Daily Truthbase: April 2012

Malachi 1-4 Lord of the Leftovers or Lord of Your Life?

Malachi 1-4 Lord of the Leftovers or Lord of Your Life?

Bill Blurb: Congratulations! If you started in Genesis 1, you have arrived at the end of the OT. You might want to start thinking of developing a Biblical Theology of the OT to get a head start on Saturday's “Week in Review.” Try this OT summary statement on for size to get started: “The Creator has sovereignly determined to bless those who faithfully do what's right in His sight, and curse those who don't (and in the process glorifies Himself).”

Psalm 117:1-2 Worldwide Praise

117:1 “Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples! 2 For His hesed/loyal covenantal love is great toward us. Yahweh’s faithfulness-truth endures forever. Praise Yah!"

Observations: 117:1 The entire psalm is two verses, the shortest chapter in the Bible. It is God's plan for all nations and peoples to praise Him, through His blessing of the Israelites. This is in accord with the covenant God made to Abe in Genesis:

Genesis 12:1 Now Yahweh had said to Abram: " Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Note the reason to praise God is because of His hesed, or loyal covenantal love, which would result in all nations being blessed as He faithfully fulfilled His covenanted promises to Israel. The Hebrew word for truth or faithfulness is the same, stressing the firm, solid trustworthy reliability of something, hence truth or faithfulness. It comes from a root that is used to describe a solid door jam/support or a faithful nurse maid. The blessings reach their fullest extent in the work of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom. Paul quotes it to demonstrate that the Gentiles will praise God for His mercy when He confirms the promises made to the patriarchs.

Romans 15:11 Again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him."

Application: God will do all He has promised, faithfully and forever; count on it.

Prayer: Trustworthy God, I trust You to faithfully fulfill all Your promises as I faithfully follow and praise You. Amen.

Proverbs 26:10-12 What's Worse than a Fool?

Pr 26:10 “Many pains to him who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by. 11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly. 12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.“

Observations: 26:10 The text is difficult to translate as a glance at the translations reveals. The above rendering is in keeping with the context of avoiding interacting with fools because they cause harm to those around them.

26:11 A fool repeats his folly like a dog that eats what he just threw up. Yuck. They don't learn from mistakes and make them again, and again, and again and...

26:12 As bad as a fool is, there is someone worse, a moronic idiot who doesn't seek counsel because they have convinced themselves that their wicked way is right. The hallmark of such an individual is that they don't listen to and consider counsel, because what they want doesn't stand up to Biblical scrutiny. There is hope that a fool can reap enough pain to repent, not so with the idiot who is wise in their own eyes, but not God's.

Application: If you think you're doing the wise thing, it will bear the scrutiny and counsel of others. If you can't defend it, maybe it's not so wise.

Prayer: God, may I never be such a complete idiot that I live independently of the wise counsel of others. Amen.

Malachi 1-4 – In this final book of the OT, God calls the nation to live in covenant faithfulness so He can bless them. Malachi's message is organized around a group of “disputes” or debates in question and answer format addressing: offering/giving, faithfulness, and just blessing/cursing. God's purpose for wanting Israel to live faithfully is buried in the middle of chapter 2 in an obscure verse. The book ends with a promises of the Messiah and his forerunner. After Malachi, there are 400 years of silence until John the Baptist quotes Isaiah 40, and heralds the continuation of God's plan to bless His people.

The book has a chiastic structure; here is a simple approach that doesn't do the book justice, but will give you a starting point for developing your own.

1:2-5 A Covenant choice of Israel

1:6-14 B Unrighteous offering rejected

2:1-9 C Covenant unfaithfulness described

2:10-17 c’ Covenant faithfulness desired

3:1-12 b’ Refining and righteous offering

3:13-4:6 a’ Covenant consequences of blessing/cursing

Malachi 1 Lord of the Leftovers

1:1 An oracle: the word of Yahweh to Israel by Malachi. 2 "I have loved you," says Yahweh. Yet you say, "How have you loved us?" "Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?" says Yahweh, "Yet I loved Jacob; 3 but Esau I hated, and made his mountains a desolation, and gave his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness." 4 Whereas Edom says, "We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places"; thus says Yahweh of Hosts, "They shall build, but I will throw down; and men will call them ‘The Wicked Land,’ even the people against whom Yahweh shows wrath forever." 5 Your eyes will see, and you will say, "Yahweh is great—even beyond the border of Israel!"

