return and first rebuild a scaled down version of Solomon’s temple. Then they eventually rebuild the walls of Jerusalem to bring some semblance of
purchase it or stop doing it. This can happen with things like exercise or
security to the people. Yet, they live in a vastly reduced territory of what
purchasing fruit. But it can also happen in much bigger areas of our lives
was once their land. In fact, the nation of Judah at this time is only 20 by 30
like relationships. People weigh whether the benefits of a friendship, dating
miles or 32 by 48 kilometers large. It’s barely bigger than the greater
relationship, working relationship, family relationship or marriage still
Edmonton region. About 150,000 people live in the land. It’s basically a
outweigh the cost. Good relationships take work. Sometimes people
backwater province on the fringe of the Persian Empire. Instead of nations
choose to end relationships because the cost seems to outweigh the
bringing wealth to Jerusalem like they did in the days of Solomon, they still
benefit. Or the hard work seems wasted or futile.
have to pay taxes to Persia. They had no king and no return to the glory
The question facing us today is how do we respond when the cost of following God seems to far outweigh the benefits gained? How do we
days. They were the people of God and yet they lived a hard life. To many, it seemed like the benefit of remaining faithful to God was far outweighed by the hard realities of their individual and national lives.
3
But God will not abandon His people. He sends them another messenger – a prophet who will proclaim the Lord’s Word. He will explain
not serve him.
scene in the Bible’s Storyline. And we will also discover why we can keep
[4:1] “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. [2] 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. [3] And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. [4] “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. [5] “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. [6] And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
going with the Lord, even when it seems useless to do so. The prophet’s
Matthew 11:7-15 (ESV)
name is Malachi. Our text comes from his words preserved in the little book
[7] As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. [9] What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’1 [11] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [12] From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. [13] For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, [14] and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. [15] He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
why some of these things are happening and grant them reason to persevere with the Lord even when it seemed futile. In fact, this prophet’s word will be vital for he will be the last one to speak from the Lord for 400 years. He is the last prophet of the Old Testament. Our text today will take us to the last verses of the Old Testament. Here we will discover the 11th
at the end of the Old Testament.
Malachi 3:13-4:6 [13] “Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ *14+ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? [15] And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’” [The Book of Remembrance] [16] Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. 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. [17] “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. [18] Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does
1 – Cited from Malachi 3:1
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Scene 11 – Malachi, the Last prophet of the Old Testament, predicts the
when the nations around ignored them. But now they wonder if it’s worth
coming of a messenger and the Messiah.
it. Why?
The name Malachi means “my messenger” or “messenger of the
Verse 15 – “It is of no use holding true to God because there is no
Lord.” Malachi explains through his messages why the people experience
gain; the arrogant are blessed; evildoers prosper and those who challenge
such hardship. They seem on the outside to follow the Lord. They don’t
God escape.” Arrogant people who had no fear of God were doing well in
worship idols and they go through the religious rituals. But they were too
life. Evildoers prospered and enjoyed life. Those who tested God or
ready to make compromises on God’s commands. They cut corners in basic
challenged Him got away with it and even escaped. This didn’t add up.
areas of faithfulness like tithing or giving to the Lord as an act of worship.
They were told that humility brought the Lord’s favor; right living brought
They looked for easy ways out of marriage. In fact, even the priests were
blessing and they dare not ever put the Lord to the test. Yet people all
guilty of misconduct and false teaching. They also struggled when they
around them ignored humility, prospered through evil and thumbed their
looked around at people who didn’t obey God. They wondered why they
noses at God with no consequences. So why keep on paying the price of
seemed to prosper.
faithfulness when there seemed to be no benefit?
Their under-the-surface doubts about God surface in their
We might feel that at times. You do things ethically at your
complaining. The Lord charges them with hard words against Him. They
business. Your competitor does things unethically. They get higher sales or
deny it. But then he repeats what he’s heard.
land the big contract. You’re honest at your job but the person in the next
Malachi 3:14 – “You have said, “it is vain to serve God.” ” (Useless;
office plays politics and gets the promotion you hoped for. You’ve looked
of no profit; the cost is too high). “What is the profit of our keeping his
hard for a job. You’ve prayed for it but it’s not happening while you hear of
charge or walking in mourning before the Lord of hosts?” Keeping the
others having multiple job offers.
charge and walking in mourning describe remaining faithful to God. They endured the challenging life of obeying the Lord’s commandments even
Your marriage is just average while some non-Christian neighbors seem to enjoy a great relationship. Other couples can get pregnant – why
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not you? Other students who don’t follow Christ seem to get everything
So the Lord is going to do something that will make plain the
they want – iPad 2; iPod Touch; new car; surprise trip to California; neat
distinction between those who fear Him and those who don’t. When He
house; neat games; You don’t have it.
does this, the benefit of remaining faithful will become abundantly clear.
