ÿWPCˆ  U,R 0J~ 0TÈ 0^ 0hz 0râ 0|T 0†Ð 0V 1uæ %[ 0da 0BÅU0v~7vÓµ< Œ 9p`(Geneva2 ÿÿ0Indent1Ô2ÔÔ3  Ô2" ÿÿ0Indent2à0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2, ÿÿ0Indent3à0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô26 ÿÿ0Indent4à0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2@ ÿÿ0Indent5à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2J ÿÿ0Indent6à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2T ÿÿ0Indent7à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô2^ ÿÿ0Indent8à0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô ÿÿ?AGMSYaioIndent0I.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)XP ÿÿ8Mac DefaultMac DefaultÓ ` °šXÓ("ÿÿ$¡¡Ý ƒ ÿÝÝ  Ý< Œ 9p`(PalatinoPtPtHHü@ÿòÿî R^(ü,, o `'ihKTStyl{WP}01•ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà Ãà Ãà Ãà Ãà ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÐ ÐÐHHÐÐ  ÐÐ2ÐÐÿÿ¸æ$ÿÐÐHHÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ  ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÑÑÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÑ € ÑÑ<Px–ÈÑÒÒÒ443!#4ÒÒ$ *$ÒÒ$*$ÒÒ ÿKK ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÓ.,ÓÓÓÓ6ÓÓ ÓßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßÑGenevaÑÑ ÑÒ  Geneva ÒÒ  Geneva ÒÝ ƒ !ÝÔ . ÔÝ  ÝÒ Ü ÒÒ „ ÒØ ØÓ&€(d&ÓÑ#€Xd#ÑÓ&€X(d&ÓÓ  ÓÑ#€Xd#ÑÓ  ÓÓ` °¢,à.ƒXÓÔ€ÔÔ€RÔò òCONVERSATIONS€WITH€GODó óÔ€XÔÌÑ#€Xd#ÑÓ  ÓÌÓ(€ #(ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àINTRODUCTION„„€In€the€Old€Testament,€God€spoke€many€times.Ìà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àSometimes€it€was€directly€to€certain€individuals.€ò òGenesis€15:1€Ô€Ôó ó€Ô€ÔòòAfter€these€thingsÏthe€word€of€the€LORD€came€to€Abram€in€a€vision,€saying,€"Do€not€be€afraid,€Abram.€I€amÏyour€shield,€your€exceedingly€great€reward."€óóÌà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àHe€often€spoke€through€prophets.€ò òHebrews€1:1€ó óòòGod,€who€at€various€times€and€inÏvarious€ways€spoke€in€time€past€to€the€fathers€by€the€prophets,óóÌà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àWhen€he€spoke€to€all€the€children€of€Israel€with€his€own€voice,€they€were€afraidÏto€hear.€Ìò òà àó óà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôò òà0 àExodus€20:1„21€ó óòòNow€all€the€people€witnessed€the€thunderings,€the€lightning€flashes,Ïthe€sound€of€the€trumpet,€and€the€mountain€smoking;€and€when€the€people€saw€it,Ïthey€trembled€and€stood€afar€off.€19€Then€they€said€to€Moses,€"You€speak€with€us,€andÏwe€will€hear;€but€let€not€God€speak€with€us,€lest€we€die."€20€And€Moses€said€to€theÏpeople,€"Do€not€fear;€for€God€has€come€to€test€you,€and€that€His€fear€may€be€beforeÏyou,€so€that€you€may€not€sin."€21€So€the€people€stood€afar€off,€but€Moses€drew€nearÏthe€thick€darkness€where€God€was.€22€Then€the€LORD€said€to€Moses,€"Thus€youÏshall€say€to€the€children€of€Israel:€`You€have€seen€that€I€have€talked€with€you€fromÏheaven.€óóò òÌà àà àó óÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôò òà0 àDeuteronomy€5:22„31€ó óòò"These€words€the€LORD€spoke€to€all€your€assembly,€in€theÏmountain€from€the€midst€of€the€fire,€the€cloud,€and€the€thick€darkness,€with€a€loudÏvoice;€and€He€added€no€more.€And€He€wrote€them€on€two€tablets€of€stone€and€gaveÏthem€to€me.€23€"So€it€was,€when€you€heard€the€voice€from€the€midst€of€the€darkness,Ïwhile€the€mountain€was€burning€with€fire,€that€you€came€near€to€me,€all€the€heads€ofÏyour€tribes€and€your€elders.€24€"And€you€said:€`Surely€the€LORD€our€God€hasÏshown€us€His€glory€and€His€greatness,€and€we€have€heard€His€voice€from€the€midst€ofÏthe€fire.€We€have€seen€this€day€that€God€speaks€with€man;€yet€he€still€lives.€25€`NowÏtherefore,€why€should€we€die?€For€this€great€fire€will€consume€us;€if€we€hear€the€voiceÏof€the€LORD€our€God€anymore,€then€we€shall€die.€26€`For€who€is€there€of€all€flesh€whoÏhas€heard€the€voice€of€the€living€God€speaking€from€the€midst€of€the€fire,€as€we€have,Ïand€lived?€27€`You€go€near€and€hear€all€that€the€LORD€our€God€may€say,€and€tell€usÏall€that€the€LORD€our€God€says€to€you,€and€we€will€hear€and€do€it.'€28€"Then€theÏLORD€heard€the€voice€of€your€words€when€you€spoke€to€me,€and€the€LORD€said€toÏme:€`I€have€heard€the€voice€of€the€words€of€this€people€which€they€have€spoken€to€you.ÏThey€are€right€in€all€that€they€have€spoken.€29€`Oh,€that€they€had€such€a€heart€in€themÏthat€they€would€fear€Me€and€always€keep€all€My€commandments,€that€it€might€be€wellÏwith€them€and€with€their€children€forever!€30€`Go€and€say€to€them,€"Return€to€yourÏtents."€31€`But€as€for€you,€stand€here€by€Me,€and€I€will€speak€to€you€all€the€command…ments,€the€statutes,€and€the€judgments€which€you€shall€teach€them,€that€they€mayÏobserve€them€in€the€land€which€I€am€giving€them€to€possess.'óóò òÌó óà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àYet,€the€Bible€records€a€fewòò€imaginaryóó€conversations€which€God€had€with€hisÏpeople,€through€the€prophets.Ìà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThese€conversations€deal€withòò€misunderstandingsóó€of€His€will.Ìà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àAs€we€read€them€(from€the€ò òNew€King€James€versionó ó),€we€should€understandÏthat€these€conversations€were€recorded€to€help€us€conform€to€the€will€of€God.Ìà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àOur€thoughts€are€not€like€Godððs.€ò òIsaiah€55:6„11€ó óòòSeek€the€LORD€while€He€may€beÍfound,€Call€upon€Him€while€He€is€near.€7€Let€the€wicked€forsake€his€way,€And€theÏunrighteous€man€his€thoughts;€Let€him€return€to€the€LORD,€And€He€will€haveÏmercy€on€him;€And€to€our€God,€For€He€will€abundantly€pardon.€8€"For€My€thoughtsÏare€not€your€thoughts,€Nor€are€your€ways€My€ways,"€says€the€LORD.€9€"For€as€theÏheavens€are€higher€than€the€earth,€So€are€My€ways€higher€than€your€ways,€And€MyÏthoughts€than€your€thoughts.€10€"For€as€the€rain€comes€down,€and€the€snow€fromÏheaven,€And€do€not€return€there,€But€water€the€earth,€And€make€it€bring€forth€andÏbud,€That€it€may€give€seed€to€the€sower€And€bread€to€the€eater,€11€So€shall€My€wordÏbe€that€goes€forth€from€My€mouth;€It€shall€not€return€to€Me€void,€But€it€shallÏaccomplish€what€I€please,€And€it€shall€prosper€in€the€thing€for€which€I€sent€it.óóÌÌÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àLESSON„„€Ìà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àOur€first€example€of€Godððs€correction€of€a€misunderstanding€is€ò òEzekiel€18ó ó.€€€€€€Ïà àòòThe€word€of€the€LORD€came€to€me€again,€saying,€2€"What€do€you€mean€when€youÏuse€this€proverb€concerning€the€land€of€Israel,€saying:€`The€fathers€have€eaten€sourÏgrapes,€And€the€children's€teeth€are€set€on€edge'?€3€"As€I€live,"€says€the€Lord€GOD,Ï"you€shall€no€longer€use€this€proverb€in€Israel.€4€"Behold,€all€souls€are€Mine;€The€soul€ofÏthe€father€As€well€as€the€soul€of€the€son€is€Mine;€The€soul€who€sins€shall€die.€Ìà0 àà0 àà à5€But€if€a€man€is€just€And€does€what€is€lawful€and€right;€6€If€he€has€not€eaten€on€theÏmountains,€Nor€lifted€up€his€eyes€to€the€idols€of€the€house€of€Israel,€Nor€defiled€hisÏneighbor's€wife,€Nor€approached€a€woman€during€her€impurity;€7€If€he€has€not€oppressedÏanyone,€But€has€restored€to€the€debtor€his€pledge;€Has€robbed€no€one€by€violence,€But€hasÏgiven€his€bread€to€the€hungry€And€covered€the€naked€with€clothing;€8€If€he€has€notÏexacted€usury€Nor€taken€any€increase,€But€has€withdrawn€his€hand€from€iniquity€AndÏexecuted€true€judgment€between€man€and€man;€9€If€he€has€walked€in€My€statutes€AndÏkept€My€judgments€faithfully„„He€is€just;€He€shall€surely€live!"€Says€the€Lord€GOD.€€€Ïà à10€"If€he€begets€a€son€who€is€a€robber€Or€a€shedder€of€blood,€Who€does€any€of€theseÏthings€11€And€does€none€of€those€duties,€But€has€eaten€on€the€mountains€Or€defiled€hisÏneighbor's€wife;€12€If€he€has€oppressed€the€poor€and€needy,€Robbed€by€violence,€NotÏrestored€the€pledge,€Lifted€his€eyes€to€the€idols,€Or€committed€abomination;€13€If€he€hasÏexacted€usury€Or€taken€increase„„Shall€he€then€live?€He€shall€not€live!€If€he€has€done€anyÏof€these€abominations,€He€shall€surely€die;€His€blood€shall€be€upon€him.€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ïà à14€"If,€however,€he€begets€a€son€Who€sees€all€the€sins€which€his€father€has€done,€AndÏconsiders€but€does€not€do€likewise;€15€Who€has€not€eaten€on€the€mountains,€Nor€lifted€hisÏeyes€to€the€idols€of€the€house€of€Israel,€Nor€defiled€his€neighbor's€wife;€16€Has€not€op„pressed€anyone,€Nor€withheld€a€pledge,€Nor€robbed€by€violence,€But€has€given€his€breadÏto€the€hungry€And€covered€the€naked€with€clothing;€17€Who€has€withdrawn€his€handÏfrom€the€poor€And€not€received€usury€or€increase,€But€has€executed€My€judgments€AndÏwalked€in€My€statutes„„He€shall€not€die€for€the€iniquity€of€his€father;€He€shall€surely€live!