GOD’S LOVE: OUR RESPONSE IN WORSHIP OF HIM

MALACHI 1:1-14 - 2:9? (Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

Reading: Neh 13:1-31.

Songs:

Theme: the failure of ingratitude in not giving God our very best

INTRODUCTION

A. When people become unhappy and dissatisfied with life in general they live primarily for pleasure or entertainment. . Such an attitudes is prevalent in all areas of our society. It is the reason so many people feel empty and without though probably more prosperous the people of most other countries. It is one of the reason for the success of night clubs, other alcohol drinking establishments, and as a direct consequence such behavior as fornication and addictions - drugs, gambling, etc.

B. Such an attitude is not limited to secular society, but is also prevalent in religion. Many people divide up their lives, part for family, part for job, part for friends, part for recreation and part for their spiritual matters. The problem is, frequently the spiritual part which should be the largest parcel is often the smallest as is evidenced by the millions who gather into sports stadiums on Sunday. Consequently, many of those who profess to be God’s people, Christians, live tired, spiritual lives. But this is not the abundant life to which Christ calls his people. As a result of their spiritual boredom, many wonder from place to place, giving themselves spiritually here and there.

C. Why do people take such a disposition with their spiritual lives and worship of God? Some in trying to get away with do only what they think they need to do, cheapen it for themselves so that it becomes something not worth much to them. Some try to make it self pleasing and so forced to do it God’s way they loose interest. Others do other things. However, whatever the attitude that leads to a heartless worship, such worship becomes a drudgery to those involved in it.

D. The prophet Malachi prophesied to a people who had tired of serving God properly or acceptably. They had developed a problem of religious boredom (Mal 1:13). They were a people who by their attitude, in offering worship of him and their life before him, profaned his name.

E. Recorded in The Book Of Malachi, are several powerful points for our spiritual consideration, since even in our times, tiring of properly serving God is a common problem among many people. Malachi’s message is as relevant and powerful today as it was when Malachi presented it to Israel. It is still relevant is because the spiritual conditions of God’s people which Malachi confronted are similar to the spiritual conditions of many Christians.

Discussion

I. REFUSED HONESTY (1:1-5).

A. The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel (1:1).

1 ¶ The burden <04853> of the word <01697> of the LORD <03068> to Israel <03478> by <03027> Malachi <04401>. {by…: Heb. by the hand of}

1. burden, Strong’s - 04853. asm MASSAÆ mas-saw’; from 05375; a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire:— burden, carry away, prophecy, X they set, song, tribute.

TWOT-1421d, 1421e; AV-burden 57, song 3, prophecy 2, set 1, exaction 1, carry away 1, tribute 1; 66 n m 1) load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting 1a) load, burden 1b) lifting,uplifting, that to which the soul lifts itself up 1c) bearing, carrying 1d) tribute, that which is carried or brought or borne 2) utterance, oracle, burden Massa =" burden" n pr m 3) (BDB) a son of Ishmael

a. It may seem odd to use the word burden to mean prophecy of God..

b. The word prophecy is a burden or a heavy to bear at times both for the messenger and the recipients of the message (cf. Jer 15:1; Eze 2:8-3:3; Rev 10:9).

c. After listening restlessly to a long and tedious sermon, a 6-year-old boy asked his dad what the preacher did the rest of the week. The dad told the boy the preacher was a very busy man taking care of church business, visits, working on his sermons, counseling people and then taking some time to rest up because speaking in public wasn’t an easy job. The boy thought for a moment and then told his dad, “Listening wasn’t easy, either!” ^[1] [adapted]

d. It is especially difficult to listen when the message is something that we don’t really want to hear.

e. Malachi had the task of communicating to people serious matters, not light, fluffy stuff that would tickle the ears but what was going to trouble their souls (Jer 23:29).

