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<v Mike Sirignano>Please open your Bibles to the book of Malachi and if you're using the Pew Bible, it can be found on page 849.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So the book of Malachi is the last recorded prophecy of the twelve minor prophets and it is the official closing of the Old Testament canon.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Malachi is titled after the author, although some have suggested that the book was written anonymously.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The name Malachi means my messenger or the Lord's messenger, so this could be a title rather than a proper name.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Some say that it is a pseudonym designed to protect the writer's identity.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But because of the similarities in their messages, jewish tradition suggests that the book was written by the prophet Ezra, but since all the other prophetic books, including Ezra, have historically identified their author in the introduction, this leads us to believe that Malachi was the name of the last Old Testament prophet.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And we know nothing about Malachi and aside from the opening verse, he is not mentioned in the book.

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<v Mike Sirignano>However, the words of Malachi are alluded to or quoted at least 15 times in the New Testament.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Malachi was a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah and they had a shared focus on marriages to foreign wives, withholding of tithes and social justice, and evidence shows that the book was written in the late 5th century BC, probably 433 to 424.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But before we get into the book, let's once again go to the Lord in prayer.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Oh Heavenly Father, we thank you for the inspired word of the Old Testament which you have spoken to us through the prophets.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The story you tell, from creation to this final prophecy, has prepared us for what was to come, and that is the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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<v Mike Sirignano>We thank you, father, that this book is just as relevant for us today as it was to the people of Israel.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Please help us to apply it to our lives.

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<v Mike Sirignano>In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The main theme of Malachi centers on the corruption of the priests and the people of Israel.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Of Malachi centers on the corruption of the priests and the people of Israel.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The book was written to correct the complacent religious and social behavior of Israel, especially the priests in post-exile Jerusalem.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But it was not long after they had been restored to the land that the people's commitment to God began to wane.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The ritual of the sacrificial system had been restored, but the religious routine led to hardened hearts and a widespread sin, both by the people and priests alike.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So Malachi writes the final prophecy of the Old Testament by rebuking the people and condemning their sins, all while calling them to repentance.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But at the same time he reminded them that one day in the future God's covenant promises would be fulfilled.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So as we begin, we see God having a series of dialogues with the Israelite people.

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<v Mike Sirignano>In each dialogue, god makes a statement of rebuke.

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<v Mike Sirignano>In each dialogue, god makes a statement of rebuke, it is followed by a question of response, after which God gives an answer to them.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So in today's talk we will cover six dialogues, all of which are an indictment of Israel's selfish sin.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Starting in chapter 1 and verse 2, we see a reminder of god's love for his people.

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<v Mike Sirignano>I have loved you, says the lord.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now that's a pretty clear statement, but the people's response was incredulous.

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<v Mike Sirignano>They expressed doubt about god's love and challenged it by asking how have you loved us?

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<v Mike Sirignano>So God gives them a lesson in the doctrine of election.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Wasn't Esau Jacob's brother?

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<v Mike Sirignano>This is the Lord's declaration.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Even so, I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.

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<v Mike Sirignano>I turned his mountains into a wasteland and gave his inheritance to the desert jackals.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now, in this statement, god affirms his love for Israel, recalling his covenant choice of Jacob over Esau and over the Edomite people.

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<v Mike Sirignano>God's electing love for Israel is boldly and explicitly declared by the Lord himself.

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<v Mike Sirignano>God elected Jacob and his descendants to become heirs of his promise, unconditionally and apart from any human merit.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now, while it may be true that God showed his love for Israel in many ways, the primary gift to his people is his election of them as a nation.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And in the same way, god shows his love for us even when we are disobedient, because he chose us before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Israel took that for granted.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Let us, as believers, not make that same mistake.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The second dialogue is aimed at the priests, israel's spiritual leaders.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Just because God affirmed his love for Israel, it did not absolve them of their sin.

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<v Mike Sirignano>God accuses them of contempt for his altar.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Let's look at chapter 1 and verses 6 to 8.

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<v Mike Sirignano>It says A son honors his father and a servant his master.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But if I am a father, where is my honor?

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<v Mike Sirignano>And if I am a master, where is your fear of me, says the Lord of armies to you priests who despise my name.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And the people ask how have we despised your name?

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<v Mike Sirignano>And God answers by presenting defiled food on my altar.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So the people ask how have we defiled you?

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<v Mike Sirignano>And God breaks it down to them?

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<v Mike Sirignano>When you say the Lord's table is contemptible?

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<v Mike Sirignano>When you say the Lord's table is contemptible when you present blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong?

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<v Mike Sirignano>And when you present lame or sick animal, is that not wrong?

