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Malachi - Prophet of God’s Love – Past, Present, and Future (3 of 3)

Focus Text: Malachi 3.1-5

“‘Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,’ Says the LORD of hosts. ‘But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the LORD, As in the days of old, As in former years. And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien—Because they do not fear Me,’ Says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3.1-5).

The proof that God is a God of love, not just of the past and present but also of the future, is contained in this statement from today’s focus text: “Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the LORD, As in the days of old, As in former years.” Israel’s glory had certainly departed as compared to the former years! David, Solomon, the Temple, magnificence even in the eyes of heathen nations – all of this had departed. The once proud City now was largely a city of ruins and remembrances. The temple once again stood intact, but its latter glory was nothing to compare with the glory-years (see Ezra 3.12 & Haggai 2.3). God’s wrath had been poured out on Israel because of her failure to continue in His covenant; their banishment to Babylonian captivity was intended to be but a means to bring her once again to her knees, a position from which she would once again look to Jehovah for daily blessings.

The future glory-years which Malachi predicted were actually fulfilled, not in literal Israel, but in spiritual Israel, the Church! John the immerser was to be the forerunner of Messiah as indicated by the focus text. Following the work of the forerunner, Messiah was to “…suddenly come to His temple.” Note carefully the expression “His temple.” It was not to be the temple of the Jews, not even the temple in Jerusalem; rather it was to be “His temple.” This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus resurrected from the dead and when He began to reign in glory from the right hand of the Father (see John 2.19-22). The physical glory of the former temple was supplanted and eclipsed by the spiritual beauty of Messiah! The future love of God of which Malachi spoke was the great love which He manifested through the gift of His Son and the gospel system which honors Him!

The God of the Bible is a God of love – past, present, and future. In as much as the nature of God does not change, it must be that way. If God is love (and He is) as John pointed out (1 John 4.8 & 16), than that love must transcend all ages and dispensations; God MUST be a God of love – past, present, and future! A word of encouragement: God loves me just as much today as He did yesterday; I need to live in a manner that takes advantage of that love!

Questions:

1. Who was the messenger who prepared the way for Messiah?

2. What did he do to prepare the way? Why was this necessary?

3. How could Jesus refer to His body as a temple? Who else (what other passages) refer to the church as a temple?

4. How can I live such that I take advantage of God’s love? What do I do that tends to refuse of minimize the love which God has for me?

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

A Lot Of Salt