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Today we conclude our study of God’s message to his people long ago in the last book of the Old Testament. The prophet, Malachi, was commissioned by God with one purpose in mind. It was his goal to reestablish standards of excellence amongst God’s people. He was wanting to see them take the next step in their relationship with God and their relationship with each other. His goal was the same as our goal as a church family this year as we are wanting to all take the next step in our relationship with God and each other.
So far in our study of Malachi, we have looked at our relationship with God; our relationship with our children, grandchildren, the children in our church and community for whom we are their spiritual aunts and uncles; our friendships in life; the relationship we have in marriage if we are married, and how we handle our money and finances in relationship to God. Today, we see what Malachi says to God’s people about living their life for him when it comes to our morals.
Malachi 3:13-15…
3 “You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord.
“But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’
14 “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? 15 From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”
The people are complaining that being good people and living clean moral lives for God doesn’t pay. They are saying bad people are finishing first and evil doers are prospering.
Psalm 73:1-14…
Truly God is good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud
when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people;
they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil;
in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens,
and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
11 “What does God know?” they ask.
“Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 Look at these wicked people—
enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.
Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73 voices the same concern. He complains that people who are rebels have more fun in their pursuit of happiness as they live their life for what pleases them. They have things a lot better than those who follow God’s way of living when it comes to their morals.
Psalm 73:15-28…
If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
BUT THEN, Asaph realizes that what happens in the end really matters…
The Slippery Rock Principle – Psalm 73:18: Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
The Final Destination Principle – Psalm 73:27: Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.
See also Malachi 3:16-4:1…
16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.
Malachi 4:2-6…
2 “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.[a] And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. 3 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
4 “Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant—all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai[b] for all Israel.
5 “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
Malachi turns from the negative to the positive and to the good news that on that final day, there is another picture – A picture of a different group of people. It is the picture of those the world considers crazy for living for God, but who will one day live in the presence of his Son, and with praise and dancing proclaim – IT WAS WORTH IT! So: Will we give our best, to the one who gave HIS best for us?
Taking It Home
We encourage you to take a few minutes today and this week to process this morning’s message. These questions are designed for discussion with your family, a friend, mentor, spouse, and small group. They are also useful for self-reflection.
1. What stands out to you in these passages from the Bible? From the message?
2. What is difficult for you to understand or accept in these passages from the Bible? From the message?
3. What is God saying in these passages and through what we heard in the message about Himself? About people? About you?
4. What examples are there to follow, commands to obey, or promises to stand on from these passages in the Bible, and from what we heard in the message?