2. Malachi - "my messenger" or "messenger of Jehovah."

God’s Love Declared

B. I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us (1:2-5).

2 I have loved <0157> (8804) you, saith <05002> (8803) the LORD <03068>. Yet ye say <0559> (8804), Wherein hast thou loved <0157> (8804) us? Was not Esau <06215> Jacob’s <03290> brother <0251>? saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068>: yet I loved <0157> (8799) Jacob <03290>,

1. Having declared his love for his people, Israel questioned God’s love for them (v 2; cp. 6; 7; 2:17; 3:8, 13).

a. Clearly given their history and God’s having worked in it, they weren’t expressing a truth.

b. They were not being honest.

c. This was evidence that the people had moved in a direction away from God.

d. Nearly one hundred years earlier the nation had been judged by God and allowed to be taken into exile.

(1) After King Solomon died, Israel was split into two kingdoms.

(a) The northern kingdom had ten tribes and was referred to as Israel.

(b) The southern kingdom had two tribes and was known as Judah.

(2) Because of the northern kingdom continued in disobedience, God allowed the Assyrians take Israel in captivity.

(3) Even though the southern kingdom saw it happen, they, too, continued to rebel against God.

(a) God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to take Judah into captivity.

(b) Jerusalem was destroyed, the walls were knocked down, and the temple was burned.

(4) In fulfillment of prophecy (Jer 29:10) after seventy years of captivity, the people of Judah were allowed to return to their homeland.

(a) Under Haggai’s the prophet they laid the foundations of the temple.

(b) The Temple was completed during Zechariah’s time.

(d) The last return came under the leadership of Nehemiah.

(5) They had returned to the land, replanted their fields, and rebuilt some of Jerusalem which included reconstructing the temple.

(6) However, their spiritual zeal had fizzled and their worship of God had turned to an empty formalism.

(7) They were spiritually lethargic, spiritually lax, indifferent and skeptical.

(8) Malachi tried to show them that God loved them, that their problems had not the resulted from God having tuned away from them; but a direct result of their having turned from God (cp. Isa 59:1-2).

e. The Book of Malachi explains to us what happens to people when they become spiritually bored, tired of godly obedience..

f. It was Malachi’s mandate to call the people back to a vibrant relationship with the living God.

g. In speaking of God’s love, his having chosen Jacob over Esau, Malachi attempted to draw Israel’s attention of Israel to their in gratitude and lack of devotion to God.

(1) In observing the evil, injustice and other hardships people face each day many blame God, even Christians, still asking, “If there is a God, where is the evidence of his love?”

(2) The Jews were asking the same question.

(3) The prophet tired to explain just how much and long God had loved Israel.

God’s Love Demonstrated

C. ... And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste ... And your eyes shall see ... (1:3-5).

3 And I hated <08130> (8804) Esau <06215>, and laid <07760> (8799) his mountains <02022> and his heritage <05159> waste <08077> for the dragons <08568> of the wilderness <04057>.

4 Whereas Edom <0123> saith <0559> (8799), We are impoverished <07567> (8795), but we will return <07725> (8799) and build <01129> (8799) the desolate places <02723>; thus saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>, They shall build <01129> (8799), but I will throw down <02040> (8799); and they shall call <07121> (8804) them, The border <01366> of wickedness <07564>, and, The people <05971> against whom the LORD <03068> hath indignation <02194> (8804) for <05704> ever <05769>.

5 And your eyes <05869> shall see <07200> (8799), and ye shall say <0559> (8799), The LORD <03068> will be magnified <01431> (8799) from the border <01366> of Israel <03478>. {from: or, upon: Heb. from upon}

1. In speaking of the two nations represented by Jacob and Esau - Israel and Edom, Malachi pointed their attention to God’s having favored Jacob and his people over Esau and his people.

(1) God’s love of Israel was demonstrated in the contrasting fates of the two nations.

(a) The history of Edom was very different from the history of Israel.

