Subject: Stewardship #4-2015 Title: Messages of Malachi - Will a Man Rob God? Text: Malachi 3:8-12 Bulletin Blurb - May 24. 2015 We continue and conclude a series of messages on Stewardship today. Stewardship encompasses everything to which we have access in this life. We own nothing in the absolute sense. The earth is the LORD S, and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1). Man has the distinct privilege and responsibility to manage God s endless resources. With responsibility comes accountability and the prospects of future reward. Well done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21). Rewards are not limited to eternity. God blesses those who exercise good stewardship in the here and now. Matthew 6:33 declares the message loud and clear, But seek ye fi rst the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. The last book in our Old Testament, Malachi, is a very sad book. The Jews have been back in the land for almost 100 years and little progress has been made. Bold arrogance and disrespect characterize God s people. Seemingly they have an answer to every charge leveled against them by the prophet. Haggai spoke of misplaced priorities. The Jews failed in their Stewardship because they were distracted fulfilling their own personal needs. They forgot and lost focus on the mission. Zechariah questioned Israel s motives. Why do you (we) do the things we do? Are we caught up in a mechanical, ritualistic religious experience? Are we trying to please ourselves or God? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31). Malachi questions the honesty of Israel. Israel is concerning itself with cutting corners when it comes to their worship and giving, specifically, their Stewardship! They have come to question God s love, the purpose for their service, and consequently, they have diminished the quality and quantity of their giving. Will a man rob God? (Malachi 3:8). Sure! God loves a cheerful giver. God blesses the cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). God is blessed in our obedience and worship directed toward Him. Introduction to the Message * Malachi is a sad book - it reveals little progress for Israel over a period of 100+ years. * The Bible furnishes no biographical info about Malachi. He was a prophet and a contemporary of Nehemiah. 1
* His name is an abbreviation of Malachiah, which means messenger of Jehovah. * Date of writing: 445-425 B.C. Likely around 433 B.C. The Temple project was complete and the sacrificial system was reestablished. * The sins that Malachi dealt with were the same that Nehemiah dealt with during his second term in Jerusalem - laxity and corruption of priests - mixed marriages - neglect of the tithes and offerings * Disappointment, disillusionment and discouragement characterized the people. * The only O. T. reference to Malachi is Malachi 1:1. * Malachi is written in a Q & A format. * Malachi accuses Israel of: - hypocrisy - infidelity - divorce - mixed marriages - false worship - arrogance * The divine dialogue in Malachi s prophecy was designed as an appeal that would break through the barrier of Israel s disbelief, disappointment, and discouragement. The promised time of prosperity had not yet come, and the prevailing attitude that it was not worth serving Yahweh became evident in their moral and religious corruption. - Bruce Wilkinson, Walk Through the Bible * Israel s compromise, disobedience, and lack of concern were responsible for their present condition. Israel is so spiritually insensitive they are wondering why they are not being blessed by God. * The main subjects of Malachi: - the love of God - judgment for sin - blessings for righteousness * There is a commonly repeated phrase recorded in the book. This signifies Israel s objections, contention and displeasure with the Lord. The phrase, ye say (1:2, 6, 7; 2:14, 17; 3:7, 8, 13). * 47 of 55 verses are spoken by the Lord to Israel. 2
* Malachi is the conclusion of the Old Testament in the English Bible and the connection to the New Testament by its prophecies of John the Baptist and Christ s first coming. * The book closes with a reference to the Day of the Lord. Outline in Q & A Form 1:2 Q. Wherein hast thou loved us? A. God s sovereign election of Israel 1:6 Q. Wherein have we despised they name? A. You offer polluted bread on my altar. 1:7 Q. Wherein have we polluted thee? A. In that ye say the table of the Lord is scornful. 2:14 Q. Wherefore? A. Unfaithfulness in marriage 2:17 Q. Wherein have we wearied him? A. With words: evil-good and good-evil - Where is the God of judgment? 3:7 Q. Wherein shall we return? A. Where did we go astray? 3:8 Q. Wherein have we robbed thee? A. In tithes and offerings 3:13 Q. What have we spoken so much against thee? A. It is vain to serve the Lord - what profit is there in obedience? When It comes to STEWARDSHIP - Haggai deals with PRIORITIES. - Zechariah deals with MOTIVATION. - Malachi deals with HONESTY. Key phrases: Haggai 1:6, Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Zechariah 7:5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fi fth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? 6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? 3
Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings Outline for Malachi I. Introduction (1:1) II. God s Love Rejected (1:2-5) III. The Sins of the Priests (1:6-2:9) IV. The Sins of the People (2:10-3:15) V. The Book of Remembrance (3:16-4:3) VI. Final Invitation and Warning (4:4-5) Key Dates 606 B.C. Initial Siege by Babylonians 586 Destruction of Jerusalem 536 Building of the Temple begun 520 Haggai and Zechariah 1-8 516 Temple complete 480 Zechariah 9-14 445 Nehemiah rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem 425 Malachi prophesies (445-425 B.C.) Four hundred silent years Question 1: Wherein hast thou loved us? (1:2) * They questioned God s love for them. * The Lord rehearses His great plan for Israel and His sovereign election of the nation of Israel (1:2-5). * This is the context of the Jacob and Esau comparison. Question 2 & 3: Wherein have we despised thy name? (1:6) * The second charge against Israel is found in 1:6-8: - Israel is disrespectful. Israel does not honor or fear the Lord. - Israel offers polluted (defiled, desecrated) bread. The offerings are contemptible (despicable). - The charges were aimed at the priests, those charged with teaching the people! - The priests offered crippled and blind animals! See: Leviticus 22:18-25 Deuteronomy 15:21 And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifi ce it unto the Lord thy God. 4
- what a weariness (1:13) - ye have snuffed at it - snuffed = disesteem - Wherein have we polluted thee? (1:7) Question 4: Wherefore? (2:14) * Israel has profaned the holiness of the Lord (2:11) through their unfaithfulness to him. They have intermarried with the heathen of the land. * First evidence - illegal intermarriage (2:11, 12). Second evidence - divorce (2:13-16a) * take heed to your spirit - 2:15-16 - you ve got a bad attitude! * ye have wearied the Lord with your words (2:17). Question 5: Wherein have we wearied him? (2:17) * The people are once again oblivious to their sin, Wherein have we wearied him? (2:17) Words! * The cause of their question - Why do the unrighteous prosper? Why do good people suffer? (2:17). * God is unjust! Where is judgment? Question 6: Wherein shall we return? (3:7) * Israel has a history of disobedience and rejection of the Law of God. Israel is filled with wickedness, a sampling is given in 3:5 - sorcerers...adulterers...false swearers... oppress the hireling...the widow...the fatherless...stranger. * The people once again are oblivious to the charges and they are spiritually insensitive. This attitude sparks the question of 3:7, Wherein shall we return? Israel pretends to be or is ignorant of her waywardness. * God, where are you coming from? You are really out of touch. Question 7: Wherein have we robbed thee? (3:8) * Israel is accused of being a thief! Stealing from men is one thing, only a fool would attempt to rob God! * Israel is disrespectful toward the Lord. They do not honor or fear Him. This leads to the profaning of the offerings. The quality of the sacrifices is in question. Now the quantity is in question. * Bring ye all the tithes... (3:10). 5
Leviticus 27:30-32, And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord s: it is holy unto the Lord...32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the fl ock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord. See Deuteronomy 12:5-18; 14:22-26 * Since the Temple was God s house (3:10), failure to support its ministries was considered equal to robbing God Himself! * God promises a good return on their investments in return for honest giving (3:11, 12). * The obedience-blessing relationship provided great affirmation to those who were honest in their giving. * I cannot say that the New Testament Church lives under the same legal compulsion to give - but I can say this generosity and blessing are inseparably connected in the Scriptures. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye fi rst the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. II Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. * I can say that grace has no upper limit for a person s generosity. Grace is a much greater motivational force than the stark legal requirements of the Law. Legalism leads to Ritualism. * Malachi 3:11 is the exact opposite of Haggai 1:6, And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fi eld, saith the Lord of hosts. Question 8: What have we spoken so much against thee? (3:13) * What have we said against thee? * You said: - It is vain to serve the Lord (3:14) - What profit is in the keeping of God s ordinances? (3:14) - But we ve repented! We have a repentant attitude before the Lord (3:14). 6
* The Jews observe that righteousness does not pay off (3:15). * The Book of Remembrance contradicts these false conclusions (3:16). * Chapter 4 - God rights all wrongs and brings righteous judgment. All accounts are not settled in this life. * God does not need your money, service or worship, however, He is pleased when His children choose to be obedient. * When we give, God is pleased and much like a parent who observes his child obeying and acting in a righteous manner, God pours out His blessings on that individual. Faith pleases God. Faith is simply believing God and acting upon that belief. * What is your vision for how life will end for you? What will your eternity look like? You must have a vision for what you want it to be and work backwards from there to now to determine how you must prioritize and order your life. * This is true in building anything - a resume - a home - an education - a spiritual heritage - a family - a retirement - a business - anything of worth or importance. Additional Malachi Info * The book ends with a curse (4:6). * Seven occurrences: 1:14; 2:2 (2x); 3:9; 4:6 * Malachi contains 26 questions: - God s - 1:6, 8-10, 13; 2:15; 3:2, 8 - Israel s - 1:2, 6, 7; 2:10, 13, 17: 3:7, 8, 13, 14 * Malachi 4:5 - Elijah = Elias - 30+ mentions in N.T. - Mark 9:13; Luke 1:17; John 1:21; Matthew 17:3, 4 - Matthew 17:10-12; 16:14; 27:47, 48 7