VIII. Taking Reverence for God Seriously (Malachi 3:13-18)
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VIII. Taking Reverence for God Seriously (3:13-18)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom (Prov 1:7; 9:10). It leads to life and away from evil (Prov 16:6; 19:23). To fear the Lord is not to be terrified of him, but to hold him in reverence. Think about electricity. We don’t go about our days frightened of electricity, but neither do we stick a screwdriver in an electrical outlet. We have an appropriate “fear” and respect for it. Taking God seriously is the key difference between the two groups described in Malachi 3:13-18.
3:13-15 This first group takes God casually. For them, God is like a spare tire—someone to turn to when circumstances go flat. When he bails them out, they put him back in the spiritual trunk. Your words against me are harsh, the Lord tells them. But they don’t know what he’s talking about (3:13). So, he spells it out for them. They have said, It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping his requirements? (3:14). We consider the arrogant to be fortunate because they prosper (3:15). So, in other words, they feel they are doing a lot of religious activity for God and getting nothing out of it. The wicked, they believe, are thus better off than they.
The problem we’ve seen repeatedly in Malachi is that he’s addressing a group of people who are fulfilling religious duty with no concern for a relationship. In a sense, they just want to come to church and get their cut. But the vital principle of covenant is relationship. The way to unlock the door to a new level of experience with God is to pursue a relationship with him—to pursue him for who he is, not just for what we want him to give us.
3:16-18 This second group is described as those who feared the Lord. They took God seriously. And, don’t miss this: The Lord took notice and listened (3:16). And how does he respond to their faith? He says, They will be mine . . . my own possession . . . I will have compassion on them (3:17). In the end, people will look at these two groups and be able to see the difference between one who serves God and one who does not (3:18).
An appraiser is someone who examines something and sets a value on it. You and I must appraise God and see what he is worth. If we examine him honestly and see him as he has truly revealed himself in Scripture, we will find that he’s absolutely worthy of all our love and reverence and service.