€Ìà0 àà0 àà à18€"As€for€his€father,€Because€he€cruelly€oppressed,€Robbed€his€brother€by€violence,ÏAnd€did€what€is€not€good€among€his€people,€Behold,€he€shall€die€for€his€iniquity.€19€"YetÏyou€say,€`Why€should€the€son€not€bear€the€guilt€of€the€father?'€Because€the€son€has€doneÏwhat€is€lawful€and€right,€and€has€kept€all€My€statutes€and€observed€them,€he€shall€surelyÏlive.€20€"The€soul€who€sins€shall€die.€The€son€shall€not€bear€the€guilt€of€the€father,€nor€theÏfather€bear€the€guilt€of€the€son.€The€righteousness€of€the€righteous€shall€be€upon€himself,Ïand€the€wickedness€of€the€wicked€shall€be€upon€himself.€21€"But€if€a€wicked€man€turnsÏfrom€all€his€sins€which€he€has€committed,€keeps€all€My€statutes,€and€does€what€is€lawfulÍand€right,€he€shall€surely€live;€he€shall€not€die.€22€"None€of€the€transgressions€which€heÏhas€committed€shall€be€remembered€against€him;€because€of€the€righteousness€which€heÏhas€done,€he€shall€live.€23€"Do€I€have€any€pleasure€at€all€that€the€wicked€should€die?"€saysÏthe€Lord€GOD,€"and€not€that€he€should€turn€from€his€ways€and€live?€24€"But€when€aÏrighteous€man€turns€away€from€his€righteousness€and€commits€iniquity,€and€doesÏaccording€to€all€the€abominations€that€the€wicked€man€does,€shall€he€live?€All€theÏrighteousness€which€he€has€done€shall€not€be€remembered;€because€of€the€unfaithfulnessÏof€which€he€is€guilty€and€the€sin€which€he€has€committed,€because€of€them€he€shall€die.€€€Ïà à25€"Yet€you€say,€`The€way€of€the€Lord€is€not€fair.'€Hear€now,€O€house€of€Israel,€is€itÏnot€My€way€which€is€fair,€and€your€ways€which€are€not€fair?€26€"When€a€righteous€manÏturns€away€from€his€righteousness,€commits€iniquity,€and€dies€in€it,€it€is€because€of€theÏiniquity€which€he€has€done€that€he€dies.€27€"Again,€when€a€wicked€man€turns€away€fromÏthe€wickedness€which€he€committed,€and€does€what€is€lawful€and€right,€he€preservesÏhimself€alive.€28€"Because€he€considers€and€turns€away€from€all€the€transgressions€whichÏhe€committed,€he€shall€surely€live;€he€shall€not€die.€29€"Yet€the€house€of€Israel€says,€`TheÏway€of€the€Lord€is€not€fair.'€O€house€of€Israel,€is€it€not€My€ways€which€are€fair,€and€yourÏways€which€are€not€fair?€30€"Therefore€I€will€judge€you,€O€house€of€Israel,€every€oneÏaccording€to€his€ways,"€says€the€Lord€GOD.€"Repent,€and€turn€from€all€your€transgres…sions,€so€that€iniquity€will€not€be€your€ruin.€31€"Cast€away€from€you€all€the€transgres…sions€which€you€have€committed,€and€get€yourselves€a€new€heart€and€a€new€spirit.€ForÏwhy€should€you€die,€O€house€of€Israel?€32€"For€I€have€no€pleasure€in€the€death€of€oneÏwho€dies,"€says€the€Lord€GOD.€"Therefore€turn€and€live!"óóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€people€of€God€had€presumed€that€the€guilt€of€sin€could€be€passed€fromÏfather€to€son€(or€from€son€to€father).Ìà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThis€presumption€may€have€been€based€on€ò òExodus€20:4„6€ó óòò"You€shall€notÏmake€for€yourself€a€carved€image,€or€any€likeness€of€anything€that€is€in€heavenÏabove,€or€that€is€in€the€earth€beneath,€or€that€is€in€the€water€under€the€earth;€5Ïyou€shall€not€bow€down€to€them€nor€serve€them.€For€I,€the€LORD€your€God,€am€aÏjealous€God,€visiting€the€iniquity€of€the€fathers€on€the€children€to€the€third€andÏfourth€generations€of€those€who€hate€Me,€6€but€showing€mercy€to€thousands,€toÏthose€who€love€Me€and€keep€My€commandments.ððóó€(Proper€interpretation€ofÏthis€passage€reveals€that€the€iniquity€of€the€fathers€is€passed€on€to€hisÏchildren,€only€if€they€do€what€their€fathers€did,€and€imitate€them€inÏð ðhating€God.ðð)Ìà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThis€presumption€also€ignored€the€Law€of€Moses.€ò òDeuteronomy€24:16€ó óÏòò"Fathers€shall€not€be€put€to€death€for€their€children,€nor€shall€the€children€be€putÏto€death€for€their€fathers;€a€person€shall€be€put€to€death€for€his€own€sin.ððóó€(See€theÏapplication€of€this€law€by€King€Amaziah.€ò ò2€Kings€14:5„6ó ó)Ìà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àJesus€shows€that€children€are€born€in€innocence,€and€that€they€should€beÏimitated€in€that€innocence€and€humility.Ìà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òMatthew€18:1„7€ó óòòAt€that€time€the€disciples€came€to€Jesus,€saying,€"Who€then€isÏgreatest€in€the€kingdom€of€heaven?"€2€Then€Jesus€called€a€little€child€to€Him,€setÏhim€in€the€midst€of€them,€3€and€said,€"Assuredly,€I€say€to€you,€unless€you€areÏconverted€and€become€as€little€children,€you€will€by€no€means€enter€the€kingdomÏof€heaven.€4€"Therefore€whoever€humbles€himself€as€this€little€child€is€the€greatestÏin€the€kingdom€of€heaven.€5€"Whoever€receives€one€little€child€like€this€in€MyÏname€receives€Me.€6€"But€whoever€causes€one€of€these€little€ones€who€believe€inÍMe€to€sin,€it€would€be€better€for€him€if€a€millstone€were€hung€around€his€neck,Ïand€he€were€drowned€in€the€depth€of€the€sea.€7€"Woe€to€the€world€because€ofÏoffenses!€For€offenses€must€come,€but€woe€to€that€man€by€whom€the€offenseÏcomes!ððóóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òMatthew€19:13„14òò€ó óThen€little€children€were€brought€to€Him€that€He€might€putÏHis€hands€on€them€and€pray,€but€the€disciples€rebuked€them.€14€But€Jesus€said,Ï"Let€the€little€children€come€to€Me,€and€do€not€forbid€them;€for€of€such€is€theÏkingdom€of€heaven."óóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€guilt€of€sin€only€comes€to€those€capable€of€lust.€ò òJames€1:13„15€ó óòòLet€noÏone€say€when€he€is€tempted,€"I€am€tempted€by€God";€for€God€cannot€be€temptedÏby€evil,€nor€does€He€Himself€tempt€anyone.€14€But€each€one€is€tempted€when€he€isÏdrawn€away€by€his€own€desires€and€enticed.€15€Then,€when€desire€has€conceived,Ïit€gives€birth€to€sin;€and€sin,€when€it€is€full„grown,€brings€forth€death.óóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àTherefore,€the€doctrine€of€Inherited€Total€Depravity,€taught€by€Catholics,ÏCalvinists,€and€many€Evangelicals,€is€an€error.Ìà àÌà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àOur€second€conversation€is€found€in€ò òEzekiel€33:7„20€ó óòò"So€you,€son€of€man:€I€haveÏmade€you€a€watchman€for€the€house€of€Israel;€therefore€you€shall€hear€a€word€from€MyÏmouth€and€warn€them€for€Me.€8€"When€I€say€to€the€wicked,€`O€wicked€man,€you€shallÏsurely€die!'€and€you€do€not€speak€to€warn€the€wicked€from€his€way,€that€wicked€man€shallÏdie€in€his€iniquity;€but€his€blood€I€will€require€at€your€hand.€9€"Nevertheless€if€you€warnÏthe€wicked€to€turn€from€his€way,€and€he€does€not€turn€from€his€way,€he€shall€die€in€hisÏiniquity;€but€you€have€delivered€your€soul.€Ìà0 àà0 àà à10€"Therefore€you,€O€son€of€man,€say€to€the€house€of€Israel:€`Thus€you€say,€"If€ourÏtransgressions€and€our€sins€lie€upon€us,€and€we€pine€away€in€them,€how€can€we€thenÏlive?"'€11€"Say€to€them:€`As€I€live,'€says€the€Lord€GOD,€`I€have€no€pleasure€in€the€deathÏof€the€wicked,€but€that€the€wicked€turn€from€his€way€and€live.€Turn,€turn€from€your€evilÏways!€For€why€should€you€die,€O€house€of€Israel?'€12€"Therefore€you,€O€son€of€man,€sayÏto€the€children€of€your€people:€`The€righteousness€of€the€righteous€man€shall€not€deliverÏhim€in€the€day€of€his€transgression;€as€for€the€wickedness€of€the€wicked,€he€shall€not€fallÏbecause€of€it€in€the€day€that€he€turns€from€his€wickedness;€nor€shall€the€righteous€be€ableÏto€live€because€of€his€righteousness€in€the€day€that€he€sins.'€13€"When€I€say€to€theÏrighteous€that€he€shall€surely€live,€but€he€trusts€in€his€own€righteousness€and€commitsÏiniquity,€none€of€his€righteous€works€shall€be€remembered;€but€because€of€the€iniquityÏthat€he€has€committed,€he€shall€die.€14€"Again,€when€I€say€to€the€wicked,€`You€shallÏsurely€die,'€if€he€turns€from€his€sin€and€does€what€is€lawful€and€right,€15€"if€the€wickedÏrestores€the€pledge,€gives€back€what€he€has€stolen,€and€walks€in€the€statutes€of€lifeÏwithout€committing€iniquity,€he€shall€surely€live;€he€shall€not€die.€16€"None€of€his€sinsÏwhich€he€has€committed€shall€be€remembered€against€him;€he€has€done€what€is€lawful€andÏright;€he€shall€surely€live.€17€"Yet€the€children€of€your€people€say,€`The€way€of€the€LORDÏis€not€fair.'€But€it€is€their€way€which€is€not€fair!€18€"When€the€righteous€turns€from€hisÏrighteousness€and€commits€iniquity,€he€shall€die€because€of€it.€19€"But€when€the€wickedÏturns€from€his€wickedness€and€does€what€is€lawful€and€right,€he€shall€live€because€of€it.Ï20€"Yet€you€say,€`The€way€of€the€LORD€is€not€fair.'€O€house€of€Israel,€I€will€judge€everyÏone€of€you€according€to€his€own€ways."óóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€first€misunderstanding€in€this€passage€was€based€on€the€reluctance€ofÏGodððs€people€to€warn€to€wicked.