Malachi 2:17-3:5 A Messenger
God promised Israel that He would send a special messenger who would “prepare the way” before Him. We have met this messenger. His name was John the Baptist.
We have the gift of being on this side of the promise God is speaking of to His people through Malachi. Jesus Himself told us that John the Baptist was that messenger. And what a messenger he was! He did exactly as God said he would, which was to prepare the way and announce the Messiah’s appearance.
The words given to Malachi are a bit jumbled TO ME. It took me a bit to separate the first messenger and the Messenger. John the Baptist would judge rightly those who came to see him, including the Pharisees whom he called vipers. But Jesus is the one who does the true refining and purification. He brought righteousness to those who sought Him in spirit and in truth. He continues to bring that same righteousness to those who seek Him today, in spirit and in truth.
When Jesus came, He was NOT received by the Levites. He was rejected. This leads me to believe that the portion of this prophecy about the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem pleasing the Lord as in the days of old is reserved for a future date. The nation of Israel is still waiting for their messiah. I use a little “m” here because the TRUE Messiah has already come. They just refuse to accept that fact. The messiah they are looking for will be one who tells them whatever they want to hear. He will NOT be from God but will be one ‘appointed’ by man.
When He comes again, He will purify the Temple and the people who remain. THEN their offerings will be pleasing to the Lord. He will also bring swift judgment when He comes so man can start again fresh. There will be no more poor or oppressed. He will be Father to the fatherless. And the sojourner will be welcomed.
Until that day, we are to share the news of the TRUE Messiah’s love and His redemptive work. We are to herald the news that He is ready, willing, and able to refine us now and to make us pure. So that we are ready to stand with Him in the final battle. Don’t wait until the last moment for we don’t know when that will come; for man or for us as individuals.
One point I want to go back to from our reading is man’s attempt to tell God when to act. In the first section man is calling evil good while other men are asking why God doesn’t mete out their idea of justice right now. We don’t know His timing or His plans. All we can know is that He KNOWS what He is doing. HE knows the perfect time. And ALL the steps along the way. WHEN the time is right, HE WILL act exactly as HE decides.
Father God, THANK YOU for sending Your Son to make a way for me to be righteous too. I trust You to know when, how, and where each step of Your plan is carried out. I wouldn’t have any idea where to begin if I tried taking on Your job! As much as I want to see and end to despair, poverty, disease, and sin I’ll wait for You. And I’ll keep praying for my children along the way.