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<v Mike Sirignano>Bring it to your governor.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Would he be pleased with you or show you favor, asks the Lord of armies.

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<v Mike Sirignano>God addresses the priest because, while they should be leaders in devotion to him, they were foremost in despising his name.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Their hearts showed a wicked attitude towards God.

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<v Mike Sirignano>In this case, they offered unclean or blemished sacrifices, which were strictly forbidden by the Lord.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now, this was not a mistake on the part of the people.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The Lord dictated that they bring the best of their flocks and herds, but they knowingly held back and substituted lesser animals.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now the priests could have rejected the blemished offerings, but instead they took part in the sham.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The priests had become weary with the mundane ritual of the sacrificial system.

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<v Mike Sirignano>They refused to lead the people in reverence to the Lord.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Their attitudes and actions were profaning the altar and insulting to the Lord, so he rejected it.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now we see in the Bible that God had already had a history of punishing those whose offerings were insulting to him.

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<v Mike Sirignano>If we look back to Genesis.

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<v Mike Sirignano>In chapter 4, it speaks of Cain's offering that was rejected by God.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Cain became so angry that he killed his brother Abel and, as punishment, god put a curse on him and he became a restless wanderer on earth.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now, even though scripture was written thousands of years ago, it is still relevant for us today and, as part of our biblical stewardship, we are to offer our time, talent and treasures to the Lord, and here is a question for all of us to consider Is what we offer acceptable and pleasing to him, or will he reject it because it is not our best, or will he reject it because it is not our best?

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<v Mike Sirignano>Moving on to chapter 2, verses 10 through 16, we see the third dialogue, and it is addressed not only to the priests, but to all the people of Israel.

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<v Mike Sirignano>God had made a covenant of separation to keep the Jewish race pure, yet the men were violating the requirements of God's law by divorcing their Jewish wives and then marrying foreign wives who worshipped false gods.

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<v Mike Sirignano>In verse 10, malachi questions their commitment to that covenant.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Don't all of us have one father?

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<v Mike Sirignano>Didn't one God create us?

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<v Mike Sirignano>Why, then, do we act treacherously against one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now, to act treacherously is to deceive or betray someone who trusts them.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The men of Israel had committed a detestable act by marrying women who worship a foreign god, causing the Lord to judge them.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Verse 12 reads May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob the man who does this, whoever he may be, even if he presents an offering to the Lord of armies.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now, a few hundred years earlier, solomon compromised his kingdom by taking 700 wives, and the majority of them were foreign.

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<v Mike Sirignano>His violation of this law had opened the door for this idolatrous act.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The Jews who divorced and married foreign wives contaminated Israelite worship and profaned God's temple.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Their adulterous actions disqualified them from the rights and privileges of the community, and their offerings would be rejected.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Everyone who committed this sin would not only be removed from the community but would be put to death.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Verse 16 sums it up If he hates and divorces his wife, says the Lord, god of Israel, he covers his garment with injustice, says the Lord of armies.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Therefore, watch yourselves carefully and do not act treacherously.

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<v Mike Sirignano>May we all take heed of this warning.

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<v Mike Sirignano>At the end of chapter 2 and into chapter 3, we see the fourth dialogue and it has to do with complaining about perceived injustice.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Malachi speaks to the people, starting in chapter 2 and verse 17.

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<v Mike Sirignano>You have wearied the Lord with your words.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And again the people respond with an obvious question how have we wearied them?

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<v Mike Sirignano>And Malachi answers and in chapter 3 and verse 1, the and he will clear the way before me.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the messenger of the covenant you delight in See he is coming, says the Lord of armies.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now God uses the word messenger twice in this verse.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The first is a reference to John the Baptist, but the messenger of the covenant is spelled with an uppercase M and it is a reference to the Lord, jesus Christ, who has the authority to reward or judge his people based on their faithfulness to his covenant with him.

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<v Mike Sirignano>At this point in time, the people had become hardened and lacking in spiritual discernment.

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<v Mike Sirignano>They were living in indifference to God.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Disillusionment had set in after the rebuilding of the temple because the presence of God had not come.

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<v Mike Sirignano>They were gripped by complacency and self-righteousness, and they had the audacity to question God, implying that he favored the wicked and was unconcerned about the righteous.

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<v Mike Sirignano>That he favored the wicked and was unconcerned about the righteous.

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<v Mike Sirignano>God's answer was that he would be sending his messenger who would be there to announce the coming of the promised Messiah.

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<v Mike Sirignano>This unexpected coming was fulfilled partially by Christ at his first advent and then will be accomplished in full at his second coming.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The Lord would not come to Zerubbabel's temple, as the people sought, and not to Herod's temple at the partial fulfillment, but instead Christ will finally inhabit the millennial temple described in Ezekiel 40-48.

