The Silence of God

Malachi 3 KJV 1900

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 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. 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. 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.

A. The coming of the two messengers.

1. (1) The two messengers are introduced.

a. Behold, I send My messenger: This prophesied messenger is none other than John the Baptist. Matthew 11:10, Mark 1:2, and Luke 7:27 all show this promise was fulfilled in John the Baptist.

i. At the end of Malachi 2, Israel complained that God seemed to reward the wicked and did not exercise His justice in the world. God responds to their complaint by saying, “I will set things right with My Messiah, and before Him will come My messenger.”

b. And he will prepare the way before Me: In an ancient royal procession, the messenger went before the king to announce his arrival, to indicate the route, and to remove any obstacles in the road. John the Baptist fulfilled this exact ministry for Jesus. The same idea is indicated in Isaiah 40:3-5.

i. God’s purpose for bringing this specific prophecy through Malachi in his day was probably because Israel complained that the Messianic promises of Haggai and Zechariah were not fulfilled. Here Malachi showed that the way for the Messiah must be prepared, and they were not ready yet.

ii. Before Me: The LORD promised that He Himself would come – not merely a new or better prophet, but the LORD Himself.

c. Even the Messenger of the covenant: This second messenger is the LORD Himself – Jesus coming to His temple as the fulfillment of the old covenant and to institute a new covenant.

2. (2-5) This second Messenger will also come with purifying judgment; it will be a fearful coming.

a. Who can endure the day of His coming? Malachi 3:1 spoke of two messengers to come – one to prepare the way of the LORD, and one to be the Messenger of the covenant. The coming that man must endure is the coming of the Messenger of the covenant, but it is His second coming.

i. “Like most Old Testament prophets, Malachi, in his picture of the coming Christ, mingled the two advents.” (Alden)

b. He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap: The coming of this second Messenger will be awesome and terrible, but with a purpose. Both the launderer and the refiner work to clean, not to destroy.

i. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver: “The beauty of this picture is that the refiner looks into the open furnace, or pot, and knows that the process of purifying is complete, and the dross all burnt away, when he can see his image plainly reflected in the molten metal.” (Baldwin)

ii. “If any of you, my hearers, are seeking the Lord at this time, I want you to understand what it means: you are seeking a fire which will test you, and consume much which has been dear to you. We are not to expect Christ to come and save us in our sins, he will come and save us from our sins; therefore, if you are enabled by faith to take Christ as a Saviour, remember that you take him as the purger and the purifier, for it is from sin that he saves us.” (Spurgeon)

iii. We note that He will sit as a refiner. “What a comfort it is that He surrenders this work to no other hands than his own. He may give his angels charge concerning us when we are in danger; but he keeps our purification beneath his special superintendence.” (Meyer)

iv. At the same time, notice that He will sit as a refiner. The sitting posture shows that the refiner may seem indifferent, but He is not. He is carefully working with the silver, burning off and scraping away the dross that the flames bring to the top. “I think I see in the sitting down of the refiner a settled patience, as if he seemed to say, ‘This is stern work, and I will sit down to it, for it will need care, and time, and constant watchfulness.’” (Spurgeon)

v. “If you are just now in the fire, dear soul, be of good cheer – it shows at least that you are silver, and are capable of performing more acceptable service in God’s holy Temple.” (Meyer)

c. He will purify the sons of Levi: In the first two chapters of Malachi, the LORD spoke out against the corruption of the priesthood. Here, God gave His ultimate answer for that corruption – the Messiah will purify the sons of Levi.

i. “Have you ever reflected upon the fact that when Christ’s refining work is done upon us there will never be any need for it again? Blessed be God, there is no purgatorial fire. We need not dread that we have yet to pass through purging flames in another world.” (Spurgeon)

d. I will be a swift witness against sorcerers: God’s ultimate purpose is to cleanse society, and to change the hearts of men. When Jesus returns in glory and rules on this earth, evil will be quickly punished.

i. Sorcerers: This sin is mentioned first because the Jews became familiar with sorcery and other magical arts during their captivity in Babylon.