Things are going well for those non-Christian families. But you’re
Chapter 4:1-3 reveal what’s coming. It’s called the Day of Judgment where
going through so much or having a lot of trouble right now. There seemed
those who reject Christ will suffer loss and those who received Christ will
to be no gain in following God.
experience great gain. The Lord will keep His Word to one day bring
So how does the Lord through Malachi address their charge? He reminds them that the Lord keeps His Word in a way that will make the benefit of following God abundantly clear. Malachi leads up to the Lord’s promise. In verses 16-17 some
Judgment. It will be a dreadful day for those who reject Christ. Look at verse 1 again. “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven.” Judgment is coming and it will be hot. In the days of Noah, God judged with water. On
believers get together. They begin to challenge each other to keep going in
the coming Day of Judgment, God will judge with fire. “All the arrogant and
their faith. The Lord pays attention to these believers. Their names are
evildoers will be stubble.” Notice how the Lord picks up the same words
written in a book. Then the Lord speaks “They shall be mine in the day
used by those who denied the value of serving the Lord? They said the
when I make up my treasured possession and spare them as a man spares
arrogant are blessed and the evildoers prosper. But on that day they are
his son who serves him.” So the Lord sees those who remain faithful to Him
like stubble or some translations say chaff or straw. This is a farming image.
as His treasured possession. He will spare them from something, from the
Chaff; stubble; straw is the part of the plant that remains once it has been
day. In Verse 18, “Then once more you will see the distinction between the
harvested. In modern agriculture it is the short stub that remains in the
righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does
field after the top part has been cut off a harvested. In ancient farming, it
not serve him. “
was likely a short piece of the lower part of the plant that remained after
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the grain was cut off or threshed out. The stubble was usually burned. This is what the arrogant and evildoer will be like on that day. “The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts
The “righteousness” brought by the sun includes judgment on evildoers and reward for those faithful to God. The wings are a poetic image for the rays of sun bringing healing to all who come under its
so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” The image is one of total
influence. Ultimately, this image is fulfilled in Christ who came as the light
destruction with no opportunity for renewal or recovery. There will be no
of the world. So the righteous will receive this coming of the Lord.
remaining root or branch for the arrogant and evildoer. They won’t have
They will be like calves released from their stalls. When baby cows
another chance. They were given hundreds and thousands of opportunities
get out of their pens and out into pasture, they leap and jump and run. It is
during their lifetimes. But God’s patience has a limit. That will be a bad day
the picture of release and joy. The last day will be a bad day for the
for the arrogant and evildoer.
arrogant and the evildoers – a glorious day for those who fear the Lord.
[2] But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall
Verse 3 concludes the prophecy. [3] “And you shall tread down the wicked,
rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the
for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act,
stall.” There is something different waiting for those who fear the name of
says the LORD of hosts.” Not only will the believers be released but they
the Lord. “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”
will now overcome those who rejected the Lord. The image is graphic –
What is that? That is a picture of God. It’s unusual because the Israelites
God’s people walking on the ashes of the wicked.
went to great lengths to avoid associating God with the sun. Why? The
All of this is to encourage those who may wonder about the value of
pagans worshipped the sun. So rarely does God speak of Himself as the sun.
keeping going with God. It might not seem worth it today but the Lord of
But He does here. He does in Isaiah 60 which states “Arise, shine, for your
heaven’s armies will bring a day of judgment where all who rejected Him
light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness
shall suffer loss. The Lord’s people will experience freedom and triumph.
covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
It’s a little like when you get to the top of a hill in your car and you want to fly down the hill picking up as much speed as possible. But you
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resist it even though other cars whip by you. But then you get to the
Eventually, when the time came for him to go to be with the Lord, he was
bottom of the hill and you see police officers pulling over the cars that sped
taken directly to heaven without dying on the first chariots of fire
by. You, however, get to pass by and continue on your journey. Those who
So to promise that Elijah would come before the Messiah and
ignored the law suffer loss. Those who obeyed gain greatly and triumph
before the day of judgment was a promise of great hope to the Israelites.
and are free to continue. You get to wave at the people pulled over for
One author writes, Elijah still plays a significant role in Jewish liturgy
speeding. Judgment day will be nothing to fear for Christians. We are
and ritual. He is mentioned when grace is said after meals: “May God
protected by Christ’s payment for us. We look forward to release and
in his mercy send us the prophet Elijah.” And in the benedictions after
reward and overcoming on that day. The message of encouragement continues to the end of Malachi 4.
the weekly Sabbath reading of a chapter from the books of the prophets, the prayerbook says, “Let us rejoice, O Lord, through your
Here the Lord promises a messenger prior to the day of the Lord and the
servant, the prophet Elijah, and through the kingdom of David, your coming of the Messiah. This messenger will be Elijah or someone like him. Malachi 4:5 – “Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.” Now this might not mean much to us if we don’t know anything about Elijah. But to the Israelite,
Messiah. May he come soon and rejoice our hearts.”[…] At the beginning of the celebration of the Passover a special cup of wine, called “Elijah’s cup” is placed on the table. When grace is said after
Elijah became a hero figure. The account of his ministry is found in 1 Kings
the meal, a child opens the door in expectation of Elijah’s appearance
17 – 2 Kings 2. He appears unannounced as an adult. He was a prophet
and biblical passages are recited which express the hope of Jewish
without ancestry. He ministered during the reign of wicked King Ahab.
people for deliverance from oppression (Wiener, The Prophet Elijah
Elijah called the people back to the Lord. Signs and wonders accompanied
132–35).
his ministry. He confronted 850 pagan prophets on Mount Carmel. He exposed the falseness of their gods and the authenticity of the true God.
