Scripture Reading : Malachi 3-4
Theme : The Coming Messiah
Messenger Before The Messiah (3:1-5). This passage is about the coming Messiah, but does not make any distinction of His first and second coming, but views the two comings as one unit and describes two aspects regarding His comings. The first aspect is the messenger whom God will send to prepare the way of the Messiah, just as forerunners are sent before a king to prepare his path. This is fulfilled during Jesus’ first coming when John the Baptist was sent by God (Matt.3:3; Is. 40:3). The second aspect is in vv. 2-4 which is about His terrifying second coming when He will come to judge with righteousness (Rev. 6-19). In light of such terrifying judgment against sin, the Jews of Malachi’s time, and people everywhere, need to repent of their sins and commit themselves to God for salvation.
Unchangeable Faithfulness of the Messiah (3:6-18). The reason God will not completely wipe out the Jews for their gross and stubborn sins is because of God’s unchangeable faithfulness to fulfill His promises to the nation. The Jews sin greatly by robbing God of His tithe, wearying God with their sinful attitude by thinking there is no profit for being faithful to God. Those who rebel against God will be destroyed but those who are faithful to God will be remembered by Him in a book forever (Rev. 20:12). They will graciously receive mercy from God and enter His kingdom/heaven.
Future and Complete Victory of Messiah (4:1-6) When the Messiah returns again, there will be final victory of righteousness over idolatry and sin. Those who do not worship God and do evil will be condemned by Him, but those who worship God and serve Him will shine like the sun. This glorious future will be preceded by the coming of Elijah, which will be fulfilled during His second coming, most likely as described in Revelation 11:3.
Praying the Scripture
- The Jews of Malachi’s time serve God heartlessly without love for God. If you serve God without pure love and thankfulness to Him, He is not pleased by such evil, empty service. Pray that God will revive your heart by convicting you of your ugly sins and drive you to the glory of the cross. Apart from Jesus, you deserve to be punished for your ugly and shameful sins in hell. Be thankful for your salvation and be thankful for your future glory in a restored world when Christ comes back.
- Praise God He is not fickle like us. He is unchangeably faithful. His glorious character never changes. It is on this solid ground that we can stand firm. We can never stand firm if we rely on our own strength. God is an unbendable steel rod, we are flimsy wires that can only find stability and strength when we wrap ourselves around the steel rod of God. We wrap ourselves around God when we trust in His unchangeable truth, love and faithfulness.
- God does not need your money, but your offering is a form of worship. For Jesus says where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt. 6:21). Money means time and effort, when you offer money to God, you are offering your time and effort. This is worship. Such worship should be done with a pure and willing heart to honour God, never try to get rich through giving of offering like prosperity gospel, which is a false gospel. God hates this idolatry. If you think giving offering is burdensome, you dishonour God and despise His love and glory. Repent and ask for forgiveness. May God give us a joyful and thankful heart when we give our offering.
经文：玛拉基书3-4
主题：将要来临的弥赛亚
在弥赛亚之前的使者（3:1-5）。这段经文叙述的是未来将到的弥赛亚，但没分辨是首次或第二次的到来，乃二合为一，描写祂降世的两个层面。第一个是神将差派使者在弥赛亚前预备祂的道路，如君王差派前导一样，在他面前先预备好要行的路。这在耶稣的首次来临时应验了，即神差派的施洗约翰（太3:3；赛40:3）。第二层面是2-4节，也就是神二次降临时将以公义审判世界的可怕画面（启6-19）。神必然对罪施行可怕的审判，所以玛拉基时代的犹太人及全世界既然知道，就必须从罪中悔改，投靠神的拯救。
弥赛亚由始至终的信实（3:6-18）。神之所以不会为犹太人的倔强与丑陋之罪完全除灭他们，是因着祂永不改变的信实，必要履行祂对以色列的承诺。犹太人犯下的罪甚大，不但夺取神的供物，还心怀恶念，以为对神忠心是无益的。凡悖逆神的必灭亡，但神必在祂的纪念册上记录思念祂名的人（启20:12）。他们会尝到神的恩，蒙神怜悯，进入祂的国或天堂。
弥赛亚未来全然的胜利（4:1-6）。当弥赛亚再度归来时，祂将一劳永逸地战胜外邦偶像和罪孽。凡行恶，不敬拜神的必被咒诅，但敬拜侍奉神的要像太阳一样发亮。以利亚将在这个荣耀未来之前显现；这将在弥赛亚二次来临时应验，如启示录11:3所形容的。
用经文祷告
- 玛拉基时代的犹太人是无心侍奉神的。你若不以纯洁的爱心和感谢侍奉神，神不会悦纳这种邪恶虚空的服侍。祈求神能复兴你的心，定你丑陋的罪，催逼你到十字架前的荣耀。若没有耶稣，你当为你丑陋和羞耻之罪在地狱受惩罚。要为你的救赎感恩，感谢基督归回时在全新的世界里能得享荣耀。
- 赞美神，因为祂不像我们一样善变。祂的信实始终如一。祂的荣耀永不更改。我们因有如此稳当的根基才能站立得住。我们若依靠的是自己的力量，我们绝对站不稳。神如坚硬的钢条，我们弯曲的电线——唯有环绕神的钢条后，我们才能坚固稳定。当我们信靠神不变的真理、慈爱与信实的时候，我们便是环绕神了。
- 神不需要你的金钱，但你的奉献就是敬拜，因为耶稣说：“你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在哪里”（太6:21）。金钱就是时间和努力；当你献上钱财时，你献上的是自己的时间和付出。这就是敬拜。我们当以纯洁乐意的心献上这样的敬拜荣耀神，而不是像致富福音所传的，为发财而奉献。这是假福音。神憎恨这种偶像敬拜。你若认为奉献是种负担，你是在羞辱神，蔑视祂的爱和荣耀。你要悔改，向神请求饶恕。愿神在我们奉献的时候赐予我们喜悦感恩的心。
