Jesus in the Old Testament, Malachi

Jesus in Malachi

Well? We made it. If you have been with us from the beginning of this Study, you know we have been searching out the Scriptures of the Old Testament in light of these words by Jesus.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me," John 5:39

We started in Genesis, and have gone all the way through to today, where we wrap things up in Malachi. This is the close of the Old Testament, and a period of time, about 400 years until we see the opening of the New Testament. Malachi means "'the messenger of the Lord.'' Like some others before him, his main concern was for the Spiritual Condition of Israel. Or rather the lack of it.

We start out seeing that the People of Israel are so far gone and so far removed from God, they are not even truly aware of how far away they have become. Much like many people in America today. Sadly, even some "Christians." God tells them through Malachi that they are asking questions, that God is going to answer.

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” Malachi. 1:2

Jesus told us exactly how much God loves us.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:16-18

Question Two,

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’"

We do this all the time. "Keep your Religion to yourself." "Any god is equal." "There is no God." Etc. Not only do we have people in this country that do not want you to even say the word "God." They actually hate and despise the word.

Question Three,

"By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil?"

Sadly this one is still common with Christians. They go to Chruch, but give nothing of their time outside of Church. If they Tithe, more on that in a bit, but they do not even give the Ten Percent. They toss a couple of dollars, or maybe a Twenty into the Offering, even though they made a Thousand.

Question Four,

"What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it,"

God is Patient and Kind. His Grace abounds much more than our Sin. Peter said it this way.

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Jesus told us a Parable of a Farmer and Wheat and Tares {Matthew 13:24-52} But make no mistake about it. God will grow Weary of us and our Sin. Although He is Patient so as many as possible will repent and be saved, there is a coming time where it will be too late.

"The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 13:41-43

"You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking,"

Question Five,

“Where is the God of justice?” Malachi 2:17

Think about this. Whenever you may be tempted to think this question, think to yourself, Is the God of Justice NOT coming for you as well? Have you not Sinned and come short of the Glory of God? Are you not worthy of Death and Eternal Punishment? This says that asking God this question actually wearies God because you are worthy of His wrath also and you may not even know it.

Question Six?

"How have we robbed you?" Malachi 3:8

Here is one that is so very hard for Pastors to teach. It is hard for three reasons.

1- Failure to understand the concept.
2- Greed
3- Fear

Here is the total Passage.

"Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts." Malachi 3:8-11

1st, WE, not God, we created a monetary system. WE, not God, we say this paper is worth this or that, and WE, not God, set up a reality of which you need money to survive. Sorry to let you know this, but the Church needs money too. If you want lights on? AC? You want the Pastor to be able to Pastor? You want the Church to Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked, and set Captives free? They need MONEY. Where to they get the money from? YOU.

God says YOU give Ten Percent of your Salary. This means if your Salary is $1000,00, Your Tithe is $100.00. No more, no less. Not $20.00. Not $5.00. Not $200.00. Your Tithe is $100.00. This is what God says you need to give. Anything more than $100.00 is a gift. An Offering for whatever personal reason you may have. But that $100.00 belongs to God.

Some do not give the full Ten Percent simply because they do not want to. They want to keep it. Remember the Story of Ananias and his wife?

"But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge, he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last" Acts 5:1-5

First, yes, this is the New Testament. For those who say Tithing was Old Testament only. Second, Ananias and Sapphria did not have to lie. They could have simply not sold the land. Not gave anything. But they did lie and did try to steal from God. They both end up dead.

What about those who simply fear? They will not have enough to Tithe. They have to pay bills and they have to live. They just cannot afford the Tithe. I submit to you that you cannot NOT afford to Tithe. After all, look at what God says here.

"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need"

That 90 percent will go FAR further than that 100 percent ever will. Try it and see. We are clearly living in a time described in Malachi. Look at Romans 1 and think of America today.

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."

The only answer to this is simple. The only answer to this is easy. It is Jesus. This is why Jesus came. Without Him, we will all be destroyed in the coming "Day of the Lord." Malachi 4. Without Jesus, there would be no Old Testament. He IS The Word.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

This concludes our study of how Christ is reflected in the 39 books of the Old Testament. As we visited each book of the Old Testament weekly, we found that this statement is true and it brings reading the Old Testament into a new light. New Understanding. It is all about Jesus. Along with this Statement above, Jesus also took time following His ascension from the Grave, to do what we just did, with His Disciples.

"And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:25.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!