6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? Says Yahweh of Hosts to you, priests, who despise my name. You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 You offer polluted bread on my altar. You say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ In that you say, ‘Yahweh’s table contemptible.’ 8 When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn’t that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?" says Yahweh of Hosts. 9 "Now, please entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?" says Yahweh of Hosts. 10 "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you," says Yahweh of Hosts, "neither will I accept an offering at your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same, my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering: for my name is great among the nations," says Yahweh of Hosts. 12 "But you profane it, in that you say, ‘Yahweh’s table is polluted, and its fruit, even its food, is contemptible.’ 13 You say also, ‘Behold, what a weariness it is!’ and you have sniffed at it," says Yahweh of Hosts; "and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this at your hand?" says Yahweh. 14 "But the deceiver is cursed, who has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to the Lord a blemished thing; for I am a great King," says Yahweh of Hosts, "and my name is awesome among the nations."

Observations: 1:1-5 The nation doubts God's love and that He's good, an error as old as Genesis 3 (which makes this a fitting conclusion to the OT for fans of inclusio). Loving Jacob and hating hating Esau has engendered a number of errors as well. The love-hate relationship is national, not individual. God never said this about the individuals, nor during the ~1,500 years that separated them from the audience of Malachi. Love and hate are covenantal terms (see comments on Gen 26:27). God chose Isaac's son, Jacob and his descendents rather than his brother Esau for special covenantal blessing. By choosing to bless Jacob's descendents with hesed (loyal covenantal love), he did not chose to have a covenantal relationship with Esau's descendents, a sign of “hate” for them, and “love” for the children of Jacob/Israel. God's wrath against Edom for both pride and ill-treatment of Israel (see Obadiah) which would result in their nation not being rebuilt, while Israel would be rebuilt was proof of God's love or hesed for Israel.

1:6-14 The correct response of a lesser power to a greater power in a Suzerain-Vassal (father-son relationship – see Ps 2:7 comments) was honor, but they didn't give God honor, instead they gave Him grief, making Him Lord of the Leftovers. They wouldn't even give their foreign governor, who wouldn't accept it, the things they offered to God in a vain attempt to find favor. God has no pleasure in them but is pained by their behavior because they are defaming His name in the sight of others, showing He is not worthy of their best. When we pain Him, we will feel His pain. The wise will demonstrate that God is worthy of wholehearted devotion and service, so others will be drawn to worship Him as well. If you're ashamed of Your God, not only will He be ashamed of you (Mk 8:38), but both you and He will be shamed in the sight of others. How much would others say your God is worth to you?

Application: When you give God the leftovers of your time, energy and talents, and obedience and worship are wearisome, you have made the Great God, Lord of your leftovers, and will receive grief rather than grace.

Prayer: Lord God of heaven and earth and my life, I will wholeheartedly honor you by giving You my prime time, greatest energy, and what is most precious to me; may You find my devotion and service pleasing in Your sight. Amen.

Malachi 2 Cursing For Covenant-breaking

2:1 "Now, you priests, this commandment is for you. 2 If you will not listen, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name," says Yahweh of Hosts, "then will I send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your seed, and will spread dung on your faces, even the dung of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. 4 You will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant may be with Levi," says Yahweh of Hosts. 5 "My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him that he might fear me; and he feared me, and stood in awe of my name. 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. 7 For the priest’s lips should preserve knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Yahweh of Hosts. 8 But you have turned aside out of the way. You have caused many to stumble in the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi," says Yahweh of Hosts. 9 "Therefore I have also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according to the way you have not kept my ways, but have had respect for persons in the law.

13 This also you do: you cover the altar of Yahweh with tears, with weeping, and with sighing, because he doesn’t regard the offering any more, neither receives it with good will at your hand. 14 Yet you say, ‘Why?’ Because Yahweh has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion, and the wife of your covenant. 15 Did he not make you one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? Why one? He sought a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For I hate divorce," says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "and him who does violence to the one he should protect" (NIV) says Yahweh of Hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you don’t deal treacherously.

17 You have wearied Yahweh with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of Yahweh, and he delights in them’; or ‘Where is the God of justice?’