B. Returning to God instead of robbing God.

1. (6-7) While declaring His mercy, God asks for repentance.

a. I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed: If it were possible for God to change His mind about us, He might very well do it and we would be consumed. Fortunately, the LORD does not change in His love for us or His choice of us.

b. Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances: God’s unchanging love for Israel should have made them more obedient and submitted to Him, but they presumed upon His faithfulness and patience.

c. Return to Me, and I will return to you: This was a simple call to repentance. Those who have once walked with God and been committed to His covenant must return to Him. When they do, they will find that He will return to them with blessing and the marks of His presence.

i. In its most basic sense, repentance is turning away from sin and turning to God. It isn’t so much required if we want to return to God; repentance describes what the very act of returning is.

d. In what way shall we return? Israel didn’t know how to return to God. Either they chose not to know, or they simply were ignorant.

2. (8-12) How Israel needed to repent.

a. Will a man rob God? It seems strange to think that a man could rob God. What could someone possibly steal from God? The LORD explained how it could happen – they robbed God by withholding their tithes and offerings.

i. It was an expression of astonishment: Will a man rob God?

· Astonishing because it is such a daring thing to do.

· Astonishing because it is shamefully ungrateful.

· Astonishing because it is senselessly self-destructive.

· Astonishing because it will certainly be punished.

ii. God called it robbery because they had unlawful possession of what belonged to God. It wasn’t because only the tithes and offerings belonged to God. In fact, everything we have belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). Yet God does not normally command us to give everything that belongs to Him; He allows us to keep some as managers on His behalf. But the tithes and offerings are different; they are not given to us to manage – they belong to what the LORD calls My house, the house of the LORD.

iii. If we give a tithe – that is, 10% of your income or assets – to God, it isn’t as if the remaining 90% is yours to do with as you please. It all belongs to God, but He allows us to directly manage the remaining 90%.

b. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me: Because God’s people did not give as He commanded, God did not bless them materially or spiritually the way He would have otherwise. Their stingy ways proved that their hearts were far from God because God is the greatest giver (John 3:16).

i. Many people with financial problems fail to do the most important thing first: obey and honor God with their resources. When we put God and His kingdom first, He promises to meet our other needs (Matthew 6:33).

c. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse: This was the answer to their problems – to actually do what God commanded them to do, and to bring all the tithes to God. It wasn’t that they didn’t give anything to God; they simply did not bring all the tithes to Him. They must not fall short in giving God everything that He asked for.

i. Under the new covenant, are we under a similar command to tithe? The New Testament nowhere specifically commands tithing, but it certainly does speak of it in a positive light if it is done with a right heart (Luke 11:42).

ii. It is also important to understand that tithing is not a principle that depends on the Law of Moses. Hebrews 7:5-9 explains that tithing was practiced and honored by God long before the Law of Moses.

iii. What the New Testament does speak with great clarity on is the principle of giving. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 makes it clear that our giving must be:

· Periodic (done at regular periods).

· Planned (thought of in advance of the giving).

· Proportional (giving in proportion to our blessings).

· Private (not done to make us known as generous givers).

iv. As well, 2 Corinthians 9 tells us that giving must be:

· Generous (giving more rather than less).

· Freely given (not done out of guilt or manipulation).

