A Plea to Return to God

August 30, 2015 Background Scripture: Malachi 3:1 – 12; Matthew 7:12 Lesson Passage: Malachi 3:1 – 10 Today’s lesson is part of the spiritual preparation that was prescribed for Israel prior to the arrival of the Messiah. Today, Malachi’s prophecy is often quoted only in reference to financial rewards or curses based on obedience in matters pertaining to tithes and offerings. Although we have often heard a focus on verses 8 through 10 in the lesson passage, this lesson is an opportunity to see that there is much more to this part of Malachi’s message than a brief exposition on tithes and offerings. God’s desire was that the hearts of the people would be turned towards Him so that He would open their eyes and show them what He was doing in their midst. Malachi’s message revealed that the Lord’s return would be preceded by His messenger going before Him to prepare the hearts of the people to receive Him. This preparation involved repentance as evidenced by contrition and change of thoughts and actions. The message of God’s messenger, or the Messiah’s forerunner, would not be easy on the ears of God’s people. The message would be like a purifying fire. The results would be great but the process would be painful to endure. The religious leaders of Israel would not be exempt. They were subject to the same spiritual scrutiny. They would come under conviction and be challenged to make offerings unto God that would be pleasing to Him. If not for the mercy of God to temper His wrath, the people of God would be destroyed because of their lack of holiness. This was especially true concerning their actions and inactions towards the least in their society. God would judge quickly the unrighteous acts towards the poor and helpless. God reminded them of their wayward actions towards Him that extended back for generations. God had delivered the Law to their forefathers by the hand of Moses. The Law was clear that Israel had the choice of receiving blessings or curses based on their acceptance of and adherence to the Law. If they followed the statutes and listened to the voice of God, then they would be blessed. If the people refused to heed the law of God, then they would be cursed. There was no in-between or compromise in the Law. The Law offered blessings or curses and the people were allowed to choose for themselves. Their long history of disobedience to the Law had caused the people to live under a curse. Some may not have even known it. Malachi’s message cleared it up for the confused. The people of Israel were not having a string of bad luck as some might have supposed, but they were living under the curse of the Law. Their hope was to get back in line with God and have the blessings of the Law bestowed on them again. First, their hearts had to be prepared to receive God’s greatest promise to them—a Messiah in their midst. They could not live contrary to God’s way and receive the Messiah. Neither could they live estranged from the commonwealth and governance of God over their lives. Malachi’s plea to Israel was for them to return to God. Robert C. Hudson August 5, 2015