Observations: 2:1-9 God reproves the priests, covenant breakers, and the doubters in this chapter. The priests bear the brunt of the rebuke for failing to glorify God as Lord of All, but instead were accomplices in making Him Lord of the Leftovers, forsaking the law's requirements. As a result, instead of the blessings He promised to those who feared His name, they would receive the cursing for those who treated Him contemptuously. Instead of walking with God and turning people to righteousness, they skipped out on Him, and caused many to stumble. (See “Daniel the Disciplemaker” sermon in a couple of Sundays.) As a kingdom of priests, all should know truth and transmit it through their lives. There are many “believers” who are bad advertisements for God. If you're not walking the talk, please keep your mouth shut. God (and those who seek to walk with Him) would appreciate it (cf. 1:10).

2:10-16 God next addresses their covenant loyalty (hesed). Even though they are all children of Jacob/Israel and owe loyalty to each other, they have failed to be faithful to their covenantal obligations to the nation (look up “treacherously”). By marrying foreign wives, they have not only violated the law but brought the idolatrous pagan influences into the nation, which had lead to their judgment and exile. Even Solomon the wise was not immune (1Kgs 10-11).

Deuteronomy 7:3 “neither shall you make marriages with them; your daughter you shall not give to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son. 4 For they will turn away your son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so the anger of Yahweh would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.”

God's plan was that godly parents would raise up godly children (Dt 6) who would walk with God so He could bless them. But pagan parents prevent that from happening. God had a “residue” of the Spirit, which some think means that He could have created (Gen 2:7) more individuals directly, but chose to use the marriage and parenting process instead. Others translate verse 15 as indicating that anyone who had even a residue of the “spirit” wouldn't divorce, but this view is alien to the context, especially the “one seed” objective.

God says “I hate divorce” because it disrupts the plan, and violates the covenant made with their original wives. Divorce is a form of violence to the other party. Our God is a fiercely covenant-keeping God (a reflection of His holiness and justice). Yet, He also told them to put away/divorce their foreign wives (Ezra 10:11 see 9-10 the same period, after the exile). One has to ask the question: What constitutes marriage in God's sight? Does God join two unbelievers together to accomplish His purposes of a “godly seed” (2:15)? We'll revisit the subject when we discuss Matthew 19:6. In the meantime, divorce is prevented by being loyal to God, and guarding one's spirit. Divorce results from putting our own selfish interests ahead of God's and the other person's benefit. Therefore, guarding one's spirit, and making sure it is in sync with God's keeps us in sync (oneness) with another person.

2:17-18 The last rebuke is to those who doubt God's justice and loyalty to His promises, which is answered in the next chapter.

Application: From Adam's day to Malachi's day, God requires covenant faithfulness for blessing.

Prayer: God, thanks for being loyal to Your promises and me; help me be loyal to you and my promises to others, so I reflect your hesed. Amen.

Malachi 3 Refining, Robbing, and Revering

3:1 "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he comes!" says Yahweh of Hosts. 2 "But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap; 3 and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to Yahweh offerings in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to Yahweh, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years. 5 I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against the perjurers, and against those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and who deprive the foreigner of justice, and don’t fear me," says Yahweh of Hosts. 6 "For I, Yahweh, don’t change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.

7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my ordinances, and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says Yahweh of Hosts." But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with the curse; for you rob me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh 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 for. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before its time in the field," says Yahweh of Hosts. 12 "All nations shall call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land," says Yahweh of Hosts.

13 "Your words have been strong against me," says Yahweh. "Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God’; and ‘What profit is it that we have followed his instructions, and that we have walked mournfully before Yahweh of Hosts? 15 Now we call the proud happy; yes, those who work wickedness are built up; yes, they tempt God, and escape.’ 16 Then those who feared Yahweh spoke one with another; and Yahweh listened, and heard, and a book of memory was written before him, for those who feared Yahweh, and who honored his name. 17 They shall be mine," says Yahweh of Hosts, "my own possession in the day that I make, and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him. 18 Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn’t serve him.

