Malachi 3:1-5
Introduction:
1. The Old Covenant closes with a note of anticipation as God’s messenger would usher in the final chapter in God’s epic biblical narrative (3:1; 4:5-6).
2. This final chapter has the Messiah coming to purify God’s people (3:1-5).
Discussion:
I. Corruption in Jerusalem
A. Spiritually, the returned exiles were despising God’s name by:
1. Offering polluted sacrifices (1:6-11).
2. Viewing the worship of God as contemptible (1:12-14).
3. Perverting the role of the priesthood (2:1-9)
B. Morally, they were profaning the covenant in:
1. Marrying pagan wives (2:10-12; Exodus 34:13-16; Deuteronomy 7:3-4).
2. Treacherously divorcing their legitimate wives (2:13-16).
C. Bad theology was the root of it all as they questioned God’s love (1:2-4).
II. Impending Judgment
A. Their misconceptions progressed so far that they accused God of favoring evil and being aloof (2:17; 3:13-15 cf. Isaiah 5:20); is it any wonder they lived as they did?
B. For such, the Lord would suddenly come to His temple and purge the evil from His people, beginning with the priesthood (3:1-5; 4:1-6; Matthew 11:13-14; Luke 1:16-17, 76).
III. The Messiah’s Purifying Work
A. Malachi highlighted the gravity of the Messiah’s approach asking, “But who can endure the day of His coming? And Who can stand when He appears?” (3:2).
B. The images of refiner’s fire and fuller’s soap indicate a painful purification process, confirmed by the constant angst of His opponents (Hebrews 12:11; 1 Peter 1:6-7).
C. Thankfully, He created a new, purified priesthood empowered by His perpetual cleansing to offer pleasing sacrifices to God (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 13:15).
Conclusion:
1. Purging spiritual and moral corruption is always painful and difficult.
2. However, the resultant blessings are worth the pain and difficulty (Malachi 4:1-2).
3. Let us stay near the refiner’s bench, so He can make us as we ought to be.
Further Food for Thought
1. Have you ever found yourself questioning God’s love because of the state of the world?
2. Have difficulties ever brought you to or near to seeing service to God as a weariness?
3. What do you suggest we do to avoid falling into or to escape the trap they fell into?