€ò òVs.€8„9ó óÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àIt€is€every€Christianððs€duty€to€warn€sinners.€Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òGalatians€6:1€ó óòòBrethren,€if€a€man€is€overtaken€in€any€trespass,€you€who€areÏspiritual€restore€such€a€one€in€a€spirit€of€gentleness,€considering€yourself€lestÏyou€also€be€tempted.óóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òJames€5:19„20€ó óòòBrethren,€if€anyone€among€you€wanders€from€the€truth,€andÏsomeone€turns€him€back,€20€let€him€know€that€he€who€turns€a€sinner€from€theÏerror€of€his€way€will€save€a€soul€from€death€and€cover€a€multitude€of€sins.óóÏ(Compare€ò òJames€4:17ó ó.)Ìà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àIt€is€the€duty€both€of€the€offender,€and€the€offended,€to€begin€the€processÏof€reconciliation.Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òMatthew€5:23„24€ó óòò"Therefore€if€you€bring€your€gift€to€the€altar,€and€thereÏremember€that€your€brother€has€something€against€you,€24€leave€your€giftÏthere€before€the€altar,€and€go€your€way.€First€be€reconciled€to€your€brother,Ïand€then€come€and€offer€your€gift.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òMatthew€18:15€ó óòò"Moreover€if€your€brother€sins€against€you,€go€and€tell€himÏhis€fault€between€you€and€him€alone.€If€he€hears€you,€you€have€gained€yourÏbrother.ððóóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€second€misunderstanding€has€to€do€with€enforcing€the€need€for€repen…tance€on€sinners.€ò òVs.€10„20ó óÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àMen€often€justify€themselves,€short€of€repentance,€and€need€correction.Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àRighteous€Job€complained€to€God€about€his€misfortune,€and€GodÏanswered€with€a€rebuke.€ò òJob€40:1„14€ó óòòMoreover€the€LORD€answered€Job,Ïand€said:€2€"Shall€the€one€who€contends€with€the€Almighty€correct€Him?€HeÏwho€rebukes€God,€let€him€answer€it."€3€Then€Job€answered€the€LORD€andÏsaid:€4€"Behold,€I€am€vile;€What€shall€I€answer€You?€I€lay€my€hand€over€myÏmouth.€5€Once€I€have€spoken,€but€I€will€not€answer;€Yes,€twice,€but€I€willÏproceed€no€further."€6€Then€the€LORD€answered€Job€out€of€the€whirlwind,Ïand€said:€7€"Now€prepare€yourself€like€a€man;€I€will€question€you,€and€youÏshall€answer€Me:€8€"Would€you€indeed€annul€My€judgment?€Would€youÏcondemn€Me€that€you€may€be€justified?€9€Have€you€an€arm€like€God?€Or€canÏyou€thunder€with€a€voice€like€His?€10€Then€adorn€yourself€with€majesty€andÏsplendor,€and€array€yourself€with€glory€and€beauty.€11€Disperse€the€rage€ofÏyour€wrath;€Look€on€everyone€who€is€proud,€and€humble€him.€12€Look€onÏeveryone€who€is€proud,€and€bring€him€low;€Tread€down€the€wicked€in€theirÏplace.€13€Hide€them€in€the€dust€together,€Bind€their€faces€in€hidden€darkness.Ï14€Then€I€will€also€confess€to€you€That€your€own€right€hand€can€save€you.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€workers€in€the€vineyard,€on€the€other€hand,€complained€about€theÏultra„generous€mercy€of€God.€ò òMatthew€20:1„15€ó óòò"For€the€kingdom€ofÏheaven€is€like€a€landowner€who€went€out€early€in€the€morning€to€hire€laborersÏfor€his€vineyard.€2€"Now€when€he€had€agreed€with€the€laborers€for€a€denariusÏa€day,€he€sent€them€into€his€vineyard.€3€"And€he€went€out€about€the€thirdÏhour€and€saw€others€standing€idle€in€the€marketplace,€4€"and€said€to€them,Ï`You€also€go€into€the€vineyard,€and€whatever€is€right€I€will€give€you.'€So€theyÏwent.€5€"Again€he€went€out€about€the€sixth€and€the€ninth€hour,€and€didÏlikewise.€6€"And€about€the€eleventh€hour€he€went€out€and€found€othersÏstanding€idle,€and€said€to€them,€`Why€have€you€been€standing€here€idle€allÏday?'€7€"They€said€to€him,€`Because€no€one€hired€us.'€He€said€to€them,€`YouÍalso€go€into€the€vineyard,€and€whatever€is€right€you€will€receive.'€8€"So€whenÏevening€had€come,€the€owner€of€the€vineyard€said€to€his€steward,€`Call€theÏlaborers€and€give€them€their€wages,€beginning€with€the€last€to€the€first.'€9Ï"And€when€those€came€who€were€hired€about€the€eleventh€hour,€they€eachÏreceived€a€denarius.€10€"But€when€the€first€came,€they€supposed€that€theyÏwould€receive€more;€and€they€likewise€received€each€a€denarius.€11€"AndÏwhen€they€had€received€it,€they€complained€against€the€landowner,€12Ï"saying,€`These€last€men€have€worked€only€one€hour,€and€you€made€themÏequal€to€us€who€have€borne€the€burden€and€the€heat€of€the€day.'€13€"But€heÏanswered€one€of€them€and€said,€`Friend,€I€am€doing€you€no€wrong.€Did€youÏnot€agree€with€me€for€a€denarius?€14€`Take€what€is€yours€and€go€your€way.€IÏwish€to€give€to€this€last€man€the€same€as€to€you.€15€`Is€it€not€lawful€for€me€toÏdo€what€I€wish€with€my€own€things?€Or€is€your€eye€evil€because€I€am€good?'ððÌóóà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€ð ðone€talent€manðð€presumed€that€preservation€of€the€Lordððs€talentÏwas€all€that€was€required€of€him,€in€view€of€his€masterððs€austerity.Ïò òMatthew€25:24„30€ó óòò"Then€he€who€had€received€the€one€talent€came€and€said,Ï`Lord,€I€knew€you€to€be€a€hard€man,€reaping€where€you€have€not€sown,€andÏgathering€where€you€have€not€scattered€seed.€25€`And€I€was€afraid,€and€wentÏand€hid€your€talent€in€the€ground.€Look,€there€you€have€what€is€yours.'€26Ï"But€his€lord€answered€and€said€to€him,€`You€wicked€and€lazy€servant,€youÏknew€that€I€reap€where€I€have€not€sown,€and€gather€where€I€have€notÏscattered€seed.€27€`So€you€ought€to€have€deposited€my€money€with€theÏbankers,€and€at€my€coming€I€would€have€received€back€my€own€with€interest.Ï28€`Therefore€take€the€talent€from€him,€and€give€it€to€him€who€has€ten€talents.Ï29€`For€to€everyone€who€has,€more€will€be€given,€and€he€will€have€abundance;Ïbut€from€him€who€does€not€have,€even€what€he€has€will€be€taken€away.€30Ï`And€cast€the€unprofitable€servant€into€the€outer€darkness.€There€will€beÏweeping€and€gnashing€of€teeth.'ðð€óó(Compare€ò òLuke€19:20„26ó ó.)Ìà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àIt€is€foolish€bravery€to€question€the€wisdom€of€Godððs€judgments.€Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òRomans€9:17„21€ó óòòFor€the€Scripture€says€to€Pharaoh,€"For€this€very€purpose€IÏhave€raised€you€up,€that€I€may€show€My€power€in€you,€and€that€My€nameÏmay€be€declared€in€all€the€earth."€18€Therefore€He€has€mercy€on€whom€HeÏwills,€and€whom€He€wills€He€hardens.€19€You€will€say€to€me€then,€"Why€doesÏHe€still€find€fault?€For€who€has€resisted€His€will?"€20€But€indeed,€O€man,Ïwho€are€you€to€reply€against€God?€Will€the€thing€formed€say€to€him€whoÏformed€it,€"Why€have€you€made€me€like€this?"€21€Does€not€the€potter€haveÏpower€over€the€clay,€from€the€samóóeòò€lump€to€make€one€vessel€for€honor€andÏanother€for€dishonor?óóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò ò1€Corinthians€2:14„16€ó óòòBut€the€natural€man€does€not€receive€the€things€of€theÏSpirit€of€God,€for€they€are€foolishness€to€him;€nor€can€he€know€them,€becauseÏthey€are€spiritually€discerned.€15€But€he€who€is€spiritual€judges€all€things,€yetÏhe€himself€is€rightly€judged€by€no€one.€16€For€"who€has€known€the€mind€of€theÏLORD€that€he€may€instruct€Him?"€But€we€have€the€mind€of€Christ.óóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àPeople€fail€to€learn€the€true€source€of€justification.€ò òLuke€16:13„15€ó óòò€"NoÏservant€can€serve€two€masters;€for€either€he€will€hate€the€one€and€love€the€other,Ïor€else€he€will€be€loyal€to€the€one€and€despise€the€other.€You€cannot€serve€God€andÏmammon."€14€Now€the€Pharisees,€who€were€lovers€of€money,€also€heard€all€theseÍthings,€and€they€derided€Him.€15€And€He€said€to€them,€"You€are€those€whoÏjustify€yourselves€before€men,€but€God€knows€your€hearts.€For€what€is€highlyÏesteemed€among€men€is€an€abomination€in€the€sight€of€God.ððóóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€òòTreasury€of€Scripture€Knowledgeóó€comments€on€Ezekiel€33€this€way,€Ìà àà àà0 àòòð ðThe€impenitent€Jews€seem€to€have€charged€the€prophet's€messages€with€inconsisten…cy,€€for€whilst€he€warned€them€to€repent,€and€assured€the€penitent€of€forgiveness,€heÏalso€predicted€that€the€people€"would€pine€away€in€their€transgressions."€€TheÏprediction,€however,€merely€implied€that€God€foresaw€that€the€people€in€generalÏwould€be€impenitent,€though€some€individuals€would€repent€and€be€pardoned.ððÌóóà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àRepentance€is€an€essential€element€in€obtaining€salvation.Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òActs€17:30„31€ó óòò"Truly,€these€times€of€ignorance€God€overlooked,€but€nowÏcommands€all€men€everywhere€to€repent,€31€"because€He€has€appointed€a€dayÏon€which€He€will€judge€the€world€in€righteousness€by€the€Man€whom€He€hasÏordained.