Observations: 3:1-6 God will send his messenger (identified in the NT as John the Baptist - Mt 11:10, cf Isa 40), who will prepare the way for the Messenger of the Covenant (Messiah), the Desire of Nations. However, when He comes, it won't be a time that is pleasant, but it will be a time of purification and refining, so that the priests will offer proper sacrifices (rather than treating God as Lord of the Leftovers). The Messiah will judge the unrighteous adulterers, perjurers, and unjust oppressors, all of whom don't fear Him (but they will). God and His requirements don't change, which is why the sons of Jacob aren't consumed (He is loyal {hesed} to His covenant to bless Jacob's descendents, which also means that the covenantal obligations are still in force).

3:7-12 God calls the nation to return to Him, since they have turned away from following His ordinances. They ask how, He says they've robbed Him, in tithes and offerings. The nations was required to bring the firstborn and ten percent (tithe) of their increase/profit to the temple as a recognition of God's ownership (and for the support of the priests). The NT doesn't teach a tithe, but many consider it a good benchmark (see Faithfulness with our Treasure at the end of the TOYL book on Truthbase.net for more info on NT giving). The NT perspective is that God owns it all, and we need to be good stewards of His “stuff.” We don't give Him a cheap tip (10%) and spend the rest as we please; it's all His. What does God want done with His “stuff”?

2Corinthians 9:7 let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver

God invites people to test Him and see if He won't bless them beyond their ability to receive it. Any “ministry” that talks more about money than how to live so as to please God, and be blessed by Him through faithful obedience, isn't worth supporting. Perhaps you should suggest that they try applying this passage themselves if it works so well. Is someone mentions “storehouse giving”, run, unless they are also running a major temple complex and carrying out all the sacrifices mandated in the Mosaic law (oh, those could only be offered where God specified, in Jerusalem, which after 70 became non-existent). God doesn't need your money, but you need to give. If your “church” isn't teaching people to obey Biblical truth (Mt 28:20), find one you can support.

3:13-18 God rebukes the people for doubting His justice. They say it's vain/unprofitable to serve Him. It looked like the wicked were blessed and the righteous, who served God, got nothing. The ones who feared God, encouraged each other to do right, and God eavesdropped and has written them down in a memory book entitled: “People I will bless on Judgment Day.” When God returns He will pay back (recompense) both His unprofitable servants, and those who fear Him and honor His name. “I will spare them” is an understatement to emphasize that He will surely bless them (cf. Rev 3:5). My good friend, Tom Alberti, surmised that time distorts reality, by introducing distance and noise between cause and effect. The reality is that one reaps what one sows, but because we don't immediately see it, we doubt it. Rest assured that our infinitely holy and just God has to reward good with blessing and evil with cursing, because He has said He will do that. It's just a matter of time before it happens, oh ye of little faith.

Application: Fearing, serving, and giving God our all is the wise and faithful way to live; anything less is dishonorable.

Prayer: God, may I never be guilty of robbing You of anything you've entrusted to me, from the minutes of my life to your money in my stewardship, but may I use all for Your purposes, honor, and glory. Amen.

Malachi 4 The Day Comes

4:1 "For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace; and all the proud, and all who work wickedness, will be stubble; and the day that comes will burn them up," says Yahweh of Hosts, "that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out, and leap like calves of the stall. 3 You shall tread down the wicked; for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make," says Yahweh of Hosts.

4 "Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded to him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse."

Observations: 4:1-3 The OT started in Genesis with blessing for obedience, and ends with a curse for those who don't obey nor do what is pleasing and right in God's sight (a fitting summary of the OT). In the Day of the Lord, the proud and wicked will be burned and the ones who fear God (notice that's the only requirement, because those who fear, obey and do what is right in God's sight) will experience the heat of the sun as healing/beneficial. The sun arising with healing/profit is a figure of blessing. This is not an absolute comment of the eternal destiny of souls, but a figurative description of the Millennial kingdom. How can the righteous tread down (subdue and rule) the wicked if they don't exist?

4:4-6 Malachi ends with an admonishment to obey the revelation God gave to Moses for all of Israel. He promises to send Elijah (who didn't die) to turn the hearts of fathers and sons toward each other (as the law mandated Dt 5:16; 6:7) so the godly offspring God desired (Mal 2:15) would grow. The NT indicates that John the Baptist would have fulfilled this role had the people accepted it (Mark 9:11-13), so this promise awaits future fulfillment (Rev 11:3 maybe?).

