Introduction:
The Prophet Malachi is addressing a disobedient people, but a disobedient people who are very active in religion.
And this may be the most spiritually dangerous condition for a person or for a people. It’s when they are blind to their offenses because they are so busy in religious activity.
Seven times God puts the attitude of post-exilic Israel into their mouths. He gives expression, through Malachi’s prophecy, to what is in their hearts through a series of questions. He voices how the people thought, and how they spoke (3:13).
In each case, He also gives voice to their ignorance.
With each question that exposes their guilt, they question their guilt.
And, in each case they think that God must give an account for the charges that He brings. God owes an explanation — not them.
In their blindness they refuse to accept God’s evaluation of them at face value. They require explanations. They require proof. And they require this because the charges seem so out of place — from their point of view.
The question and answer format not only demonstrates what God knows, but also demonstrates that the people are blind to what God knows.
As you read the prophecy, along with Ezra, and Nehemiah, it becomes clear that conditions since the return to Jerusalem have been a disappointment to the people.
Conditions have been difficult (2:1-2; 3:9-11).
And despite all these difficulties, they believe they have still carried on with the things that have been required of them.
-They are still putting offerings on the altar (1:7).
-The priests are still functioning in their office, both in their duties related to sacrifice and in their duties related to instruction (2:7).
-They are still speaking in the terms of justice (2:17).
-They are still engaged in a form of giving (3:10).
-They have claimed to keep God’s commands and to walk in humility (3:14).
This is how THEY see it.
It is very much like the church at Laodicea in Revelation chapter 3.
ESV Revelation 3:17 aFor you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, bblind, and naked.
And now God has come, by the hand of the prophet Malachi, and He’s confronting them. He’s reproving them.
And as God is revealing their true condition, they are resisting Him.
And the first sinful perspective that God addresses might surprise us.
He begins with their blindness to His love.
He begins with the people’s utter disregard for His love.
He begins with their denial of His love.
He begins with their ungratefulness for His love.
GOD IS SPEAKING (vs.1)
The first thing we should recognize is the seriousness of the message that Malachi delivers. It’s referred to as an oracle. The Hebrew word is (מַשָּׂא). It could be translated burden. It’s often associated with messages of judgment. It reflects the heaviness of the message that is impressed upon the messenger. But what it really amounts to is a prophet’s awareness that the message he delivers has been communicated TO HIM. He carries it.
This is not a message that has its origin in him. This message has come from God. He is responsible to give it to the people.
That is, the word oracle practically amounts to revelation. The burden is the word of Yahweh.