€He€has€given€assurance€of€this€to€all€by€raising€Him€from€the€dead."óóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò ò2€Peter€3:9€ó óòòð ðThe€Lord€is€not€slack€concerning€His€promise,€as€some€countÏslackness,€but€is€longsuffering€toward€us,€not€willing€that€any€should€perishÏbut€that€all€should€come€to€repentance.ððóóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThough€we€should€ð ðconsider€that€the€longsuffering€of€our€Lord€isÏsalvationðð€(ò ò2€Peter€3:14ó ó),€we€should€not€presume€that€it€will€last€forever.Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThis€was€the€message€sent€through€Ezekiel€in€the€context€of€theÏpassage€above€(Section€II.,€B.).€ò òEzekiel€33:21„29€ó óòòAnd€it€came€to€pass€inÏthe€twelfth€year€of€our€captivity,€in€the€tenth€month,€on€the€fifth€day€of€theÏmonth,€that€one€who€had€escaped€from€Jerusalem€came€to€me€and€said,€"TheÏcity€has€been€captured!"€22€Now€the€hand€of€the€LORD€had€been€upon€meÏthe€evening€before€the€man€came€who€had€escaped.€And€He€had€opened€myÏmouth;€so€when€he€came€to€me€in€the€morning,€my€mouth€was€opened,€and€IÏwas€no€longer€mute.€23€Then€the€word€of€the€LORD€came€to€me,€saying:€24Ï"Son€of€man,€they€who€inhabit€those€ruins€in€the€land€of€Israel€are€saying,Ï`Abraham€was€only€one,€and€he€inherited€the€land.€But€we€are€many;€the€landÏhas€been€given€to€us€as€a€possession.'€25€"Therefore€say€to€them,€`Thus€saysÏthe€Lord€GOD:€"You€eat€meat€with€blood,€you€lift€up€your€eyes€toward€yourÏidols,€and€shed€blood.€Should€you€then€possess€the€land?€26€"You€rely€onÏyour€sword,€you€commit€abominations,€and€you€defile€one€another's€wives.ÏShould€you€then€possess€the€land?"'€27€"Say€thus€to€them,€`Thus€says€theÏLord€GOD:€"As€I€live,€surely€those€who€are€in€the€ruins€shall€fall€by€theÏsword,€and€the€one€who€is€in€the€open€field€I€will€give€to€the€beasts€to€beÏdevoured,€and€those€who€are€in€the€strongholds€and€caves€shall€die€of€theÏpestilence.€28€"For€I€will€make€the€land€most€desolate,€her€arrogant€strengthÏshall€cease,€and€the€mountains€of€Israel€shall€be€so€desolate€that€no€one€willÏpass€through.€29€"Then€they€shall€know€that€I€am€the€LORD,€when€I€haveÏmade€the€land€most€desolate€because€of€all€their€abominations€which€they€haveÏcommitted."'€óó(Compare€Vs.€24€to€ò òMatthew€3:7„9ó ó.)Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThese€Israelites€did€not€realize€that€Godððs€longsuffering€was€exhausted.Ïò ò2€Chronicles€36:11„17€ó óòòð ðZedekiah€was€twenty„one€years€old€when€he€becameÏking,€and€he€reigned€eleven€years€in€Jerusalem.€12€He€did€evil€in€the€sight€ofÏthe€LORD€his€God,€and€did€not€humble€himself€before€Jeremiah€the€prophet,Ïwho€spoke€from€the€mouth€of€the€LORD.€13€And€he€also€rebelled€against€KingÍNebuchadnezzar,€who€had€made€him€swear€an€oath€by€God;€but€he€stiffenedÏhis€neck€and€hardened€his€heart€against€turning€to€the€LORD€God€of€Israel.Ï14€Moreover€all€the€leaders€of€the€priests€and€the€people€transgressed€moreÏand€more,€according€to€all€the€abominations€of€the€nations,€and€defiled€theÏhouse€of€the€LORD€which€He€had€consecrated€in€Jerusalem.€15€And€theÏLORD€God€of€their€fathers€sent€warnings€to€them€by€His€messengers,€risingÏup€early€and€sending€them,€because€He€had€compassion€on€His€people€and€onÏHis€dwelling€place.€16€But€they€mocked€the€messengers€of€God,€despised€HisÏwords,€and€scoffed€at€His€prophets,€until€the€wrath€of€the€LORD€arose€againstÏHis€people,€till€there€was€no€remedy.€17€Therefore€He€brought€against€themÏthe€king€of€the€Chaldeans,€who€killed€their€young€men€with€the€sword€in€theÏhouse€of€their€sanctuary,€and€had€no€compassion€on€young€man€or€virgin,€onÏthe€aged€or€the€weak;€He€gave€them€all€into€his€hand.ððóóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àLack€of€repentance€was€a€continuing€trait€of€the€Jews,€even€into€the€timesÏof€the€Apostles.€ò òRomans€2:1„11òò€ó óTherefore€you€are€inexcusable,€O€man,Ïwhoever€you€are€who€judge,€for€in€whatever€you€judge€another€you€condemnÏyourself;€for€you€who€judge€practice€the€same€things.€2€But€we€know€that€theÏjudgment€of€God€is€according€to€truth€against€those€who€practice€such€things.€3ÏAnd€do€you€think€this,€O€man,€you€who€judge€those€practicing€such€things,€andÏdoing€the€same,€that€you€will€escape€the€judgment€of€God?€4€Or€do€you€despiseÏthe€riches€of€His€goodness,€forbearance,€and€longsuffering,€not€knowing€that€theÏgoodness€of€God€leads€you€to€repentance?€5€But€in€accordance€with€yourÏhardness€and€your€impenitent€heart€you€are€treasuring€up€for€yourself€wrath€inÏthe€day€of€wrath€and€revelation€of€the€righteous€judgment€of€God,€6€who€"willÏrender€to€each€one€according€to€his€deeds":€7€eternal€life€to€those€who€by€patientÏcontinuance€in€doing€good€seek€for€glory,€honor,€and€immortality;€8€but€to€thoseÏwho€are€self„seeking€and€do€not€obey€the€truth,€but€obey€unrighteousness„„indignation€and€wrath,€9€tribulation€and€anguish,€on€every€soul€of€man€who€doesÏevil,€of€the€Jew€first€and€also€of€the€Greek;€10€but€glory,€honor,€and€peace€toÏeveryone€who€works€what€is€good,€to€the€Jew€first€and€also€to€the€Greek.€11€ForÏthere€is€no€partiality€with€God.óóÌÌà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àOur€third€conversation€is€found€in€Godððs€indictment€of€the€priests€of€Israel€in€theÏperiod€after€their€return€from€captivity€in€Persia.There€are€several€examples€ofÏmisapprehension€on€the€part€of€the€priests€to€be€found€in€ò òMalachi€1:1„4:6.ó óÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€first€was€their€failure€to€appreciate€the€evidence€of€Godððs€love€for€Israel.Ïò òVs.€1:1„5€ó óòò€The€burden€of€the€word€of€the€LORD€to€Israel€by€Malachi.€2€"I€have€lovedÏyou,"€says€the€LORD.€"Yet€you€say,€`In€what€way€have€You€loved€us?'€Was€notÏEsau€Jacob's€brother?"€Says€the€LORD.€"Yet€Jacob€I€have€loved;€3€But€Esau€I€haveÏhated,€And€laid€waste€his€mountains€and€his€heritage€For€the€jackals€of€the€wilder…ness."€4€Even€though€Edom€has€said,€"We€have€been€impoverished,€But€we€willÏreturn€and€build€the€desolate€places,"€Thus€says€the€LORD€of€hosts:€"They€mayÏbuild,€but€I€will€throw€down;€They€shall€be€called€the€Territory€of€Wickedness,€AndÏthe€people€against€whom€the€LORD€will€have€indignation€forever.€5€Your€eyes€shallÏsee,€And€you€shall€say,€`The€LORD€is€magnified€beyond€the€border€of€Israel.'€óóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€work€that€a€loving€God€had€done€in€saving€Israel,€and€making€themÏsecure€in€their€homeland,€was€often€forgotten.€Compare€ò òPsalm€78ó ó.Ìà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€works€of€God€in€saving€us€from€our€sins€should€make€us€appreciateÏthe€love€of€God.ò òRomans€5:1„8€ó óòò€ð ðTherefore,€having€been€justified€by€faith,€weÏhave€peace€with€God€through€our€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€2€through€whom€also€weÏhave€access€by€faith€into€this€grace€in€which€we€stand,€and€rejoice€in€hope€of€theÏglory€of€God.€3€And€not€only€that,€but€we€also€glory€in€tribulations,€knowing€thatÏtribulation€produces€perseverance;€4€and€perseverance,€character;€and€character,Ïhope.€5€Now€hope€does€not€disappoint,€because€the€love€of€God€has€been€pouredÏout€in€our€hearts€by€the€Holy€Spirit€who€was€given€to€us.€6€For€when€we€wereÏstill€without€strength,€in€due€time€Christ€died€for€the€ungodly.€7€For€scarcely€forÏa€righteous€man€will€one€die;€yet€perhaps€for€a€good€man€someone€would€evenÏdare€to€die.€8€But€God€demonstrates€His€own€love€toward€us,€in€that€while€weÏwere€still€sinners,€Christ€died€for€us.ððÌóóà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€second€was€a€failure€to€bring€God€an€offering€that€showed€a€respect€forÏHis€ability€to€discern€our€motives.€ò òVs.€€1:6„14ó ó€òò€"A€son€honors€his€father,€And€aÏservant€his€master.€If€then€I€am€the€Father,€Where€is€My€honor?€And€if€I€am€aÏMaster,€Where€is€My€reverence?€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts€To€you€priests€who€despiseÏMy€name.€Yet€you€say,€`In€what€way€have€we€despised€Your€name?'€7€"You€offerÏdefiled€food€on€My€altar.€But€say,€`In€what€way€have€we€defiled€You?'€By€saying,Ï`The€table€of€the€LORD€is€contemptible.'€8€And€when€you€offer€the€blind€as€aÏsacrifice,€Is€it€not€evil?€And€when€you€offer€the€lame€and€sick,€Is€it€not€evil?€Offer€itÏthen€to€your€governor!€Would€he€be€pleased€with€you?€Would€he€accept€youÏfavorably?"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts.€9€"But€now€entreat€God's€favor,€That€He€mayÏbe€gracious€to€us.€While€this€is€being€done€by€your€hands,€Will€He€accept€youÏfavorably?"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts.€10€"Who€is€there€even€among€you€who€wouldÏshut€the€doors,€So€that€you€would€not€kindle€fire€on€My€altar€in€vain?€I€have€noÏpleasure€in€you,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts,€"Nor€will€I€accept€an€offering€from€yourÏhands.€11€For€from€the€rising€of€the€sun,€even€to€its€going€down,€My€name€shall€beÏgreat€among€the€Gentiles;€In€every€place€incense€shall€be€offered€to€My€name,€And€aÏpure€offering;€For€My€name€shall€be€great€among€the€nations,"€Says€the€LORD€ofÏhosts.€12€"But€you€profane€it,€In€that€you€say,€`The€table€of€the€LORD€is€defiled;€AndÏits€fruit,€its€food,€is€contemptible.'€13€You€also€say,€`Oh,€what€a€weariness!'€And€youÏsneer€at€it,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts.€"And€you€bring€the€stolen,€the€lame,€and€theÏsick;€Thus€you€bring€an€offering!€Should€I€accept€this€from€your€hand?"€Says€theÏLORD.€14€"But€cursed€be€the€deceiver€Who€has€in€his€flock€a€male,€And€takes€a€vow,ÏBut€sacrifices€to€the€Lord€what€is€blemished„„For€I€am€a€great€King,"€Says€the€LORDÏof€hosts,€"And€My€name€is€to€be€feared€among€the€nations.ððóóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€offering€of€blemished€animals€was€forbidden€by€the€Law€of€Moses.Ïò òLeviticus€22:18„25€ó óòò€"Speak€to€Aaron€and€his€sons,€and€to€all€the€children€ofÏIsrael,€and€say€to€them:€`Whatever€man€of€the€house€of€Israel,€or€of€the€strangersÏin€Israel,€who€offers€his€sacrifice€for€any€of€his€vows€or€for€any€of€his€freewillÏofferings,€which€they€offer€to€the€LORD€as€a€burnt€offering„„€19€`you€shall€offer€ofÏyour€own€free€will€a€male€without€blemish€from€the€cattle,€from€the€sheep,€or€fromÏthe€goats.€20€`Whatever€has€a€defect,€you€shall€not€offer,€for€it€shall€not€beÏacceptable€on€your€behalf.€21€`And€whoever€offers€a€sacrifice€of€a€peace€offering€toÏthe€LORD,€to€fulfill€his€vow,€or€a€freewill€offering€from€the€cattle€or€the€sheep,€itÏmust€be€perfect€to€be€accepted;€there€shall€be€no€defect€in€it.€22€`Those€that€areÏblind€or€broken€or€maimed,€or€have€an€ulcer€or€eczema€or€scabs,€you€shall€not€offerÍto€the€LORD,€nor€make€an€offering€by€fire€of€them€on€the€altar€to€the€LORD.€23Ï`Either€a€bull€or€a€lamb€that€has€any€limb€too€long€or€too€short€you€may€offer€as€aÏfreewill€offering,€but€for€a€vow€it€shall€not€be€accepted.€24€`You€shall€not€offer€toÏthe€LORD€what€is€bruised€or€crushed,€or€torn€or€cut;€nor€shall€you€make€anyÏoffering€of€them€in€your€land.€25€`Nor€from€a€foreigner's€hand€shall€you€offer€anyÏof€these€as€the€bread€of€your€God,€because€their€corruption€is€in€them,€and€defectsÏare€in€them.€They€shall€not€be€accepted€on€your€behalf.'"óóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€responses€of€the€priests€show€the€attitudes€which€make€worship€vain.Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThey€profaned€the€table€of€the€Lord.€Ìà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€basic€definition€of€the€word,€ð ðprofane,ðð€as€found€in€the€Bible€is:Ïð ðTo€cross€the€threshold,ðð€or€to€go€beyond€what€is€acceptable.€Ìà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThis€type€of€profanity€is€seen€in€Esauððs€foolish€sale€of€his€birthright.Ïò òHebrews€12:14„17€ó óòòð ðPursue€peace€with€all€people,€and€holiness,€withoutÏwhich€no€one€will€see€the€Lord:€15€looking€carefully€lest€anyone€fall€shortÏof€the€grace€of€God;€lest€any€root€of€bitterness€springing€up€cause€trouble,Ïand€by€this€many€become€defiled;€16€lest€there€be€any€fornicator€or€profaneÏperson€like€Esau,€who€for€one€morsel€of€food€sold€his€birthright.€17€For€youÏknow€that€afterward,€when€he€wanted€to€inherit€the€blessing,€he€wasÏrejected,€for€he€found€no€place€for€repentance,€though€he€sought€itÏdiligently€with€tears.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThey€were€bored€with€the€need€to€worship€God€correctly.Ìà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€generation€of€Malachi€was€not€the€first€to€grow€weary€ofÏserving€the€Lord.€ò òMatthew€13:10„15€ó óòò€ð ðAnd€the€disciples€came€and€saidÏto€Him,€"Why€do€You€speak€to€them€in€parables?"€11€He€answered€andÏsaid€to€them,€"Because€it€has€been€given€to€you€to€know€the€mysteries€ofÏthe€kingdom€of€heaven,€but€to€them€it€has€not€been€given.€12€"ForÏwhoever€has,€to€him€more€will€be€given,€and€he€will€have€abundance;€butÏwhoever€does€not€have,€even€what€he€has€will€be€taken€away€from€him.€13Ï"Therefore€I€speak€to€them€in€parables,€because€seeing€they€do€not€see,€andÏhearing€they€do€not€hear,€nor€do€they€understand.€14€"And€in€them€theÏprophecy€of€Isaiah€is€fulfilled,€which€says:€`Hearing€you€will€hear€and€shallÏnot€understand,€And€seeing€you€will€see€and€not€perceive;€15€For€theÏhearts€of€this€people€have€grown€dull.€Their€ears€are€hard€of€hearing,€AndÏtheir€eyes€they€have€closed,€Lest€they€should€see€with€their€eyes€and€hearÏwith€their€ears,€Lest€they€should€understand€with€their€hearts€and€turn,ÏSo€that€I€should€heal€them.'ððóó€(Compare€ò òIsaiah€6:8„12ó ó.)Ìà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òGalatians€6:7„9òò€ó óð ðDo€not€be€deceived,€God€is€not€mocked;€for€whatever€aÏman€sows,€that€he€will€also€reap.€8€For€he€who€sows€to€his€flesh€will€of€theÏflesh€reap€corruption,€but€he€who€sows€to€the€Spirit€will€of€the€Spirit€reapÏeverlasting€life.€9€And€let€us€not€grow€weary€while€doing€good,€for€in€dueÏseason€we€shall€reap€if€we€do€not€lose€heart.ððóó(See€ò ò2€Thessalonians€3:13ó ó.)Ìà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àGod€reveals€through€Malachi€that€he€will€seek€Gentiles€who€will€give€himÏthe€proper€respect€in€their€offerings.€Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àSeveral€prophecies€speak€of€the€enfranchisement€of€the€Gentiles€underÏthe€New€Covenant,€such€as€ò òIsaiah€49:5„6ó ó.€5òò€"And€now€the€LORD€says,ÏWho€formed€Me€from€the€womb€to€be€His€Servant,€To€bring€Jacob€back€toÏHim,€So€that€Israel€is€gathered€to€Him€(For€I€shall€be€glorious€in€the€eyes€ofÍthe€LORD,€And€My€God€shall€be€My€strength),€6€Indeed€He€says,€`It€is€tooÏsmall€a€thing€that€You€should€be€My€Servant€To€raise€up€the€tribes€of€Jacob,ÏAnd€to€restore€the€preserved€ones€of€Israel;€I€will€also€give€You€as€a€light€toÏthe€Gentiles,€That€You€should€be€My€salvation€to€the€ends€of€the€earth.'"óóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€response€of€the€Gentiles€to€the€Gospel€was€exactly€what€GodÏexpected.€ò òActs€13:44„48€ó óòòð ðOn€the€next€Sabbath€almost€the€whole€city€cameÏtogether€to€hear€the€word€of€God.€45€But€when€the€Jews€saw€the€multitudes,Ïthey€were€filled€with€envy;€and€contradicting€and€blaspheming,€they€opposedÏthe€things€spoken€by€Paul.€46€Then€Paul€and€Barnabas€grew€bold€and€said,Ï"It€was€necessary€that€the€word€of€God€should€be€spoken€to€you€first;€butÏsince€you€reject€it,€and€judge€yourselves€unworthy€of€everlasting€life,€behold,Ïwe€turn€to€the€Gentiles.€47€"For€so€the€Lord€has€commanded€us:€`I€have€setÏyou€as€a€light€to€the€Gentiles,€That€you€should€be€for€salvation€to€the€ends€ofÏthe€earth.'"€48€Now€when€the€Gentiles€heard€this,€they€were€glad€andÏglorified€the€word€of€the€Lord.€And€as€many€as€had€been€appointed€to€eternalÏlife€believed.ððóóÌà àà0 àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€third€example€was€the€failure€of€the€priests€to€walk€in€the€ways€andÏcovenant€of€their€forefather,€Levi.€ò òVs.€2:1„9ó ó€òò€"And€now,€O€priests,€this€command…ment€is€for€you.€2€If€you€will€not€hear,€And€if€you€will€not€take€it€to€heart,€To€giveÏglory€to€My€name,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts,€"I€will€send€a€curse€upon€you,€And€IÏwill€curse€your€blessings.€Yes,€I€have€cursed€them€already,€Because€you€do€not€take€itÏto€heart.€3€"Behold,€I€will€rebuke€your€descendants€And€spread€refuse€on€your€faces,ÏThe€refuse€of€your€solemn€feasts;€And€one€will€take€you€away€with€it.€4€Then€youÏshall€know€that€I€have€sent€this€commandment€to€you,€That€My€covenant€with€LeviÏmay€continue,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts.€5€"My€covenant€was€with€him,€one€of€lifeÏand€peace,€And€I€gave€them€to€him€that€he€might€fear€Me;€So€he€feared€Me€And€wasÏreverent€before€My€name.€6€The€law€of€truth€was€in€his€mouth,€And€injustice€wasÏnot€found€on€his€lips.€He€walked€with€Me€in€peace€and€equity,€And€turned€manyÏaway€from€iniquity.€7€"For€the€lips€of€a€priest€should€keep€knowledge,€And€peopleÏshould€seek€the€law€from€his€mouth;€For€he€is€the€messenger€of€the€LORD€of€hosts.€8ÏBut€you€have€departed€from€the€way;€You€have€caused€many€to€stumble€at€the€law.ÏYou€have€corrupted€the€covenant€of€Levi,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts.€9€"Therefore€IÏalso€have€made€you€contemptible€and€base€Before€all€the€people,€Because€you€have€notÏkept€My€ways€But€have€shown€partiality€in€the€law."€óóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThere€were€several€periods€during€the€history€of€Israel€in€which€theÏpriests€failed€to€present€a€worthy€model€of€righteousness€for€the€people.Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àIn€the€days€of€Samuelððs€youth,€the€sons€of€Eli€implicated€their€father€byÏtheir€wickedness.€ò ò1€Samuel€2:12„17,€22„30€ó ó€òòNow€the€sons€of€Eli€wereÏcorrupt;€they€did€not€know€the€LORD.€13€And€the€priests'€custom€with€theÏpeople€was€that€when€any€man€offered€a€sacrifice,€the€priest's€servant€wouldÏcome€with€a€three„pronged€fleshhook€in€his€hand€while€the€meat€was€boiling.Ï14€Then€he€would€thrust€it€into€the€pan,€or€kettle,€or€caldron,€or€pot;€and€theÏpriest€would€take€for€himself€all€that€the€fleshhook€brought€up.€So€they€did€inÏShiloh€to€all€the€Israelites€who€came€there.€15€Also,€before€they€burned€the€fat,Ïthe€priest's€servant€would€come€and€say€to€the€man€who€sacrificed,€"GiveÏmeat€for€roasting€to€the€priest,€for€he€will€not€take€boiled€meat€from€you,€butÏraw."€16€And€if€the€man€said€to€him,€"They€should€really€burn€the€fat€first;Íthen€you€may€take€as€much€as€your€heart€desires,"€he€would€then€answerÏhim,€"No,€but€you€must€give€it€now;€and€if€not,€I€will€take€it€by€force."€17ÏTherefore€the€sin€of€the€young€men€was€very€great€before€the€LORD,€for€menÏabhorred€the€offering€of€the€LORD.......22€Now€Eli€was€very€old;€and€he€heardÏeverything€his€sons€did€to€all€Israel,€and€how€they€lay€with€the€women€whoÏassembled€at€the€door€of€the€tabernacle€of€meeting.€23€So€he€said€to€them,Ï"Why€do€you€do€such€things?€For€I€hear€of€your€evil€dealings€from€all€theÏpeople.€24€"No,€my€sons!€For€it€is€not€a€good€report€that€I€hear.€You€make€theÏLORD'S€people€transgress.€25€"If€one€man€sins€against€another,€God€willÏjudge€him.€But€if€a€man€sins€against€the€LORD,€who€will€intercede€for€him?"ÏNevertheless€they€did€not€heed€the€voice€of€their€father,€because€the€LORDÏdesired€to€kill€them.€26€And€the€child€Samuel€grew€in€stature,€and€in€favorÏboth€with€the€LORD€and€men.€27€Then€a€man€of€God€came€to€Eli€and€said€toÏhim,€"Thus€says€the€LORD:€`Did€I€not€clearly€reveal€Myself€to€the€house€ofÏyour€father€when€they€were€in€Egypt€in€Pharaoh's€house?€28€`Did€I€notÏchoose€him€out€of€all€the€tribes€of€Israel€to€be€My€priest,€to€offer€upon€My€altar,Ïto€burn€incense,€and€to€wear€an€ephod€before€Me?€And€did€I€not€give€to€theÏhouse€of€your€father€all€the€offerings€of€the€children€of€Israel€made€by€fire?€29Ï`Why€do€you€kick€at€My€sacrifice€and€My€offering€which€I€have€commanded€inÏMy€dwelling€place,€and€honor€your€sons€more€than€Me,€to€make€yourselves€fatÏwith€the€best€of€all€the€offerings€of€Israel€My€people?'€30€"Therefore€theÏLORD€God€of€Israel€says:€`I€said€indeed€that€your€house€and€the€house€of€yourÏfather€would€walk€before€Me€forever.'€But€now€the€LORD€says:€`Far€be€itÏfrom€Me;€for€those€who€honor€Me€I€will€honor,€and€those€who€despise€Me€shallÏbe€lightly€esteemed.óóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àAlso,€during€the€decline€of€the€kingdom€of€Judah.€ò òJeremiah€5:30„31€ó óÏòò"An€astonishing€and€horrible€thing€Has€been€committed€in€the€land:€31€TheÏprophets€prophesy€falsely,€And€the€priests€rule€by€their€own€power;€And€MyÏpeople€love€to€have€it€so.€But€what€will€you€do€in€the€end?ððóóò òÌó óà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àAlso,€during€the€time€of€Ezraððs€reformation.€ò òEzra€9:1„3€ó óòò€When€theseÏthings€were€done,€the€leaders€came€to€me,€saying,€"The€people€of€Israel€andÏthe€priests€and€the€Levites€have€not€separated€themselves€from€the€peoples€ofÏthe€lands,€with€respect€to€the€abominations€of€the€Canaanites,€the€Hittites,€theÏPerizzites,€the€Jebusites,€the€Ammonites,€the€Moabites,€the€Egyptians,€and€theÏAmorites.€2€"For€they€have€taken€some€of€their€daughters€as€wives€forÏthemselves€and€their€sons,€so€that€the€holy€seed€is€mixed€with€the€peoples€ofÏthose€lands.€Indeed,€the€hand€of€the€leaders€and€rulers€has€been€foremost€inÏthis€trespass."€3€So€when€I€heard€this€thing,€I€tore€my€garment€and€my€robe,Ïand€plucked€out€some€of€the€hair€of€my€head€and€beard,€and€sat€downÏastonished.€óóò òÌó óà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àTo€be€a€role€model,€the€model€should€be€righteous.€Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àPaul€invited€people€to€imitate€him.€ò ò1€Corinthians€11:1€ó ó€òòð ðImitate€me,€justÏas€I€also€imitate€Christ.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àHe€also€instructed€Christians€to€imitate€worthy€men.ò òPhilippians€3:17„19€ó óòò€ð ðBrethren,€join€in€following€my€example,€and€note€those€who€so€walk,€asÏyou€have€us€for€a€pattern.€18€For€many€walk,€of€whom€I€have€told€you€often,Ïand€now€tell€you€even€weeping,€that€they€are€the€enemies€of€the€cross€ofÍChrist:€19€whose€end€is€destruction,€whose€god€is€their€belly,€and€whose€gloryÏis€in€their€shame„„who€set€their€mind€on€earthly€things.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€writer€of€Hebrews€urged€the€same€thing.Ìà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òHebrews€6:11„12€€ó óòòð ðAnd€we€desire€that€each€one€of€you€show€the€sameÏdiligence€to€the€full€assurance€of€hope€until€the€end,€12€that€you€do€notÏbecome€sluggish,€but€imitate€those€who€through€faith€and€patience€inheritÏthe€promises.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òHebrews€13:7€ó óòòð ðRemember€those€who€rule€over€you,€who€have€spoken€theÏword€of€God€to€you,€whose€faith€follow,€considering€the€outcome€of€theirÏconduct.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€ultimate€model€is€Christ.€ò òPhilippians€2:5„13€ó ó€òòð ðLet€this€mind€be€inÏyou€which€was€also€in€Christ€Jesus,€6€who,€being€in€the€form€of€God,€did€notÏconsider€it€robbery€to€be€equal€with€God,€7€but€made€Himself€of€no€reputation,Ïtaking€the€form€of€a€bondservant,€and€coming€in€the€likeness€of€men.€8€AndÏbeing€found€in€appearance€as€a€man,€He€humbled€Himself€and€becameÏobedient€to€the€point€of€death,€even€the€death€of€the€cross.€9€Therefore€God€alsoÏhas€highly€exalted€Him€and€given€Him€the€name€which€is€above€every€name,Ï10€that€at€the€name€of€Jesus€every€knee€should€bow,€of€those€in€heaven,€and€ofÏthose€on€earth,€and€of€those€under€the€earth,€11€and€that€every€tongue€shouldÏconfess€that€Jesus€Christ€is€Lord,€to€the€glory€of€God€the€Father.€12€Therefore,Ïmy€beloved,€as€you€have€always€obeyed,€not€as€in€my€presence€only,€but€nowÏmuch€more€in€my€absence,€work€out€your€own€salvation€with€fear€andÏtrembling;€13€for€it€is€God€who€works€in€you€both€to€will€and€to€do€for€HisÏgood€pleasure.ððÌóóà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€fourth€correction€by€God€deals€with€the€sin€of€treachery.€ò òVs.€2:10„17ó ó€€òòHaveÏwe€not€all€one€Father?€Has€not€one€God€created€us?€Why€do€we€deal€treacherouslyÏwith€one€another€By€profaning€the€covenant€of€the€fathers?€11€Judah€has€dealtÏtreacherously,€And€an€abomination€has€been€committed€in€Israel€and€in€Jerusalem,ÏFor€Judah€has€profaned€The€LORD'S€holy€institution€which€He€loves:€He€has€marriedÏthe€daughter€of€a€foreign€god.€12€May€the€LORD€cut€off€from€the€tents€of€Jacob€theÏman€who€does€this,€being€awake€and€aware,€Yet€who€brings€an€offering€to€the€LORDÏof€hosts!€13€And€this€is€the€second€thing€you€do:€You€cover€the€altar€of€the€LORDÏwith€tears,€With€weeping€and€crying;€So€He€does€not€regard€the€offering€anymore,ÏNor€receive€it€with€goodwill€from€your€hands.€14€Yet€you€say,€"For€what€reason?"ÏBecause€the€LORD€has€been€witness€Between€you€and€the€wife€of€your€youth,€WithÏwhom€you€have€dealt€treacherously;€Yet€she€is€your€companion€And€your€wife€byÏcovenant.€15€But€did€He€not€make€them€one,€Having€a€remnant€of€the€Spirit?€AndÏwhy€one?€He€seeks€godly€offspring.€Therefore€take€heed€to€your€spirit,€And€let€noneÏdeal€treacherously€with€the€wife€of€his€youth.€16€"For€the€LORD€God€of€Israel€saysÏThat€He€hates€divorce,€For€it€covers€one's€garment€with€violence,"€Says€the€LORD€ofÏhosts.€"Therefore€take€heed€to€your€spirit,€That€you€do€not€deal€treacherously."€17ÏYou€have€wearied€the€LORD€with€your€words;€Yet€you€say,€"In€what€way€have€weÏwearied€Him?"€In€that€you€say,€"Everyone€who€does€evil€Is€good€in€the€sight€of€theÏLORD,€And€He€delights€in€them,"€Or,€"Where€is€the€God€of€justice?"€óóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àTreachery€and€unfaithfulness€are€identical€in€effect,€but€treachery€isÏintentional,€while€unfaithfulness€can€happen€through€carelessness.Ìà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€treachery€in€ò òVs.€10„13€ó órefers€to€those€who€are€traitors€against€GodÍand€His€will.€Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òPsalm€119:158„160€ó óòòð ðI€see€the€treacherous,€and€am€disgusted,€Because€theyÏdo€not€keep€Your€word.€159€Consider€how€I€love€Your€precepts;€Revive€me,€OÏLORD,€according€to€Your€lovingkindness.€160€The€entirety€of€Your€word€isÏtruth,€And€every€one€of€Your€righteous€judgments€endures€forever.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òHosea€6:4„7òò€ó ó"O€Ephraim,€what€shall€I€do€to€you?€O€Judah,€what€shall€I€do€toÏyou?€For€your€faithfulness€is€like€a€morning€cloud,€And€like€the€early€dew€itÏgoes€away.€5€Therefore€I€have€hewn€them€by€the€prophets,€I€have€slain€themÏby€the€words€of€My€mouth;€And€your€judgments€are€like€light€that€goes€forth.Ï6€For€I€desire€mercy€and€not€sacrifice,€And€the€knowledge€of€God€more€thanÏburnt€offerings.€7€"But€like€men€they€transgressed€the€covenant;€There€theyÏdealt€treacherously€with€Me.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àTraitors€are€listed€among€other€sinners€in€ò ò2€Timothy€3:1„5ó ó.òò€ð ðBut€knowÏthis,€that€in€the€last€days€perilous€times€will€come:€2€For€men€will€be€lovers€ofÏthemselves,€lovers€of€money,€boasters,€proud,€blasphemers,€disobedient€toÏparents,€unthankful,€unholy,€3€unloving,€unforgiving,€slanderers,€withoutÏself„control,€brutal,€despisers€of€good,€4€ò òtraitorsó ó,€headstrong,€haughty,€loversÏof€pleasure€rather€than€lovers€of€God,€5€having€a€form€of€godliness€butÏdenying€its€power.€And€from€such€people€turn€away!ððóóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€treachery€of€ò òVs.€14„16€ó óis€an€example:€husbands€against€wives.€Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àSolomon€warned€his€sons€against€such€treachery.€ò òProverbs€5:15„20Ïó óòòð ðDrink€water€from€your€own€cistern,€And€running€water€from€your€ownÏwell.€16€Should€your€fountains€be€dispersed€abroad,€Streams€of€water€in€theÏstreets?€17€Let€them€be€only€your€own,€And€not€for€strangers€with€you.€18ÏLet€your€fountain€be€blessed,€And€rejoice€with€the€wife€of€your€youth.€19€As€aÏloving€deer€and€a€graceful€doe,€Let€her€breasts€satisfy€you€at€all€times;€AndÏalways€be€enraptured€with€her€love.€20€For€why€should€you,€my€son,€beÏenraptured€by€an€immoral€woman,€And€be€embraced€in€the€arms€of€aÏseductress?ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àBut€he€also€reveals€that€treachery€is€not€confined€to€men.€ò òProverbsÏ2:11,€16„17€ó óòòð ðDiscretion€will€preserve€you;€Understanding€will€keepÏyou................16€To€deliver€you€from€the€immoral€woman,€From€the€seductressÏwho€flatters€with€her€words,€17€Who€forsakes€the€companion€of€her€youth,ÏAnd€forgets€the€covenant€of€her€God.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àAnother€type€of€treachery€(not€mentioned€by€Malachi)€was€forbiddenÏin€the€Law€of€Moses.€ò òExodus€21:12„14€ó óòò"He€who€strikes€a€man€so€that€heÏdies€shall€surely€be€put€to€death.€13€"However,€if€he€did€not€lie€in€wait,€butÏGod€delivered€him€into€his€hand,€then€I€will€appoint€for€you€a€place€where€heÏmay€flee.€14€"But€if€a€man€acts€with€premeditation€against€his€neighbor,€to€killÏhim€by€treachery,€you€shall€take€him€from€My€altar,€that€he€may€die.ððóó€(ThereÏis€an€example€of€the€application€of€this€law€in€ò ò1€Kings€2:5„6,€28„33ó ó.)Ìà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àMalachi€ends€this€section€in€ò òVs.€17€ó óby€showing€another€form€of€perverseÏlogic€found€in€people.€Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òProverbs€17:15€ó óòòð ðHe€who€justifies€the€wicked,€and€he€who€condemns€the€just,ÏBoth€of€them€alike€are€an€abomination€to€the€LORD.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òIsaiah€5:20€ó óòò€ð ðWoe€to€those€who€call€evil€good,€and€good€evil;€Who€putÏdarkness€for€light,€and€light€for€darkness;€Who€put€bitter€for€sweet,€and€sweetÍfor€bitter!ððóóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àGod€shows€what€he€intends€to€do€in€response€to€the€failures€of€the€priests.€ò òVs.Ï3:1„5€ó ó€òò"Behold,€I€send€My€messenger,€And€he€will€prepare€the€way€before€Me.€AndÏthe€Lord,€whom€you€seek,€Will€suddenly€come€to€His€temple,€Even€the€Messenger€ofÏthe€covenant,€In€whom€you€delight.€Behold,€He€is€coming,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts.Ï2€"But€who€can€endure€the€day€of€His€coming?€And€who€can€stand€when€HeÏappears?€For€He€is€like€a€refiner's€fire€And€like€launderer's€soap.€3€He€will€sit€as€aÏrefiner€and€a€purifier€of€silver;€He€will€purify€the€sons€of€Levi,€And€purge€them€asÏgold€and€silver,€That€they€may€offer€to€the€LORD€An€offering€in€righteousness.€4Ï"Then€the€offering€of€Judah€and€Jerusalem€Will€be€pleasant€to€the€LORD,€As€in€theÏdays€of€old,€As€in€former€years.€5€And€I€will€come€near€you€for€judgment;€I€will€be€aÏswift€witness€Against€sorcerers,€Against€adulterers,€Against€perjurers,€AgainstÏthose€who€exploit€wage€earners€and€widows€and€orphans,€And€against€those€whoÏturn€away€an€alien„„Because€they€do€not€fear€Me,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts.óóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àIn€a€final€conversation,€God€turns€his€attention€to€faults€of€the€whole€nation€ofÏIsrael.€ò òVsó ó.ò ò€3:6„15ó ó€òò"For€I€am€the€LORD,€I€do€not€change;€Therefore€you€are€notÏconsumed,€O€sons€of€Jacob.€7€Yet€from€the€days€of€your€fathers€You€have€gone€awayÏfrom€My€ordinances€And€have€not€kept€them.€Return€to€Me,€and€I€will€return€toÏyou,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts.€"But€you€said,€`In€what€way€shall€we€return?'€8Ï"Will€a€man€rob€God?€Yet€you€have€robbed€Me!€But€you€say,€`In€what€way€have€weÏrobbed€You?'€In€tithes€and€offerings.€9€You€are€cursed€with€a€curse,€For€you€haveÏrobbed€Me,€Even€this€whole€nation.€10€Bring€all€the€tithes€into€the€storehouse,€ThatÏthere€may€be€food€in€My€house,€And€try€Me€now€in€this,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts,Ï"If€I€will€not€open€for€you€the€windows€of€heaven€And€pour€out€for€you€such€blessingÏThat€there€will€not€be€room€enough€to€receive€it.€11€"And€I€will€rebuke€the€devourerÏfor€your€sakes,€So€that€he€will€not€destroy€the€fruit€of€your€ground,€Nor€shall€the€vineÏfail€to€bear€fruit€for€you€in€the€field,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts;€12€"And€all€nationsÏwill€call€you€blessed,€For€you€will€be€a€delightful€land,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts.€Ìà àà0 àà0 àà à13€"Your€words€have€been€harsh€against€Me,"€Says€the€LORD,€"Yet€you€say,Ï`What€have€we€spoken€against€You?'€14€You€have€said,€`It€is€useless€to€serve€God;ÏWhat€profit€is€it€that€we€have€kept€His€ordinance,€And€that€we€have€walked€asÏmourners€Before€the€LORD€of€hosts?€15€So€now€we€call€the€proud€blessed,€For€thoseÏwho€do€wickedness€are€raised€up;€They€even€tempt€God€and€go€free.'"óóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€first€failure€of€Israel€was€in€ð ðrobbing€Godðð€in€the€tithe.€ò òVs.€6„12Ìó óà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àIsrael€was€commanded€to€tithe.ò ò€Leviticus€27:30„32€ó ó€òò`The€tithe€of€the€land,Ïwhether€of€the€seed€of€the€land€or€of€the€fruit€of€the€tree,€is€the€LORD'S.€It€isÏholy€to€the€LORD.€31€`If€a€man€wants€at€all€to€redeem€any€of€his€tithes,€heÏshall€add€one„fifth€to€it.€32€`And€concerning€the€tithe€of€the€herd€or€the€flock,€ofÏwhatever€passes€under€the€rod,€the€tenth€one€shall€be€holy€to€the€LORD.óóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àEven€the€priests€were€to€pay€a€tithe€of€the€tithe.€ò òNumbers€18:26€ó óòò€"SpeakÏthus€to€the€Levites,€and€say€to€them:€`When€you€take€from€the€children€ofÏIsrael€the€tithes€which€I€have€given€you€from€them€as€your€inheritance,€thenÏyou€shall€offer€up€a€heave€offering€of€it€to€the€LORD,€a€tenth€of€the€tithe.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àChristians€are€not€commanded€to€give€a€specific€amount,€like€the€Jews,Ïbut€cannot€escape€the€truth€that€God€requires€them€to€be€liberal€inÏtheir€giving.€Ìà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò ò1€Corinthians€16:1„2€ó óòòNow€concerning€the€collection€for€the€saints,€as€IÍhave€given€orders€to€the€churches€of€Galatia,€so€you€must€do€also:€2€On€theÏfirst€day€of€the€week€let€each€one€of€you€lay€something€aside,€storing€up€asÏhe€may€prosper,€that€there€be€no€collections€when€I€come.óóÌà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òRomans€12:6„8€ó óòòHaving€then€gifts€differing€according€to€the€grace€that€isÏgiven€to€us,€let€us€use€them:€if€prophecy,€let€us€prophesy€in€proportion€toÏour€faith;€7€or€ministry,€let€us€use€it€in€our€ministering;€he€who€teaches,Ïin€teaching;€8€he€who€exhorts,€in€exhortation;€he€who€gives,€withÏliberality;€he€who€leads,€with€diligence;€he€who€shows€mercy,€withÏcheerfulness.