Application: The Sun burns or heals, which we experience will be determined by whether or not we've feared God and done what is right in His sight.

Prayer: Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God has chosen to establish a covenant with Israel and bless faithfulness, and curse unfaithfulness. His purpose is to have a people that will please Him and raise offspring He can bless in fulfillment of His promise to Abraham. He will discipline and refine the unrighteous and unfaithful in an effort to get them to return to the place of blessing. He will return to execute an irrevocable judgment on those who choose to be recipients of His wrath. He will reward those who are faithful and make Him Lord of their lives rather than their leftovers.

Us in a nutshell: As in all the Bible, we have a choice to serve God or ourselves. Choosing the latter will result in discipline and judgment. Choosing the former will result in reward and blessing. Choose wisely.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Malachi complete text

Malachi 1

6 "A son honours his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honour? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? Says Yahweh of Hosts to you, priests, who despise my name. You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 You offer polluted bread on my altar. You say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ In that you say, ‘Yahweh’s table contemptible.’ 8 When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn’t that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?" says Yahweh of Hosts. 9 "Now, please entreat the favour of God, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?" says Yahweh of Hosts. 10 "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you," says Yahweh of Hosts, "neither will I accept an offering at your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same, my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering: for my name is great among the nations," says Yahweh of Hosts. 12 "But you profane it, in that you say, ‘Yahweh’s table is polluted, and its fruit, even its food, is contemptible.’ 13 You say also, ‘Behold, what a weariness it is!’ and you have sniffed at it," says Yahweh of Hosts; "and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this at your hand?" says Yahweh. 14 "But the deceiver is cursed, who has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to the Lord a blemished thing; for I am a great King," says Yahweh of Hosts, "and my name is awesome among the nations."

Malachi 2

2:1 "Now, you priests, this commandment is for you. 2 If you will not listen, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name," says Yahweh of Hosts, "then will I send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your seed, and will spread dung on your faces, even the dung of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. 4 You will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant may be with Levi," says Yahweh of Hosts. 5 "My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him that he might be reverent toward me; and he was reverent toward me, and stood in awe of my name. 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. 7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Yahweh of Hosts. 8 But you have turned aside out of the way. You have caused many to stumble in the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi," says Yahweh of Hosts. 9 "Therefore I have also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according to the way you have not kept my ways, but have had respect for persons in the law.

10 Don’t we all have one father? Hasn’t one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our fathers? 11 Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the holiness of Yahweh which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. 12 Yahweh will cut off, to the man who does this, him who wakes and him who answers, out of the tents of Jacob, and him who offers an offering to Yahweh of Hosts. 13 This again you do: you cover the altar of Yahweh with tears, with weeping, and with sighing, because he doesn’t regard the offering any more, neither receives it with good will at your hand. 14 Yet you say, ‘Why?’ Because Yahweh has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion, and the wife of your covenant. 15 Did he not make you one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? Why one? He sought a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For I hate divorce," says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with violence!" says Yahweh of Hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you don’t deal treacherously. 17 You have wearied Yahweh with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of Yahweh, and he delights in them’; or ‘Where is the God of justice?’

Malachi 3

7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my ordinances, and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says Yahweh of Hosts." But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with the curse; for you rob me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh 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 for. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before its time in the field," says Yahweh of Hosts. 12 "All nations shall call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land," says Yahweh of Hosts.

13 "Your words have been stout against me," says Yahweh. "Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God’; and ‘What profit is it that we have followed his instructions, and that we have walked mournfully before Yahweh of Hosts? 15 Now we call the proud happy; yes, those who work wickedness are built up; yes, they tempt God, and escape.’ 16 Then those who feared Yahweh spoke one with another; and Yahweh listened, and heard, and a book of memory was written before him, for those who feared Yahweh, and who honoured his name. 17 They shall be mine," says Yahweh of Hosts, "my own possession in the day that I make, and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him. 18 Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn’t serve him.

