Recap

So far in Malachi, we’ve read through the first three of God’s back and forths with his people. Malachi is a prophet speaking to those who have returned from exile. The book is structured as a series of back and forths between God and his people. God brings a claim, the people then challenge the claim, and God points to the truth of what he says.

God told the people he has loved them, but they doubted him, showing their lack of trust in God. He then pointed to the nation of Edom. God didn’t choose Edom, and they went into exile like Israelites. But unlike the Israelites, they never returned from exile. The fact that God has redeemed the Jews from exiles shows how much he loves them.

God then challenged the people for polluting their worship. When the people asked how, he pointed to their subpar offerings that they wouldn't even serve at their own table. The Levites had failed in their responsibilities and allowed the worship of the people to get to this state.

Next up was an accusation that the people had given up on their covenants with God and one another. The men had married foreign women, allowing their foreign worship to continue in the land. This then tempted the people away from God, breaking their covenant with him. But to make it worse, many of the men weren’t even remaining faithful to the covenants they were making with their wives, abandoning them to chase after other women.

Finally, God challenged the people for allowing evil people free rein. The people argue that it doesn’t matter because God is okay with it, or that he’s doesn’t even care about justice.

Malachi 3-4

God responds to this claim from the people that he’s not there or that he celebrates those who do evil. He tells the people that he will come soon with his messenger. This messenger will go before God, preparing the way for him.

But he warns them that they should be concerned. When he comes, it will be like a purifying fire, ready to burn up anything impure. It is when the people have been purified that they will be begin to worship him properly. At that time, he will pass judgement on the wicked; those who practise magic, adulterers, liars, and those who oppress the poor and the marginalised, not fearing God. The warning there is yes, God is coming, but you better make sure you're not one of these before he comes.

Next, God tells his people to return to him. They ask him how, and he points out by not robbing him of what is rightfully his. The people had stopped giving their tithes, ten percent of their earnings, that was to be used for the upkeep of the temple and the care of the poor. If the people will be faithful to him in this, then he will pour out blessing on them and make sure their harvests never fail.

Then comes the final back and forth. God accuses the people of speaking harshly about him. They ask how and he points to how they’ve told others there’s no value in following God. Those who do what they want are the happiest and prosper.

While this is being said, there are some among the people who fear God. God makes note of these people. When he comes, he will save these people, so that all will see the difference between the righteous and the wicked. Between those who serve and fear God, and those who don't.

Then God speaks of a future a day, where there will be a fire that burns away all evildoers. But for those who fear God, it will be like the sun rising on a new dawn, bringing healing and restoration. No longer will they be oppressed by the wicked, but they will stand over them in victory.

This leads to the conclusion. The core of what will lead the people back to God. God encourages these people to be faithful, remembering and obeying the teachings that he gave Moses and have been passed down to them. The scriptures will guide them.

In the future, God will send the prophet Elijah, whose mission will be to restore family relationships. This right relationship within family symbolises the order and unity that comes with being in covenant with God. But this comes with a warning. If the people fail to listen to Elijah when he comes, God will strike the land with utter destruction.

And the book ends there. As mentioned, this is our final prophetic book of the Old Testament. It picks up the same theme that runs through most of the post-exilic books. God's blessing is dependent on the faithfulness of his people. But it adds two more images that we may not have seen before.

The first is a messenger that will prepare the way for God to return to his people. The second is that Elijah will return to restore relationships and bring things inline with God's order.

Make a point of storing these away for later. You can add them to the growing collection of prophetic images we've gained throughout the prophets. Images like a future priest king from the line of David. Or a servant who will come and be pierced and suffer to redeem God's people. Images of a new Jerusalem where God will find destroy the wickedness and chaos of the world and all nations will come to worship him.

But before we move on into the New Testament, it's probably worth having a recap of what we've read so far. This is where the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles come in, which we start looking at tomorrow.

Psalm 62

This psalm is attributed to king David. At first glance, it may look like a lament psalm, as the psalmist brings a complaint against the wicked.

But one of the primary focuses of a lament psalm is that it starts with turning to God and bringing him the complaint. In this psalm, the psalmist only turns to God at the end.

Instead, we should read this psalm as a trust or wisdom psalm. While the psalmist reflects on the wickedness of the world, they ultimately are confident that God will have his way.

A) Psalm 62:1-2 - Declaration of trust

B) Psalm 62:3-4 - Complaint against the wicked

A) Psalm 62:5-8 - Declaration of trust

B) Psalm 62:9-10 - Complaint against the wicked

A) Psalm 62:11-12 - Declaration of Trust

The psalmist starts with trust. They will wait patiently on God, because in him is salvation and security found.

They then turn to the wickedness around them. The wicked continue to attack and beat others because of their position. They lie and deceive.

And then the psalmist swings back to focusing on God. Again, they will wait patiently on God, because in him is salvation and security found.

The psalmist turns to other encourages them to trust in God as well.

Then back to the complaint. Humanity is weak. Doesn’t matter if you are important or not. The reality is, compared to all creation, hey are no more than a breath.

And there’s no point putting trust in wealth as though that matters at all.

Instead, all power and strength comes from God. God strengthens and blesses people because he is a loving and faithful God.

He will strengthen and bless people based on their obedience and good works towards him.