· Cheerful (given happily and with rejoicing in God).

v. Since the New Testament doesn’t emphasize tithing, one might not be strict on it for Christians (though some Christians sadly argue against tithing on the basis of self-interest). Nevertheless, because giving is to be proportional, we should give some percentage, and ten percent is a good benchmark. For some people, 10% should really be the beginning of their giving and not the end of it.

vi. If our question is, “How little can I give and still please God?” then our heart isn’t in the right place at all. We should have the attitude of some early Christians, who essentially said: “We’re not under the tithe – we can give more!” Giving and financial management are spiritual issues not only financial issues (Luke 16:11).

d. That there may be food in My house: The purpose of the tithe was primarily to support the priests who ministered before the LORD. When the people did not bring their tithes, the priests were not properly supported and there was not enough food for them in the house of the LORD.

i. The tithe in Israel was also to be used to help the poor, and once every three years some of it was put aside for that purpose (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Still, the main purpose of the tithe was to support the tribe of Levi and the priests (Deuteronomy 14:27).

ii. The same principle carries over in the New Testament. Some people claim that a paid ministry is an abomination before God, but Paul made it clear that not only do ministers deserve to be supported by those they minister to (1 Timothy 5:18, 1 Corinthians 9:4-14) but also that their support is even more worthy than the poor (1 Timothy 5:17). Nevertheless, Paul voluntarily yielded his right to be supported when he thought it was in the best interests of the gospel to do so (1 Corinthians 9:12, 9:15).

e. And try Me now in this: It’s hard to find a comparable passage of Scripture – where the LORD commanded His people to test Him. Here, in regard to giving and His blessing of it, He told His people try Me now in this. It was as if God said, “See if you can give to Me and be the poorer for it. See if you can out-give Me.”

i. “The context for God’s words about tithes is the teaching that God is faithful. The matter of tithes is only an illustration of that teaching.” (Boice)

f. Open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it: This is the response God promised when His people give as He told them to. He would bless them both with provision and protection (I will rebuke the devourer).

i. The reference to the windows of heaven reminds us of the glorious account of provision in 2 Kings 7, when God provided in a completely unexpected way. God has resources that we know nothing about, and it is often of no help to try and predict – or worry about – how God will provide.

C. What good is it to serve God?

1. (13-15) God’s people ask the question.

a. Your words have been harsh against Me: Israel spoke against the LORD in a harsh and sinful way – and they apparently didn’t even realize they did so.

b. It is useless to serve God: These were the harsh words spoken by God’s people against God. They saw the prosperity of the proud and those who did wickedness, and they felt that it was useless to serve God as long as those who didn’t serve Him seemed to live comfortably.

i. It cost something to keep God’s ordinance, and they had to humble themselves to walk as mourners before the LORD. Yet it seemed to God’s people that the cost wasn’t worth the reward.

2. (16-18) The comfort of knowing that God remembers.

a. Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another: Discouraged by the sense that it wasn’t worth the trouble to serve God, the people of God came together – spoke to one another – and encouraged each other in the LORD.

i. When God’s people speak to one another in this way, the LORD listens from heaven. He loves to see true fellowship and love among His people.

b. A book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name: When they saw the wicked rewarded and the righteous suffer, it made them think that God forgot all their goodness. Here Malachi promises that not only will God remember, but He will write it down!

i. The thought that God has a book of remembrance is common but varied (Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 69:28; 87:6; Daniel 12:1).

c. They shall be Mine…My jewels: In the midst of suffering, assaulted by doubt and discouragement, God’s people didn’t feel like God’s jewels. Yet their feelings didn’t change the fact, and they needed to let God’s fact be greater than their feelings.

i. It was a spiritually low time for Israel – the priests and the people were steeped in corruption and mediocrity. At the same time, God always has His jewels. Even if everyone around you turns away from the LORD, you can still be one of His jewels.

ii. There are several ways that Christians are like jewels.

· They are hard and durable.

· They are prized for their luster.

· They are prized for their rarity.

· They are made by God alone.

· They are of all different sizes, yet they are all jewels.

· They are found all over the world.

· They are associated with royalty.

· They are protected.

· Some are hidden and undiscovered.

· Some are not yet polished.

d. Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked: One day this dilemma will be cleared up. In the end, the distinction between the righteous and the wicked will be evident.