(b) Even from before Jacob and Esau was born, before they had become the fathers of two great nations, God had declared Esau would serve Jacob.

i) This was not evidence in support of Calvinistic predestination.

ii) God did not arbitrarily choose Jacob over Esau (Ro 9:10-13) but instead had in his foreknowledge, rejected Esau’s disregard for responsibility.

iii) Accordingly God allowed Edom to go into captivity (Nebuchadnezzar - Jer 49:7ff; 25:9, 21) and declared he would not to restore them to their land, though they had boasted they would return again to rebuild it.

(2) On the other hand Israel had been restored to their land and was to continue even to seeing God’s word of Edom fulfilled.

b. Jacob's posterity could not deny that throughout their history, God had clearly demonstrated his love toward them over Esau's descendants.

c. God's love for Israel should have drawn from them a response of love in return, but instead they were charged denied God’s love.

d. God’s love should also draw a proper response of love from us, demonstrated through our acceptable worship of him from our hearts, and a proper lifestyle of obedience living (Joh 14:15).

2. God blesses all but no more then he blesses each of us in our relationship to him through Jesus (Rom 5:6).

a. He has given us all spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3; Ga 3:26-29).

b. How is your relationship with God, building or deteriorating, growing or dying (Heb 6:1-8)?

Transition: In addition to not being honest about God’s love for them, they refused to honor him.

II. REFUSED TO HONOR (1:6-11),

Their Relationship To God

A. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master ... .where is mine honour? and ... where is my fear? saith the LORD .. (1:6-8; cf. Exo 20:12; 21:15, 17; Deu 21:18-21.).

6 ¶ A son <01121> honoureth <03513> (8762) his father <01>, and a servant <05650> his master <0113>: if then I be a father <01>, where is mine honour <03519>? and if I be a master <0113>, where is my fear <04172>? saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635> unto you, O priests <03548>, that despise <0959> (8802) my name <08034>. And ye say <0559> (8804), Wherein have we despised <0959> (8804) thy name <08034>?

1. It was only proper that the people honor, revere and fear God, the almighty, but they did not honor, revere and fear him.

a. This was evidence the people had moved away from God - didn’t honor him.

b. Typically, children honor their parents.

c. Typically, a servant or as would be for us, employees honor their employer.

d. It would only follow that children of God would honor God.

e. Certainly God was their father and Lord in that it was he who created and brought up Israel (Isa 63:16; Jer 31:9; Psa 100:3).

(1) Yet, they by their behavior, despised, mocked and sneered at God and his word.

(2) There are many today who take part in the same behavior.

(3) It is what is done in denominationalism whether knowingly or out of ignorance, even if the only thing different between them and the truth is the mechanical instrument issue.

(4) It is certainly what former brethren do when they change the name from Christ to something generic such as the Community church, especially in their being ashamed of the Lord’s name, viewing it a detriment to winning souls to the Lord.

(5) It is certainly what any one of us will be doing if we refuse in worship or Bible studies to hold to what God has commanded.

f. God was speaking to the people as well as the priests, the religious leaders of the congregation of God’s people.

(1) The reply from those to whom Malachi was sent was, “Wherein have we despised thy name?”

7 Ye offer <05066> (8688) polluted <01351> (8794) bread <03899> upon mine altar <04196>; and ye say <0559> (8804), Wherein have we polluted <01351> (8765) thee? In that ye say <0559> (8800), The table <07979> of the LORD <03068> is contemptible <0959> (8737). {offer…: or, bring unto, etc}

8 And if ye offer <05066> (8686) the blind <05787> for sacrifice <02076> (8800), is it not evil <07451>? and if ye offer <05066> (8686) the lame <06455> and sick <02470> (8802), is it not evil <07451>? offer <07126> (8685) it now unto thy governor <06346>; will he be pleased <07521> (8799) with thee, or accept <05375> (8799) thy person <06440>? saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>. {for: Heb. to}

(2) Their worship was contemptible.

(a) They had offered “polluted bread.”

(b) polluted, Strong’s - 01351. lag GAÆAL gaw-al’; a primitive root, [rather identified with 01350, through the idea of freeing, i.e. repudiating]; to soil or (figuratively) desecrate:— defile, pollute, stain.