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<v Mike Sirignano>It is at that time he will come to fully answer the people's question.

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<v Mike Sirignano>God will judge the wicked, but he will pur to fully answer the people's question.

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<v Mike Sirignano>God will judge the wicked, but he will purify the righteous for preparation into his kingdom.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Chapter 3 and verse 5 reads I will come to you in judgment and I will be ready to witness against sorcerers and adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker, the widow and the fatherless, and against those who deny justice to the resident alien.

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<v Mike Sirignano>They do not fear me, says the Lord of armies.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now I know there are many times in this world where we experience the same feelings that the wicked get away with murder.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Just watching the news can be really frustrating, and in a worldly sense they do often go unpunished, so in our flesh that angers us, sometimes righteously, but more often than not sinfully.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But God already has his plans in place, both for the wicked and for his people.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Deuteronomy 32 and verse 43 states rejoice you, nations, concerning his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants, he will take vengeance on his adversaries, he will purify his land and his people.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So, as believers, we have no need to question him.

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<v Mike Sirignano>He has it all worked out.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now we come to the fifth dialogue, and it's significant in that God calls Israel to repentance, while issuing a challenge to the people to test him if they dare.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And I'm going to spend some time here, because there are important lessons for us.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Let's pick it up in chapter 3, verses 6 and 7.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Because I, the Lord, have not changed.

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<v Mike Sirignano>You descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed Since the days of your ancestors.

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<v Mike Sirignano>You have turned from my statues.

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<v Mike Sirignano>You have not kept them.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord of armies.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So here is God calling them out on their sin.

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<v Mike Sirignano>He is telling them that, rather than being unjust or unfair, he's actually quite patient with them, because at this point, israel's existence was due only to the Lord's unchanging character and his commitment to his covenant promise with Abraham.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Foolishly, the people think it was God who abandoned them, rather than the fact that it was they who had abandoned him.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Hence their foolish response how can we return?

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<v Mike Sirignano>God answers their question with a question of his own Will a man rob God?

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<v Mike Sirignano>Yet you are robbing me and the people ask how do we rob you?

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<v Mike Sirignano>It's clear, and the people ask how do we rob you?

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<v Mike Sirignano>It's clear that the people still don't get it.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And God reminds them of how they rob him in verses 8 and 9, by exposing their glaring and widespread sin, by not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions.

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<v Mike Sirignano>You are suffering under a curse.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Yet you, the whole nation, are still robbing me.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now the Lord points out that they had not brought the required tithes and offerings, those used to sustain the Levites and fund the theocratic government.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now, the tithe was essentially a tax and by not paying their taxes, they had robbed God, but also robbed themselves, because God had withheld his blessing.

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<v Mike Sirignano>They had stolen what was rightfully his by divine law.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So, in an unusual twist not generally found in the Bible, he issues a challenge and a call to repentance in the form of a test.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Let's look at verse 10.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Bring the full tent into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Test me in this way, says the Lord of armies.

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<v Mike Sirignano>See, if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure, I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vines in your field will not drop their fruit before it is ripe, says the Lord of armies.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land, says the Lord of armies.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now here's God actually making a deal with his disobedient people.

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<v Mike Sirignano>If they would honor him by reversing their robbery and, in a show of repentance, bring what he required, he would shower them with excessive abundance in many ways.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now a few thoughts here.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Personally, I never want to put God to the test, so while God does make that offer to them, it's really something we don't want to do on our own.

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<v Mike Sirignano>In fact, in Matthew, chapter 4 and verse 7, jesus warns Satan do not put the Lord, your God, to the test.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And that's a warning for us too.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Another thing I don't want to do is try to make a deal with God.

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<v Mike Sirignano>He is not in the deal business.

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<v Mike Sirignano>How many times do we go to him and say God, if you only do this for me or get me out of this jam, I'll be the best Christian you ever had.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Be careful what you ask for.

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<v Mike Sirignano>It is not wise to think that anything we have to offer would sway his grace in our direction.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Next, let's talk about the tithe.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The tithe was a tax for the people of Israel.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Even today, our government requires us to pay various taxes in many forms.

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<v Mike Sirignano>In Matthew 22 and verse 21,.

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<v Mike Sirignano>God also commands us to pay our taxes.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Jesus tells the people.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And finally, this passage is famous for being misused by false teachers to extract money from their congregations.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Anyone that tells you that you are required to give a certain percentage of your income is taking Scripture out of context, and I am being kind here.