1. Examine Your Life

Begin by asking yourself, Is there any unconfessed sin in my life? Make sure nothing is blocking you from being able to hear God’s voice.

Psalm 66:18 KJV 1900

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me:

Ask yourself: Is there anything (or anyone) I love more than God?

As God brings things to mind, ask for His forgiveness.

And remember, there is no shame in repentance. This act of faith pleases God and restores our fellowship with Him.

2. Accept God’s Authority

Recognize that God can be silent. There is no obligation for God to answer you, inform you or let you know anything.

“God is said to be absolutely free,” says A.W. Tozer in “The Knowledge of the Holy,” “because no one and no thing can hinder Him or compel Him or stop Him. He is able to do as He pleases always, everywhere, forever.”

WE CAN ACCEPT OR REJECT

Like us, Job faced the choice of acknowledging — or rejecting — the authority of God. In response to his suffering and loss, Job’s wife suggested he curse God and die.

Instead of following her advice, Job chose to let God be God. “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” he asked

Job 2:10 KJV 1900

10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

BY ACCEPTING WE MUST TRUST

Accepting God’s authority also means actively trusting God, realizing He is in control and can be trusted.

Job 13:15 KJV 1900

15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: But I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Nothing in Job’s life, or ours, happens apart from God’s knowledge and plan. As we learn at the beginning of the Book of Job, God was fully aware of all the things that were about to happen to Job. In fact, He gave Satan permission to do these things in Job’s life. At no point does God release His control.

3. Listen to What God Is Saying

Although God may seem silent regarding a specific request or petition, remember that He is in a constant state of communication with us.

In fact, it is possible that you already have an answer from God. The Bible is full of specific answers about what is right and wrong, as well as information about God’s character and His intention for us as His children and His followers.

So don’t forget to dig into God’s Word — His written communication to us — to find out what He has to say about the problems you are facing or the questions you are asking.

As you read the Bible, ask God to speak to you through the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of you. Often, verses of Scripture can have new significance in light of current problems you are facing.

4. Recognize That Silence Can Be Intimate

Silence can also be a sign of God’s trust in you.

The Gospel of John tells a story about Jesus’ friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha. When Jesus found out that Lazarus was ill, rather than rush to Lazarus’ house to heal him, he stayed where he was for two more days.

John 11:6 KJV 1900

6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

To Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, Jesus’ silence could have been interpreted as neglect — that Jesus did not care about or want to help them.

This mirrors many of the emotions we feel when God does not immediately answer our cries for help.

But in Jesus’ silence we, along with Mary and Martha, are drawn into a new closeness to God and understanding of His power. Four days after he died, Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus, showing His power.

“When you cannot hear God,” says Oswald Chambers in “My Utmost For His Highest,” “you will find that He has trusted you in the most intimate way possible — with absolute silence, not a silence of despair, but one of pleasure, because He saw that you could withstand an even bigger revelation.”

When you are completely comfortable with a person, it is possible to sit in a room together and not utter a word.

In love, silence can be a sign of intimacy.

For Job, God’s silence was also a result of the depth of their relationship. When Satan approached God, God said,

Job 1:8 KJV 1900

8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

5. Keep Talking to God

Just because God seems silent doesn’t mean you should doubt Him or stop praying.

God’s silence isn’t a license for us to turn our backs on Him. Instead, it’s an invitation to press forward and seek Him even more diligently.

The psalmists modeled crying out to God. David said, “Oh my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer, and by night, but I find No rest” Job also continually cries out to God, asking Him to answer.

Psalm 22:2 KJV 1900

2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; And in the night season, and am not silent.

For pages of the Book of Job, God is silent. But in chapter 38, God answers — and questions Job. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” asks God. “Tell Me, if you have understanding”

Job 38:4 KJV 1900

4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.

God is in control and has been all along. He heard Job’s cries for help. In trust, He waited for the perfect time to speak. Job was reminded:

God answers prayer.