TWOT-301; v AV-pollute 7, defile 3, stain 1; 11 1) to defile, pollute, desecrate 1a) (Niphal) to be defiled, be polluted 1b) (Piel) to pollute, desecrate 1c) (Pual) to be desecrated (of removal from priesthood) 1d) (Hiphil) to pollute, stain 1e) (Hithpael) to defile oneself

(3) They had offered unacceptable sacrifices.

(a) The law required all sacrifices to be without blemish, the best (Lev 22:17 ff; Deu 15:21).

(b) Instead they offered to God in worship that was worse then left overs; what they themselves didn’t want.

(c) Each of us would do well to consider our own worship and whether or not we are offering God left overs rather then our best (1Co 11:28-29).

(4) God questioned them about what they might expect in offering such service to the governor.

(a) We might do well to consider what would probably be the outcome of offering such laxadasical service to someone such as an employer.

(b) Most likely it would get us fired.

(5) Like as with the people to whom Malachi addressed, when our response to God’s love does not meet the standards we have set in other areas of our lives, such as with socially important people or our employer, we are showing contempt for God rather than honor.

B. ... Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought ... (1:9-11).

9 And now, I pray you, beseech <02470> (8761) <06440> God <0410> that he will be gracious <02603> (8799) unto us: this hath been by your means <03027>: will he regard <05375> (8799) your persons <06440>? saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>. {God: Heb. the face of God} {by…: Heb. from your hand}

10 Who is there even among you that would shut <05462> (8799) the doors <01817> for nought? neither do ye kindle <0215> (8686) fire on mine altar <04196> for nought <02600>. I have no pleasure <02656> in you, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>, neither will I accept <07521> (8799) an offering <04503> at your hand <03027>.

1. for nought, Strong’s - 02600. Mnx chinnam khin-nawm’; from 02580; gratis, i.e. devoid of cost, reason or advantage:— without a cause (cost, wages), causeless, to cost nothing, free(-ly), innocent, for nothing (nought, in vain.

TWOT-694b; adv AV-without cause 15, for nought 6, causeless 2, in vain 2, free 1, without cost 1, freely 1, innocent 1, cost me nothing 1, for nothing 1, without wages 1; 32 1) freely, for nothing, without cause 1a) gratis, gratuitously, for nothing 1b) for no purpose, in vain 1c) gratuitously, without cause, undeservedly

2. Rather then false, unacceptable, inconsiderate, heartless worship or religion, God said it would have been better to close the doors to the temple.

3. This is exactly what the Lord told the church at Laodicea (Rev 3:14-19).

11 For from the rising <04217> of the sun <08121> even unto the going down <03996> of the same my name <08034> shall be great <01419> among the Gentiles <01471>; and in every place <04725> incense <06999> (8716) shall be offered <05066> (8716) unto my name <08034>, and a pure <02889> offering <04503>: for my name <08034> shall be great <01419> among the heathen <01471>, saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>.

4. Perhaps in reference to the days following Peter’s first of gospel sermons, God was referring to the Gentiles who would convert to the him and offer acceptable worship.

a. It is important for us to remember today when we consider that many of the denominational world take their worship, assemblies and evangelism, with more reverence then we sometimes do.

b. It is this that causes some to forsake our assemblies to worship with the denominations.

c. It is this which causes some to wonder how God could be displeased with denominationalism.

d. Therefore, if we don’t want our assemblies, our worship of God to work against us; to be a curse, we need to start working harder together, on our worship, our attitudes toward our assembling together and our evangelism.

Transition:

III. REFUSAL HONORABILITY (1:12-14).

Truthful

A. ... ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible). Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it ... (1:11-12).

12 But ye have profaned <02490> (8764) it, in that ye say <0559> (8800), The table <07979> of the LORD <03068> is polluted <01351> (8794); and the fruit <05108> thereof, even his meat