DUH, In The Foyer; A Commentary On Malachi
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
July 1, 2006
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Introduction:July 1, 2006 DUH, In The Foyer A Commentary On Malachi Malachi was a Mr. "In Between." His message surfaced during the absence of Nehemiah (when he returned to Persia 432-425BC), as well as between the Old and New Testaments. (When Nehemiah returned after a seven year absence, he discovered the prophet's message.) Ninety-four years had passed since Zerubbabel and the first wave of returnees arrived to re-establish the nation following the Babylonian captivity. In that nearly one hundred year time-frame, national life was re-established, the Temple was rebuilt, a semi-revival had taken place under Ezra, and the wall around Jerusalem was finished. Also in that period, there was a denigration of true and faithful worship. (One might associate the one hundred year celebration of Azusa Street and the current conflux.) The move from a freshly liberated people, who were grateful for their release, to an arrogant citizenry, with an equally arrogant priesthood, was no small turn. Sent to this scene was Malachi (My Messenger), the prophet. Imagine a people having experienced the blessing of God for almost a hundred years, celebrating that event by the following responses:
Would these examples not serve to signal the same today? Let a Malachi enter a Word (or Bible) Church with probing exactness, and one would observe the same pouting arrogance. Allow God to hurl the following invective into that congregation and observe the result. "This church is not true to the Word." Immediately would come forth, "In what way? How can you say that? What right do you have to make such an observation? Without a moment's hesitation, there would be a wholesale rebuke of the messenger and ultimately, the God who sent him. It happened to Jesus! I once literally burst through the doors of a large Assembly of God Church while they were holding evening services. Without asking or seeking recognition, I cried out in my loudest voice the message of God to that body. The singing group, who were conducting a concert, fell silent as two ushers headed my direction. The pastor dashed to the front of the congregation and declared, "Don't touch him. God spoke those words to me this morning, and I felt it was too strong a word and I failed to deliver it. What he has spoken is from the Lord!" The whole church fell to their knees and began seeking God, repenting and calling out in the fear of the Lord. Mark the difference between a people who walk humbly before the Lord and those of Malachi's day. Ask a righteous man a probing question about a spiritual offense, and his heart will melt and there will be a desire to repent and right the matter. Ask the same question to a hard-hearted religious die- hard and observe him take offense, watch him use rationalization and then assume an attitude of resistance.YHWH began His Word through Malachi with "I have loved you" and ended with "Remember the Law of Moses, My servant." His message was salted with "Return unto Me and I will return unto you." The nation had returned to their homeland, but had not returned unto their Father. God's heart flowed outward to a people whose only concern was establishing their national identity, returning to former lifestyles and to days of economic prosperity. In some respects, they had accomplished their goal! Now, they were a nation out of civil bondage and on the verge of losing their spirit. They had become a State, a State which served as a protectorate to an established and wayward religious order. Is it not the same today? Grouping all the Questions of Priests and People as a Unit: If one will group the fiats emanating from Israel's religious spirit as they passed by the several invitations of the Lord to "know Him," a startling pattern emerges.
Just as the previous groupings reflect a corporate mind, so does the grouping of God's oracles reflect His strong judgment.
To Israel: I have loved you 1:2 You shall say, "The Lord is magnified beyond the border of Israel 1:5"To Gentiles and to the nations: My name shall be great among the Gentiles 1:11 I am a great King, My name is to be feared among the nations 1:14To Edom: They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness 1:4 (speaking to Edom)To the Priests: (when offering sacrifices for the people) Should I accept this from your hand? 1:13?To Judah: The first thing: The second thing:To those that fear Him: A book of remembrance was made before the Lord 3:16The Two Groups Apart From the General Population and the Leadership Group 1: Someone to shut the gates and stand against the crowds 1:10While the priests in complete co-operation with the people were offering stolen, blind and lame offerings on the altar of sacrifice (which was to be a reflection of the coming perfect sacrifice), God called for someone to wake up and shut the gates. While the priests and people stand before God and cry out, "Now we entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us," God calls for someone to shut the gate and their mouths. Group II: Those who feared the Lord 3:16Father or Master?Apart from priests and the general congregants stands a smaller grouping of "Those that feared the Lord." Oh, the contrast! See them as they converse with one another (they are known to each other by the Spirit) 3:16. One might guess the topic of their conversation and their mutual encouragement while standing apart. This group has the ear of God, "The Lord listened and heard (3:16)." He wrote a book of remembrance, recording those who meditate on HIS NAME. He claims them as His. He spares them from the impending judgment. By them a witness and measuring scale is accomplished. When a worldly church observes them, they can ascertain "Who serves God and who does not serve God (3:18)." Perhaps the question of 1:6 is as important in these times as in Malachi's. God is still asking for the church to determine Who He is to them. Am I Father? Then where is my honor? Am I Master? Then where is my respect? Deep in the heart of Malachi was the knowledge that God is a Great King and that He changes not! Malachi knew this was not the case with most of those he addressed. Seemingly, the issue of Malachi was about corrupted offerings, but the theme is greater than that. Hovering over every word of this prophesy is the Lord seeking a holy people to make holy offerings to Him. Those who grasp Chapter three for personal gain and make tithing a consternation and confusion do disservice to this momentous prophecy. Far from collections plates and offering envelopes is the cry ofOriginal Priesthood:If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name, says the Lord of hosts, "I will send a curse upon you." 2:2 The Lord, in 2:4-7, painted a picture of His original intention with Levi and the priesthood. (Are not we priests? Are we exempt from this model? ) Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you (those who fear Him),Then God laid out the leadership role for everyone in five fold ministry: For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger Of the Lord of Hosts. 2:7But those messengers corrupted the "Covenant of Levi." Corruption cannot stand in the presence of the Almighty. When the Lord uttered this phrase, immediately those not in the real covenant of Levi were changed to contemptible beings. Like vileness in Nahum, they became contemptible in their inner most being and all that the people could see was their place before a defiled altar. God also pointed out to Judah the strong connection between one act of disobedience and its rippling influence. Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been Committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. 2:11The Lord contrasted the divorce of the wife of one's youth to the divorce of a people from God. As many of them had married foreign women and worshipped the sun as god, The Lord declared that by contrast the true Sun of Righteousness would arise and there would be healing in His wings. Both priest and people had entered a liaison to "Tread lightly on applying the Law." Their making divorce acceptable did not lesson its effect. God hates divorce! It covers one's garment with violence…therefore take heed to your spirit. 2:16Their actions spoke louder than their words. God said He was wearied with their words. He desired a holy people with a holy offspring. God's Messenger of the Covenant: 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?These words were written to those "who fear the Lord." From 3:16 to the end of the book, every single word of prophecy is written to this group ALONE. The coming day of the Lord, the prophet Elijah, the Sun of Righteousness with healing, the promise of provision, the power over the wicked, the Law of Moses, the statutes and judgments and the turning of hearts is written to God's jewels. If there is a striking of the earth with a curse…it will lie squarely upon the shoulders of that group. A SPECIAL BLESSING: We have been overwhelmed with gratitude for the many folks who are joined with us through this newsletter as subscribers. As we observe the number multiply daily, our hearts give praise to the Living Lord. Recently, some have sent offerings to go directly to missions. We are pleased to act as a connection to ministries on foreign soil. In this month of patriotic appreciation for the independence of our nation, we just wanted to add our appreciation for our spiritual independence as well. Hallelujah, Praise His Name! Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
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