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<v Mike Sirignano>In 2 Corinthians 9, verse 7, the Apostle Paul states the simple guidelines for biblical giving.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Each person should do as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now, as we get to the sixth and final dialogue, let's review the sins of the people.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The priests and the people had questioned God, violated his covenant, disobeyed his laws, defiled his altar and despised his name.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But now they had openly spoken against him, in spite of what God promised if they repented.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The people still complained that obedience to God brought no gain and that only the arrogant and evil prospered.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Chapter 3 in verses 13 to 15.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Your words against me are harsh, says the Lord.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But just like their other sins, the people were in denial.

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<v Mike Sirignano>What have we spoken against you?

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<v Mike Sirignano>So Malachi gives them one final rebuke.

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<v Mike Sirignano>You have said it is useless to serve God.

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<v Mike Sirignano>What have we gained by keeping his requirements Now?

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<v Mike Sirignano>Earlier God had invited the people to test him to see how far they would go with his blessing.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But instead the people would test God to see how far they could go in doing evil.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Sadly, it would not go well for them in the end.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But not all the people were marked for judgment.

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<v Mike Sirignano>At the end of chapter 3 and into chapter 4, god speaks hope to the faithful remnant.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Verse 16 says At that time those who feared the Lord spoke to one another.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The Lord took notice and listened, so a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the Lord and high regard for his name.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The true and righteous worshipers who loved and served God feared that they too would be swept away in God's judgment.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But Malachi encouraged them by saying that God had not forgotten them.

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<v Mike Sirignano>In verse 17, god reminds them that there will be a distinction between the righteous and the wicked.

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<v Mike Sirignano>They will be mine, says the Lord of armies, my own possession.

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<v Mike Sirignano>On the day I am preparing, I will have compassion on them, as a man has compassion on his son who serves him.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And finally, in chapter 4 and verses 1 to 3, god goes on to describe his judgment in detail, as well as the hope for his faithful followers.

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<v Mike Sirignano>For the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and everyone who commits wickedness will become stubble.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The coming day will consume them, says the Lord of armies, not leaving them root or branches.

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<v Mike Sirignano>But for you who fear my name, the son of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall.

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<v Mike Sirignano>You will trample the wicked, for they will be like ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing, says the Lord of armies.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Now, here, malachi is referring to the day of the Lord, the second coming of Christ, as he looks ahead to the final judgment of the wicked and the evil.

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<v Mike Sirignano>This judgment was not only for the people in Malachi's day, but it is for all generations, past, present and future.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Malachi describes this judgment as a destructive fire that swiftly and totally consumes with excessive heat.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The fire is so hot that even the roots of trees normally protected underground will not survive.

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<v Mike Sirignano>All those who refuse to repent will be cast into the fire of hell, but while the wicked will be devoured by the heat of his wrath, those who fear him will spend eternity living a joyful, vigorous and carefree life.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Malachi desires, as all believers should, that there be far-reaching repentance by the wicked in order to avoid destruction.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And, true to God's word, this will come to pass.

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<v Mike Sirignano>There will be a remnant of Israel saved and the chosen saints along with them.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So, as we come to a close, here is how it will go in the last days the earth will be restored to as it was in the Garden of Eden, the curse placed on mankind will be reversed, the heavenly kingdom will be established with the Messiah reigning, and the remnant of righteous Jews and Gentiles will enter into it.

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<v Mike Sirignano>And as the prophecy of Malachi ends, god would go silent for over 400 years.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The next time that people would hear from him would be through the promised messenger, named John, specifically sent to announce the arrival of the Messiah, who would come to earth to redeem the world.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So if you are here today and you don't know the Lord, we invite you to consider the good news that God sent his only begotten son, jesus Christ, to die on a cross so that the sins of all those who believe would be forgiven.

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<v Mike Sirignano>He was buried and on the third day he was raised from the grave to conquer death, so that one day we, as believers, would also conquer death and have eternal life with him.

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<v Mike Sirignano>The Bible says that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

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<v Mike Sirignano>So I invite you in this moment to look up and ask Jesus Christ to become your Lord and Savior.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Commit yourself to him in faith and love and watch him transform your heart.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Heavenly Father, we thank you that, despite our disobedience, you still had mercy on us.

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<v Mike Sirignano>Heavenly Father, we thank you that, despite our disobedience, you still had mercy on us.

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<v Mike Sirignano>It is only because of your desire to redeem mankind from their sin that we are even sitting here today and, as we heard this morning, we look forward to the day of the Lord, knowing that you will wipe away every tear from our eyes and that there will be no more death or mourning, or crying or pain, and we thank you for this in the name of your precious Son, our Savior Jesus Christ Amen.