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830.
A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF
THE PROPHECY OF MALACHI.
In its minor
fulfilment, the Word of Jehovah through the prophet Malachi is addressed to
priests in Israel's past, but in its major fulfilment serves as a warning to anointed priests of
spiritual "Israel" today.
(Chapter 1. Verses 1-5)
Here is conveyed the love Jehovah has for those he deems descendants of
spiritual "Jacob" ("Israel"), and His hatred for those with
dispositions like Esau ('Edomites'). To benefit from the inspired
book of Malachi, one must realize that this prophecy is intended to be
understood spiritually, and as having its fulfilment now during the end of
the present system of things. It may also be helpful to recall the laws given
through Moses to the priests of Israel, so that the reasons for the
complaints against those acting as priests in the spiritual "land" of God today
may be understood (foreknown by Jehovah through the sinful inclination of
priests of the past to disobey Him). (See 4:1-6).
(Verse 6)
Jehovah
is speaking to called ones acting as priests today, but who were
not chosen by Him to do so because of profaning the
"covenant" by their apostasy.
(2:10
& 3:9).
Although He is our Grand Master and Heavenly Father, they do not fear Him or
honour Him as such, and so prove they despise His Holy Name. Jehovah describes
their activities to prove they despise Him. (1:8. 1:12-14. 2:10. 2:16,17).
(Verses 7&8)
Jehovah
here describes one of the ways by which those acting as priests have shown they
despise His Holy Name: By their presenting upon His spiritual
"altar" "polluted bread". Priests are supposed to be the
"face" of
Jehovah before the people, His messenger. (2:7). Withholding or altering
the intended meaning of the Word of God containing His disciplines for the
people is the same as saying, "The table of Jehovah is something to be despised."
(1:7)
(Heb 12:7-11).
Offering an untaught male who is not anointed with the Spirit of God and has not been
sanctified for priestly service is the same as sacrificing a "blind
animal". Appointing for service a man who refuses to be wholesouled to
Jehovah is the same as sacrificing a "lame animal", and appointing
one not sound in mind like sacrificing a "sick animal".
(Titus 1:8). Since those governing the people would not accept inferior ones in
their service, it is most certainly disgraceful to offer them in service to
Almighty God.
(Verse 9)
Jehovah's
favour and blessing is withheld from apostate priests and willing subjects of
their rebellion. In this verse the mercy of Jehovah is expressed through
Malachi. Only by anointed chosen ones honouring their priestly responsibilities can they
"soften His face" and gain His favour. The rebellion of
apostate priests is solely from
their "hand" (their deeds) and so
incurs Divine disfavour.
(Verse 10)
Jehovah
asks who among those falsely acting as priests would shut Him off completely
from the people, "polluting" His "bread" to such an
extent that there is no one faithful to light the "altar" for. Jehovah takes no pleasure in the "gift offering" of spiritually
unqualified spokesmen of His Word. The seriousness of their position is now made
clear to them.
(Verse 11)
This
verse reveals the futility of opposition to Jehovah, as His Name will be great
among the nations from morning to night. The "presentation" made
to Jehovah is our Lord Jesus Christ, who presented himself as a "clean
gift" so that the Name of Jehovah becomes great "among the
nations".
(Verse 12)
Apostate
priests profane Jehovah by falsely claiming His
table is polluted. They say "its food" (spiritual "food")
is not safe for consumption and has as "its fruit" people
fit only to be despised!
(Verse 13)
Knowing
accurately the Word of God but refusing to accept this "bread" of
corrective discipline and teach all of it fearlessly, is the same as saying,
"Look! What a weariness! and you have caused a sniffing at it," (to express their disapproval). Instead they offer the "polluted bread"
of apostate teachings to create the "lame one", "sick one"
and those "torn away" as described in verse 14 and on
Page 831.
(Cont. on Page 831).
5/2/78.
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