God’s Opinion of Things: An Overview of Malachi
Introduction
Lack of self-awareness is not a good trait. Imagine a guy called Johnny who has a problem with compulsive gambling. His friends and family pay for some professional to come and talk to the Johnny about his gambling. Johnny spends an hour talking to the professional about how bad gambling is. When the guy leaves, Johnny tells his family, “You know what, I think that guy needs help. I think he has a gambling problem. He couldn’t stop talking about it. You know who we could call?”
Summary of Malachi
Who wrote Malachi? The book gets its name from the prophet Malachi. Malachi means “my messenger.” The name isn’t used anywhere else in scripture. Some suspect he could have also been a priest due to his attention on the tribe of Levi.
When did Malachi write this? He probably wrote this during the ministry of Nehemiah between 450 BC and 430 BC.
To whom did Malachi write this? He wrote this to Judeans who within a generation or two have returned back to Jerusalem. It seems the temple has already been built but the people are hypocritically worshipping God.
Why did Malachi write this? He wrote this to remind the people they are still in covenant with God. It seems the people were going through the motions of worship but they didn’t believe God loved them (Mal 1:2-5), nor did they believe their worship was worth it (Mal 1:6-2:9).
What is the book of Malachi? The book is a series of 6 disputations. The people have been believing false things about God. Malachi brings up the people’s opinion of things, then responds with God’s opinion of things.
The first dispute concerns God’s love (Mal 1:2-5). The people believe God doesn’t love them because they aren’t as powerful of a people as they once were. God responds by reminding them of loving Jacob and hating Esau. When God proves His love, He usually explains His sovereign election (Eph 1:4). But then people respond with “that’s not loving.” The problem isn’t the doctrine of God’s love or the doctrine of predestination. The problem is people believe their opinion trumps God’s opinion.
The second dispute concerns the worship of God (Mal 1:6-2:9). God sees the priests presenting the worst animals for their sacrifices instead of the best. But the priests think they are following the letter of the law. The problem is people believe their opinion trumps God’s opinion.
The third dispute concerns the lack of unity among the nation and family (Mal 2:10-16). The people complain that there’s no unity as a nation. But God responds by saying that lack of unity as a nation is the result of lack of unity as families. Broken families make broken people. Broken people make a broken nation.
The fourth dispute concerns the justice of God (Mal 2:17-3:5). God is tired of the people asking where His justice is when they are guilty of the very injustice they believe God condones. God responds with the promise of sending His messenger who will prepare the way for Jesus the King. The people believe God doesn’t want to get His hands dirty. If they only knew His hands would be pierced for justice.
The fifth dispute deals with repentance and money (Mal 3:6-12). God commands the people repent. They ask, “how can we repent?” God says, “start with tithing.” The people believed God wouldn’t bless them so the stopped tithing. God says it’s actually the opposite. The reason they aren’t blessed is because they have all their money. In God’s economy a blessed 90% beats an unblessed 100% every day.
The final dispute concerns the people’s words against God (Mal 3:13-4:3). God heard the people’s grumbling and complaining. “It’s worthless to worship God” they say. Nevertheless, God also sees those who still desire to be with Him.
Why Study this Book?
Because the American Evangelical church is the nation of Judah in this book. We are a people who do not believe in the love of God. Many American Christians use God’s love as an excuse for sin. Others think God’s love is as exciting as DMV. But most would get in a theological debate with God on how a loving God would never hate Esau.
The American church is filled with spineless pastors who serve the opinions women in their congregation instead of the opinion of God. The church—God’s kingdom of priests—largely comes to worship on Sunday for themselves instead of God.
The American church grumbles about the laziness of our country and the lack of unity in politics while excusing no-fault divorce. We want covenant blessings as a nation while drinking covenant curses on our families. The math doesn’t add up.
The American church believes God’s word has nothing to say about social issues like if people are born gay or transgender. So, you see many Christians making things up as they go because they think God is taking a nap.
The American church believes repentance was just a one-time action. For decades and decades, American pulpits have been giving altar calls every Sunday to people who are already baptized. It’s like a person living every day talking about the day they were born and never living in the present. Yes God, converts sinners through repentance and faith they day they get saves. But God also commands they continue living that way after they get their paycheck on Friday.
The American church has made a mockery of Christian worship, Christian families, Christian education, and Christian community. How so? Because God has opinions on worship, families, education, and community. How often do we search His word for what He’s said?
Conclusion
God’s mercies are new every morning. They are also new every turn of the page. That’s because God revealing His word to us is a merciful act. There was no one in heaven twisting God’s arm making Him reveal His law and gospel. He did it all because He wants to and because He loves to. So, if we don’t like what He has to say, the problem isn’t with God. It’s with us.