Unit: Minor Prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi)
Theme: Give Careful Thought
Lesson Text: Malachi 1:6-14; 3:8-18
Supplemental Texts: Leviticus 22:17-22; Deuteronomy 15:10-11; 28:10-12; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 11:41
Aim: Give careful thought to your offerings; see God throw open the floodgates of heaven.
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By Mark Scott
Thoughtful givers put their money where their mouths are. An old hymn says, “Give of your best to the Master; Give him first place in your heart; Give him first place in your service; Consecrate every part.” That song would have been tough to sing in post-exilic Israel, for selfishness and pride had turned thoughtful offerings upside down.
Malachi used a rhetorical device called interrogation to get his point across to the returned exiles. He used it throughout his book, and he used it in the lesson text in verses 1:6-7; 3:8, 13. Malachi posed a question, and then proceeded to answer it—all of which produce a verdict of “Guilty!”
Cheating God
Malachi 1:6-14
One would think that when the exiles returned home they would have a skip in their step and a song in their heart (Psalm 126). One would expect them to be obedient to God. But, not so. Drawing on the father/son and master/servant examples, Malachi argued from the lesser to the greater. If sons honor (glorify) their fathers and slaves honor their masters, shouldn’t Israel honor God? Their respect (fear or reverence) was lacking—particularly among the leadership (that is, the priests).
The priests were showing contempt (despise or disdain) for God by offering compromised animals on the Lord’s table (probably a reference to the altar of burnt offering). Leviticus 22:17-22 made it abundantly clear that animals sacrificed to God were to be pure and without blemish. Post-exilic Israel was offering blind, lame, injured, and diseased animals. Even Governor Nehemiah, who was generous with his table (Nehemiah 5:17-18), would not accept those animals.
God basically said, “I have had it with your defiled offerings” (cf. Isaiah 1:11-15). In other words, “You might as well shut the temple doors so that no unholy fires will be offered again.” What could be worse than hearing, “I am not pleased with you”? They had been cheating God. But God will get the last word. His name will be exalted among all the nations. His name (which stands for his character) will be great and feared among the nations despite Israel’s crummy worship habits.
Robbing God
Malachi 3:8-12
Imagine robbing God at gunpoint. How could that happen? That is essentially what the people asked. The answer? “In tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3:10 has long been looked to as a key verse with regard to the stewardship of finances. It is the one biblical instance when God invites his people to test him in this. Believers normally should not test God (Matthew 4:7). But it is welcomed when it comes to leaning into God for our provisions.
Thoughtful offerings allow God to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out the blessings on his people. And beyond that, pests (the one that devours) will not eat their crops and vines will not drop their fruit before it ripens. Faithfulness is hooked to creation, especially in the old covenant. Modern-day application has to be handled carefully. It is never tit for tat (i.e., give to God so he will give to you). But God finds his own ways to bless those with thoughtful offerings.
Lying About God
Malachi 3:13-15
God’s people spoke arrogantly (blasphemed) against God. When confronted by this reality, they responded, “Wait, what?” So, God had to quote them. “It is futile [vain or worthless] to serve God.” Others said that nothing was to be gained by carrying out God’s requirements by fasting and praying. The arrogant seemed blessed, and the evildoers prospered. They put God to the test—but in all the wrong ways, in contrast to the above. Thoughtful offerings never portray a wrongheaded view of God.
Fearing God
Malachi 3:16-18
Malachi 3 ended on a better note. The people who feared God convened a holy huddle. They knew they were being appropriately chastised, and that humility caused God to hear their prayers. Some kind of document (scroll of remembrance) was produced with names(?) of those who feared God and honored his name.
The faithful remnant would become God’s treasured possession (special or peculiar property). God would act toward the remnant like a loving father would act toward his children. At that point the line would be clear between the faithful and the wicked. Thoughtful offerings begin with thoughts of God.
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