Malachi 4

Joy

I. True Joy coexists with sorrow and deprivation. Joy is an enduring expectation of optimism that all will be well, and at the moment couldn't be any better. Joy is sustainable and not subject to the law of diminishing returns Rejoicing is the expression of joy
Heb 12:2 who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame 2Cor 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;

Acts 5:41 rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Js 1:2 count it all joy when you fall into various trials

"Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness" Tolstoy

"This is the true joy of life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one."-G Bernard Shaw

"Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give" Eleanor Roosevelt

II. False Joy is a temporary feeling of well-being resulting from a temporal (worldly) value system Job 20:5 the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment Pr 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom. See Joy Stealers

III. Joy is realized in the Presence of God who is found through obedience. Lk 24:52 worshiped him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy

Ps 16:11 You will show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Ps 15:1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart. 3 that backbites not with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honors them that fear the LORD. Swears to his own hurt and changes not

Ecc 2:26 God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God

Jn 14:21 has my commands, obeys them...loves me: he that loves me shall be loved of my Father & I will love him, and will manifest myself to him

Js 4:4 adulterers...friendship of the world is enmity with God? be a friend of the world be enemy of God. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

IV. Joy is a Fruit of the Spirit produced just like those of the flesh. Joy is not a feeling, nor is faithfulness or self-control

Spirit of God uses the Word of God to produce in us the Mind (and actions) of Christ (set of mind, born of spiritual vs carnal values)

Gal 5:6 faith working thru love 13 liberty...don't indulge flesh...thru love serve one another 14 (love fulfills law) 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you desire. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious... immorality … hatred...anger...jealousy...those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy...24 Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit.

Jesus is concerned with our Joy and has told us how to get it Jn 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you...8 Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples. 10 If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love...11 These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you
Sourced in the HS Romans 14:17 the kingdom of God is not food and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

V. Joy Results from Choosing What Is Best {wisdom} (Phil esp 1:18; 1:4 pray 1:25 faith 2:2 unity 2:17 self-sacrifice 4:1 invest in others)
A. Joy Withered? Obedience Required Joel 1:12 The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languishes; because...joy is withered away

2:12 Turn to Me with all your heart...13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God.

Repent Truly Ps 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness bones...may rejoice. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me...

Confess and walk in the light with others 1Jn 1:4 And these things write we to you, that your joy may be full.
Humble yourself Isa 29:19 The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Be freed from sin Acts 8:8 (freed from demonic oppression in Samaria) And there was great joy in that city.
Names Written Lk 10:20 do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.
Contemplate Salvation Ps 21:1 The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

B. Be Righteous Ps 68:3 righteous be glad; rejoice before God: exceedingly rejoice. 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, you righteous: joy...upright in heart Serve God Isa 65:14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart
Sow Righteousness Ps 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Do what’s just Pr 21:15 It is joy to the just to do judgment
Purpose Peace Pr 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine (plow) evil: but to the counselors (purposes) of peace is joy.

C. Receive Truth Ps 43:3 Send out thy light and truth: let them lead me...to thy holy hill, 4...unto God my exceeding joy..praise you, O God
Mine the Word Ps 119:162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that finds great spoil/. Devour the Word Jer 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was to me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name
Rejoice in the truth 1 Cor 13:6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
Respond to teaching 2 Cor 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand.

D. Believe Rm 15:13 God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, thru the power of the HS
Trust Ps 5:11 let all that put their trust in you rejoice: shout for joy, because you defend them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in you.
Rejoice in God in spite of circumstances Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Ps 31:7; 32:11; 33:1,21; 35:9
Chose to be grateful Psalms 118:24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Sing Ps 71:23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to you; and my soul, which you have redeemed.
Cultivate a fruitful prayer life Jn 16:24 you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Cultivate Dependence Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, acc to his glorious power, to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness

E. Discipline your children Pr 17:21...father of a fool has no joy. 23:24 father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: wise son shall have joy
Build your marriage Pr 5:18 Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of your youth

