“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6)
This is the word of the Lord by Malachi to the sons of Jacob or Israel. God’s ordinances never change. And His Word never changes. What He has declared will come to pass. Because of His promises to Jacob, God didn’t destroy the Israelites for their sins. God tells them to return to Him and He will return to them. They replied, “Wherein shall we return?” (Malachi 3:7) That word “wherein” means why. They asked to what end or why will we return. Even though they had the oracles of God and knew His marvelous works for them, they were blinded spiritually. The Lord even tells them, and they don’t understand. “Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?” (Malachi 3:13) Their words were obstinate against the Lord, but they were not aware of it. The Lord has to tell them specifically what their sin is. “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? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.” (Malachi 3:14-15)
But not all are rebellious. The Lord mentions them. “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. 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.” (Malachi 3:16-17) The word jewels mean wealth or treasure. The Lord has His treasure for those who revere Him and who love His Name. And it is written in His book, one of the books that will be opened at the judgement. “And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:11-12)
While God was speaking to the nation of Israel, we must always remember that we are part of Israel. The church is part of Israel. Paul taught on this. “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.” (Romans 11:16-18) The only thing we can boast on is the root. The root of Jesse. “And in that day, there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:10) This is Jesus Who came through the lineage of David. David was promised an eternal kingdom because of his love for and faithfulness to the Lord. (2 Samuel 7:16) This is fulfilled in Jesus Who will reign for eternity.
So as the Lord spoke to Israel, He speaks to the church. Are we obstinate against the Lord? Our born-again spirit is in communication with the Holy Spirit Who is always in communication with the Father and Jesus. We get the witness in our spirit not to do something, but we do it anyway. We don’t want to disobey the Lord, but the world and the flesh pull us. And we fall into sin. We are rude or unkind to others, failing to love them like Jesus loved us. We lie and steal, gossip and curse others with our thoughts and words. If this happens to us, realize that this is a symptom of the need for more of the Lord. “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:” (Col 3:9-10).
There is a need to “return” to the Lord. Repent, confess and surrender. (1John 1:9-10) If you are failing to read the Word of God, begin to faithfully read it daily. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2) The Word of God transforms us. It has the power because it is alive. (Hebrews 4:12) Spend time with the Lord. Moses and Jesus at the transfiguration both came away with God’s glorious light on them after being in God’s presence. (Exodus 34:29; Matthew 17:2) Don’t think that your countenance will not be changed when you spend time with the Lord. And not only your countenance but soul (mind, will, emotions) will come in line with the spirit. I love that old chorus, that says turn your eyes upon Jesus and the things of earth will be strangely dim. That is so true! Listen to it and let it minister to you.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
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