Explanation: In Malachi 3 the LORD says that he will send a messenger [John the Baptist -- Isaiah 40:3-5; Matthew 3:3; Matthew 3:10-11; Matthew 11:10; Matthew 22:2-3; Mark 1:1-3; Luke 1:17; Luke 1:76; Luke 3:4; Luke 7:26-27; John 1:23] to prepare the way of the Messenger of the Covenant [Christ -- Exodus 23:20-21; Daniel 9:24-27; Isaiah 63:9; John 6:38; Acts 2:36; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16] who will come suddenly [Haggai 2:7; Matthew 21:12; Matthew 24:44; Mark 13:36; Luke 12:38-46; Luke 21:35; Revelation 16:15] to the Temple (1). He will refine his people (2-4). He will sit in judgment upon sinners (5). But he tells them that the reason he does not consume them is that his faithfulness is unchanging - [Deuteronomy 7:8; Leviticus 26:42; Lamentations 3:22-23; Isaiah 63:9] - (7). Nevertheless, he tells them that they will be cursed (as in chapter 2) until they forsake their sins - [Amos 5:18] - (8-12). And they must cease their complaints against him (13-15). However, he acknowledges that some of them feared him; and these will be like jewels and sons to him - [Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-36; Ezekiel 37:26-27; Ezekiel 43:7] - (16-18).
     [Sermons: Joseph Pipa. Maurice Roberts. William Still. ].
     Today's painting is of the Lord, spoken of in today's chapter as the "Messenger of the Covenant." As in the previous chapter, denunciations continue against rich oppressors -- who are also spoken against in a striking song by Joe Ely -- see Cold Black Hammer Lyrics and Music.

          [THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Daniel 9:25. Ezra 2:64. Ezra 9:6-15. Nehemiah 1:3. Nehemiah 6:7. Nehemiah 13:5-6, 15-22, 23-30. Matthew 11:10. Matthew 17:12. Mark 1:2-3. Mark 9:11-12. Luke 1:17. Romans 9:13. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]

Malachi 3

1. Present Sin & Final Judgment: Warning Number 1 (1:1 - 3:6 ) - 433 B.C., Israel

B. Final Judgment (3:1 - 3:6)

(The Messenger of the Covenant Will Come to Refine and Purify)

     ¹ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. ² But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: ³ And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer [that they may be those who bring near] unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. ⁴ Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

     ⁵ And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

     ⁶ For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

2. Present Sin & Final Judgment: Warning Number 2 (3:7 - 4:6 ) - 433 B.C., Israel

A. Present Sin (3:7-18)

1). They Are Not Tithing (3:7-12)

     ⁷ Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? ⁸ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. ⁹ Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. ¹⁰ Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. ¹¹ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. ¹² And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

2). They Approve of Wicked Men (3:13-18)

     ¹³ Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? ¹⁴ Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? ¹⁵ And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

     ¹⁶ Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. ¹⁷ And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. ¹⁸ Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

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