F. Pursue Unity John 17:13 these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Get good counsel Pr 27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Honor Others 1 Cor 12:26 whether one member suffer, all suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Say the right thing Pr 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
Elect good government Pr 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn.
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G. Give Sacrificially 2Cor 8:1 grace 2 very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 gave even beyond their ability...pleaded with us for the privilege 5 gave themselves first to the Lord, then by the will of God to us.
Give with a perfect heart 1Chron 29:9 people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD
Sacrifice Neh 12:43 Also that day they offered greatsacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy
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H. Value Maturity and Reward Js 1:2 count it all joy when you fall into rials 3 knowing..produces...9...rejoice in that he is exalted:
Heb 10:34...took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and enduring substance
Rm 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Acts 5:41 rejoicing that they worthy to suffer shame
Reap Reward Mt 25:21 Well done, good and faithful servant: you has been faithful over a few..ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of thy lord
Lk 6:23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for your reward is great in heaven: for so their fathers treated the prophets.
Hope of Glory Rm 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Is 61:7 For your shame...double; for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion...they shall possess double: everlasting joy shall be to them
1Pt 1:6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations :(1:18)
Suffer purposefully 1 Pt 4:13 rejoice...you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, when his glory is revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
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I. Endure persecution Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Endure tribulation Rm 5:1-11 but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Joy is a result of a painful process Jn 16:20 you shall weep and lament, you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 22 And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.
Defeat Demons Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
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J. Disciplemake 1Thess 2:19 what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing...you in the presence of our Lord at his coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy. 3:9 what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God
Philemon 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the hearts of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Jn 4:36 he that reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit unto life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together
Col 2:5 absent in the flesh, I am with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
1Thess3:9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
2Jn 1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
3 Jn 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, even as you walk in the truth.
Difficulties that cause other’s growth Jn 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe;
2 Cor 7:9 I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner
Help folks who want to grow Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
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K. Seek God’s Character Ps 105:3 Glory you in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
1Chron 16:10 Glory in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 2 Chron 6:41...let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
Ps 40:16 Let all those that seek you rejoice and be glad in you: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
God’s Mercy Ps 90:14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
God’s Sovereignty Ps 97:1 The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad.
God’ Holiness Ps 97:12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
God’s Justice Ps 67:4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for you shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations
God’s Vengeance Ps 58:10 The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

God’s Helpfulness Ps 63:7 Because you have been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Hear of God’s work Acts 15:3 they passed...declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
Consider God’s Works Lk 19:37...the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen Ps 86:4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How does joy differ from happiness? Is joy a feeling, an emotion, or what? Can emotions be commanded? Should joy be continual?
2. Is there anything wrong w/ having your joy dependent upon anything temporal or external? How do being praised and giving relate to joy?
3. Why doesn't joy come automatically? Where do most people trip on the path to joy? What’s the corrective?
4. What are some of the “bests” you need to choose? What steps will you take to boost your joy level?
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 See: Joy Stealers (courtesy of SH) on Truthbase.net outline

VI. Joy Stealers (courtesy of SH)

1. False Salvation - Seeking joy without the Holy Spirit; pursuing righteous activity without being in Christ = frustration.
2. The influence of Satan and demons.
3. The need to understand God’s sovereignty better - Fretting as if God were not in control, feeling the need for you to control your life (orchestrating all yourself), or feel that others control your life.
4. Not praying (enough) -Failing to commit to the Lord your life, your concerns; depending on human insight and staying away from divine insight.
5. Low after spiritual high - Going from a great spiritual experience (sermon, music, answered prayer) to trial in life.
6. Circumstance Orientation - Taking all signals from the material world; emotions controlled by the world’s shallowness. Having what you want, being treated as you want, living as you want, big events, new things, vacations...and if you don’t or aren’t, you’re miserable.
7. Ingratitude- (i.e. Be grateful) Need to focus on things received from God, be satisfied, see trials as opportunities from God.
8. Forgetfulness - Remember what you are saved from. (New babes in Christ don’t usually cause splits in churches, they are too grateful and joyful about what they’ve received.)
9. Dissatisfaction- With you earthly condition, (looks, living situation, place in life, feeling short-changed, job).
10. Fear of the Future- Imagine the worst to happen—failure, loss, illness, death, things aren’t happening (the way you want them to.)
11. Live by Uncontrolled Feelings - “A weak person doesn’t talk to themselves enough.” Control yourself—thoughts, behavior...
12. Morbid Self-Analysis - Psychology may get in the way considering scripture is all that is really needed to give guidelines for life, it makes us self-centered, always looking to be set free but just really dredging up sins we’ve committed. We are inadequate, yes. Accept it and get God’s help as it was offered. Finding out all the “whys” won’t always help.
13. Guilt- Unwillingness to accept forgiveness, “I just can’t forgive myself” even though God has; always going back to that “one thing” you just can’t let go of.