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This was a great promise of hope to a people questioning the
Notice the last phrase of the Old Testament “lest I come and
value of continuing to walk with the Lord. In the New Testament
strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” The ministry of
passage we read earlier, we see Jesus identify John the Baptist as the
this messenger will in some way protect the people from God’s
coming of Elijah. He was not the literal Elijah. But he was a
immediate judgment. So sending a type of Elijah in John the Baptist
messenger and prophet like Elijah, calling the people back to the Lord.
was a great act of mercy on God’s part. He again reached out to a
Finally verse 6, the last verse of the Old Testament, talks about this
wandering people to call them back before the great Day of
Elijah turning the hearts of the fathers to their children and children
Judgment. This promise of hope was given to encourage believers in
to their fathers. It could be talking about reconciliation within
Malachi’s time to continue with the Lord. So the Lord would keep His
families. But some commentators point out this could refer to the
Word by sending Elijah and then the Messiah. This text serves as the
covenant God made with the forefathers like Abraham, Jacob, Moses
perfect bridge into the New Testament.
They would need this encouragement. There would be no
and David. The connection between those faithful forefathers and current day people experiences a kind of break when the people
prophetic word from the Lord for 400 years. But then, John the Baptist
today – the children – turn away from the Lord. But when they listen
suddenly appeared in the desert. He was a brightly burning lamp in
to the prophet and their hearts are turned back to their forefathers, there is a renewal of this connection. That could be what Malachi
fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy that “Elijah” would prepare the way for the coming of I AM. People throughout all Israel rejoiced in his light and heard his testimony that Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah.
means here. He’s pointing to the ministry of John the Baptist who So what about us today? We began by asking the question “How do we
called people to repent and turn back to God in preparation for Messiah’s ministry.
respond when the cost of following God seems to far outweigh the benefits gained?
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1) Remember the Lord is a promise-keeper. He kept His Word by sending John the Baptist. He kept His Word by sending Jesus. He will keep His Word when He brings in the last Judgment. If we know the Lord’s
let go of all we’re trying to control and give it over to Him because He knows infinitely better what needs to happen. The benefit of forgiveness far outweighs the fattest bank account. You
promises and look back over our lives, we can see how He has already kept
can have lots of money and be insulated from some of the world’s
His Word in our lives. So we must remember the Lord’s faithfulness even
problems; but if you haven’t experienced forgiveness, you’re still weighed
when life is difficult.
down with an anchor that can sink you. Other benefits like spiritual Power;
2) Ask for the Lord’s help to persevere in the midst of some great trial
reconciliation with God and others, eternal life and Christlikeness look very
that threatens your faith in God. If you’re going through something right
different from what the world pursues. When we adjust our view of
now that has you wondering whether the cost outweighs the benefit of
benefits the cost pales in comparison.
following Christ, ask for the Lord’s help. He constantly promises His
4) Ask the Holy Spirit to move you to a deeper compassion, more intense
presence and help in the midst of trouble. So ask for it.
prayer and opportunities to share Christ with lost neighbors, friends and
3) Adjust your view of “benefits.” Sometimes we struggle because we
family. Think for a moment about friends, neighbours and family who don’t
focus on the wrong kinds of benefits. If by benefits we mean money,
know Christ. I don’t know about you, but I find Malachi 4:1 and 3 tough
materials, success, a comfortable life and insulation from trouble, we are
verses when I think about lost people. I don’t want them to experience this
not promised any of these benefits in following Christ. But there are other
judgment. So if these verses don’t even bother us when we think of those
benefits.
people in our lives, we need to ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to grow in
The most important benefit in life – our faith in the Lord. Peter calls it
compassion. Then we need to act on it by taking advantage of opportunities
something of greater worth than gold. What increases our faith? Trials –
God gives us with them.
Tests – So that our faith in the Lord will increase and grow. So that we can
5) Trust in Him for the first time. The evidence from God’s character and His Word points to a day of judgment despite what many believe today.
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There will be a day of accounting. Which side will you be on that day? By turning to and trusting in Christ, you will be protected from God’s Holy Wrath. Instead, you will experience release and overcoming. We are unable to escape sinful patterns of conduct without the help of Jesus to set you free. Will you turn from your old life and ways of doing things and turn to trusting Christ? 6) Invest today in what pleases the Lord even if it brings no gain today. Keep the Lord’s commandments – Malachi 4:4. Learn God’s will and ask the Holy Spirit for His power to follow it. 7) Praise the Lord that He sent the messenger and the Messiah into your life before that day of the Lord.
