Malachi 1-4
Posted October 8, 2014

Having just read through these four chapters again, I think this is one of the richest parts of the Old Testament.   Every passage gives some guidance, delivers a promise or points out an area that should be addressed.   Let's take a quick look:

Chapter 1:   God doesn't hate, so when He says He "hated Esau" what is meant is that He showed preference to Jacob over Esau.   The punishments that are falling upon the Edomites are deserved because of their rebellious and prideful actions.  It isn't because God chooses to create, and then destroy without cause or reason.

The idea of "what did you bring to sacrifice?" is key here.   God is looking at the value and quality of what we offer.   Consider that your actions, your finances, your talents and your time are all a part of your sacrifice.   What quality are you offering?   Is it the best of your time, or the time you have left over....if you have any left over?   Do you use your skills and abilities to create wealth for yourself, and not for God?   How have you used your skills to bring glory to God?
Bringing to the Lord what is left over only serves to incur His wrath.   Better not to sacrifice at all,  Giving a bad sacrifice is kind of like leaving a few coins for a tip at an expensive restaurant..after you have received good service.   It lets the wait staff know that you  didn't forget, but you don't really appreciate their service either.     It would be better if you hadn't tipped at all.  At least then they wouldn't be insulted.  
Taking that thought a step further:  it would be more like walking out of the restaurant and only paying a portion of the bill.....because God is due the sacrifice.   it isn't a "tip".

In Chapter 2  the priests are charged with marrying foreign women, and abandoning their wives.
After the time of Nehemiah the people were pretty much left to govern themselves with regard to their religion.  That is to say no one is forcing them to marry other women.  They are doing this voluntarily, and no one is protesting.    I'm not sure what the allure of foreign women was to the Israelites, but I know that it was a real stumbling block for the priests.   In fact, it remains a stumbling block still today for ministers and other church leaders.

Chapter 3 is a pointed discussion about not paying your tithe.  If we don't contribute back to the Lord the portion He has asked of us, then we have no right to assume He is going to give us His blessing.

Chapter 4 is a reminder that God is returning to reward the faithful and punish the wicked.  The thought here is "since God will return, we should do what is right...so we will be rewarded, not punished when He shows up unexpectedly".     I know that John the Baptist fulfills the passage about Elijah coming before the day of the Lord, but maybe it will be fulfilled again by another witness in the last days.   In Johns day God certainly did come, but it wasn't to judge the earth, as is mentioned here.   I suspect that we should look for another similar witness crying out and preparing the way.   Perhaps that person is already doing their work.

PR