Are You Jumping For Joy Today?

O. T. #2337 "Are You Jumping For Joy Today?"

Dec. 12, 2022 

Introduction to Malachi

What does it take to drop us to our knees, to bring us to tearful repentance of our sins, to break our strong will, to surrender wholeheartedly to God's will? Only God knows what it will take Would it be the death of a loved one, loss of a job, a hate-filled chewing out, or just a lack of joy in our life? When it is all said and done, what really matters when the tinsel and lights are gone? When the dishes are done, everyone is gone home, wrapping paper is in the trash, gifts are on the shelf, what do we have left of Christmas that will sustain us for the rest of next year? Is it the love and peace of God in our hearts? Is it a faith growing stronger? Is it a relationship like no other? Is it Christ forevermore? Things to think about.

Now, we don't know anything about Malachi's background. He was the last of the Old Testament prophets, before the 400 years of silence before the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came to earth. His name means My messenger. God has a message to give to His people and did it in a unique way through Malachi, so the prophet wrote it down and proclaimed it to the people.

During the time of Malachi, there was once again only one kingdom-Israel. The Jews no longer had the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Southern Kingdom of Judah but were united now. You will recall that Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon and Assyria, who had taken the Jews captive. He permitted the Jews to return home to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple and city. Once again, they were in the Promised Land. 

But time has passed, and Israel was in the spiritual cycle once again-repentance, living for God, then back into sin. Malachi faced moral degradation, adultery, divorce, intermarriage, falsehood, fraud, lack of tithing, hypocrisy, false god worship, and sorcery running rampant in his nation. Traditionalism began to be more important than the Scriptures. God was not esteemed as the Great King anymore. 

God doesn't beat around the bush and is blunt about the sins of Israel, reassuring of His love, divine justice, and a day of judgment coming. When God neamed the sins of the priests and people of Israel, they returned it with a question:

1. How have You loved us? (Malachi 1:1-5)
2. How have we despised Your name?  (1:6-2:9)
3. Why are we unfaithful to one another?  (2:10-16)
4. Where is the God of justice?  (2:17-3:5)
5. How can we return?  (3:6-12)
6. What have we spoken against You? (3:13-4:6)  [from Life Way's January Bible Study on Malachi]

Tony Evans gives an outline in his commentary (Tony Evans Bible Commentary) dealing with what God takes seriously:

His love, worship, covenants, marriage, His justice, giving, rreverence for God, and His sovereignty.

All hope is not lost for Israel. God can heal and mend hearts and relationships. As a seamstress can mend a torn article of clothing, sho can our God make things right once again. Forgiveness is available and grace abounds. His mercies are new every morning. 

but you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall. (4:2)

I love looking out my kitchen window and watching the little calves running and jumping around, chasing each other. How carefree they are. Their needs are met, and they are enjoying life. Friend, are you enjoying life, the abundant life which Jesus said He came to give us? Let's not get bogged down with the things that we put on our need-to-get done list. They can zap our joy in celebrating the coming of the Savior to earth. 

Love, joy, and peace of Jesus be with you today.