óó€(Compare€ò òJames€1:5ó ó.)Ìà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò ò2€Corinthians€9:7€ó óòò€So€let€each€one€give€as€he€purposes€in€his€heart,€notÏgrudgingly€or€of€necessity;€for€God€loves€a€cheerful€giver.Ìóóà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€second€fault€of€Israel,€inò ò€Vs.€13„15ó ó,€was€in€failing€to€see€the€ð ðprofitðð€inÏserving€the€Lord.€Ìà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àOthers€had€complained€about€the€prosperity€of€the€wicked.Ìà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òJob€21:7„16€ó óòò€Why€do€the€wicked€live€and€become€old,€Yes,€become€mightyÏin€power?€8€Their€descendants€are€established€with€them€in€their€sight,ÏAnd€their€offspring€before€their€eyes.€9€Their€houses€are€safe€from€fear,ÏNeither€is€the€rod€of€God€upon€them.€10€Their€bull€breeds€without€failure;ÏTheir€cow€calves€without€miscarriage.€11€They€send€forth€their€little€onesÏlike€a€flock,€And€their€children€dance.€12€They€sing€to€the€tambourine€andÏharp,€And€rejoice€to€the€sound€of€the€flute.€13€They€spend€their€days€inÏwealth,€And€in€a€moment€go€down€to€the€grave.€14€Yet€they€say€to€God,Ï`Depart€from€us,€For€we€do€not€desire€the€knowledge€of€Your€ways.€15ÏWho€is€the€Almighty,€that€we€should€serve€Him?€And€what€profit€do€weÏhave€if€we€pray€to€Him?'€16€Indeed€their€prosperity€is€not€in€their€hand;ÏThe€counsel€of€the€wicked€is€far€from€me.óóÌà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òJeremiah€12:1„3€ó óòòRighteous€are€You,€O€LORD,€when€I€plead€with€You;ÏYet€let€me€talk€with€You€about€Your€judgments.€Why€does€the€way€of€theÏwicked€prosper?€Why€are€those€happy€who€deal€so€treacherously?€2€YouÏhave€planted€them,€yes,€they€have€taken€root;€They€grow,€yes,€they€bearÏfruit.€You€are€near€in€their€mouth€But€far€from€their€mind.€3€But€You,€OÏLORD,€know€me;€You€have€seen€me,€And€You€have€tested€my€heartÏtoward€You.€Pull€them€out€like€sheep€for€the€slaughter,€And€prepare€themÏfor€the€day€of€slaughter.óóÌà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àYet,€Godððs€promise€to€condemn€the€wicked€is€confirmed€by€others.Ìà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òPsalm€11:5„6€ó óòòThe€LORD€tests€the€righteous,€But€the€wicked€and€the€oneÏwho€loves€violence€His€soul€hates.€6€Upon€the€wicked€He€will€rain€coals;ÏFire€and€brimstone€and€a€burning€wind€Shall€be€the€portion€of€their€cup.óóÌà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òIsaiah€13:11€ó ó€òò"I€will€punish€the€world€for€its€evil,€And€the€wicked€forÏtheir€iniquity;€I€will€halt€the€arrogance€of€the€proud,€And€will€lay€low€theÏhaughtiness€of€the€terrible.ððóóÌà àà àà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òMatthew€13:49„50€ó óòò€"So€it€will€be€at€the€end€of€the€age.€The€angels€willÏcome€forth,€separate€the€wicked€from€among€the€just,€50€"and€cast€themÏinto€the€furnace€of€fire.€There€will€be€wailing€and€gnashing€of€teeth."óóÌà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThose€children€of€God€who€did€not€have€these€faults€are€given€a€promiseÏof€great€reward.€ò òVs.€3:16„18€òòó ó€Then€those€who€feared€the€LORD€spoke€to€oneÏanother,€And€the€LORD€listened€and€heard€them;€So€a€book€of€remembrance€wasÍwritten€before€Him€For€those€who€fear€the€LORD€And€who€meditate€on€HisÏname.€17€"They€shall€be€Mine,"€says€the€LORD€of€hosts,€"On€the€day€that€I€makeÏthem€My€jewels.€And€I€will€spare€them€As€a€man€spares€his€own€son€who€servesÏhim."€18€Then€you€shall€again€discern€Between€the€righteous€and€the€wicked,ÏBetween€one€who€serves€God€And€one€who€does€not€serve€Him.óóÌÌÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àCONCLUSION„„€The€final€words€of€Malachiððs€prophecy€are€the€final€words€of€theÏOld€Testament,€and€hold€out€the€promise€of€the€coming€of€Christ,€and€of€his€herald,ÏJohn€the€baptizer.€ò òVs.€4:1„6€ó óòò€"For€behold,€the€day€is€coming,€Burning€like€an€oven,€And€allÏthe€proud,€yes,€all€who€do€wickedly€will€be€stubble.€And€the€day€which€is€coming€shall€burnÏthem€up,"€Says€the€LORD€of€hosts,€"That€will€leave€them€neither€root€nor€branch.€2€But€toÏyou€who€fear€My€name€The€Sun€of€Righteousness€shall€arise€With€healing€in€His€wings;ÏAnd€you€shall€go€out€And€grow€fat€like€stall„fed€calves.€3€You€shall€trample€the€wicked,€ForÏthey€shall€be€ashes€under€the€soles€of€your€feet€On€the€day€that€I€do€this,"€Says€the€LORD€ofÏhosts.€4€"Remember€the€Law€of€Moses,€My€servant,€Which€I€commanded€him€in€Horeb€for€allÏIsrael,€With€the€statutes€and€judgments.€5€Behold,€I€will€send€you€Elijah€the€prophet€BeforeÏthe€coming€of€the€great€and€dreadful€day€of€the€LORD.€6€And€he€will€turn€The€hearts€of€theÏfathers€to€the€children,€And€the€hearts€of€the€children€to€their€fathers,€Lest€I€come€and€strikeÏthe€earth€with€a€curse."óóÌà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àJesus€is€identified€in€this€prophecy€as€the€ð ðSun€of€Righteousness.ðð€Ìò òà àà àó óÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôò òà0 àJohn€1:1„13€ó óòòIn€the€beginning€was€the€Word,€and€the€Word€was€with€God,€and€theÏWord€was€God.€2€He€was€in€the€beginning€with€God.€3€All€things€were€madeÏthrough€Him,€and€without€Him€nothing€was€made€that€was€made.€4€In€Him€was€life,Ïand€the€life€was€the€light€of€men.€5€And€the€light€shines€in€the€darkness,€and€theÏdarkness€did€not€comprehend€it.€6€There€was€a€man€sent€from€God,€whose€name€wasÏJohn.€7€This€man€came€for€a€witness,€to€bear€witness€of€the€Light,€that€all€through€himÏmight€believe.€8€He€was€not€that€Light,€but€was€sent€to€bear€witness€of€that€Light.€9ÏThat€was€the€true€Light€which€gives€light€to€every€man€coming€into€the€world.€10€HeÏwas€in€the€world,€and€the€world€was€made€through€Him,€and€the€world€did€not€knowÏHim.€11€He€came€to€His€own,€and€His€own€did€not€receive€Him.€12€But€as€many€asÏreceived€Him,€to€them€He€gave€the€right€to€become€children€of€God,€to€those€whoÏbelieve€in€His€name:€13€who€were€born,€not€of€blood,€nor€of€the€will€of€the€flesh,€nor€ofÏthe€will€of€man,€but€of€God.óóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òJohn€8:12€ó óòò€Then€Jesus€spoke€to€them€again,€saying,€"I€am€the€light€of€the€world.€HeÏwho€follows€Me€shall€not€walk€in€darkness,€but€have€the€light€of€life."óóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òMatthew€17:1„2€ó óòò€Now€after€six€days€Jesus€took€Peter,€James,€and€John€his€brother,Ïled€them€up€on€a€high€mountain€by€themselves;€2€and€He€was€transfigured€beforeÏthem.€His€face€shone€like€the€sun,€and€His€clothes€became€as€white€as€the€light.óóÌà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àJohn€the€baptizer€came€in€a€semblance€of€Elijah.Ìà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àThe€announcement€of€Johnððs€birth€to€his€father€hinted€at€this€role.€ò òLuke€1:13„17€ó óòò€But€the€angel€said€to€him,€"Do€not€be€afraid,€Zacharias,€for€your€prayer€is€heard;Ïand€your€wife€Elizabeth€will€bear€you€a€son,€and€you€shall€call€his€name€John.€14Ï"And€you€will€have€joy€and€gladness,€and€many€will€rejoice€at€his€birth.€15€"For€heÏwill€be€great€in€the€sight€of€the€Lord,€and€shall€drink€neither€wine€nor€strong€drink.ÏHe€will€also€be€filled€with€the€Holy€Spirit,€even€from€his€mother's€womb.€16€"And€heÏwill€turn€many€of€the€children€of€Israel€to€the€Lord€their€God.€17€"He€will€also€goÏbefore€Him€in€the€spirit€and€power€of€Elijah,€`to€turn€the€hearts€of€the€fathers€to€theÍchildren,'€and€the€disobedient€to€the€wisdom€of€the€just,€to€make€ready€a€peopleÏprepared€for€the€Lord."óóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àJohn,€himself,€denied€that€he€was€actually€Elijah,€risen€from€the€dead.€ò òJohn€1:Ï19„23òò€ó óNow€this€is€the€testimony€of€John,€when€the€Jews€sent€priests€and€Levites€fromÏJerusalem€to€ask€him,€"Who€are€you?"€20€He€confessed,€and€did€not€deny,€butÏconfessed,€"I€am€not€the€Christ."€21€And€they€asked€him,€"What€then?€Are€youÏElijah?"€He€said,€"I€am€not."€"Are€you€the€Prophet?"€And€he€answered,€"No."€22ÏThen€they€said€to€him,€"Who€are€you,€that€we€may€give€an€answer€to€those€who€sentÏus?€What€do€you€say€about€yourself?"€23€He€said:€"I€am€`The€voice€of€one€crying€inÏthe€wilderness:€"Make€straight€the€way€of€the€LORD,"'€as€the€prophet€Isaiah€said."óóÌà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àYet,€Jesus€identified€John€as€the€fulfilment€of€Malachiððs€prophecy.€Ìà àà àà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àò òMatthew€11:7„15€ó óòò€As€they€departed,€Jesus€began€to€say€to€the€multitudesÏconcerning€John:€"What€did€you€go€out€into€the€wilderness€to€see?€A€reed€shakenÏby€the€wind?€8€"But€what€did€you€go€out€to€see?€A€man€clothed€in€soft€garments?ÏIndeed,€those€who€wear€soft€clothing€are€in€kings'€houses.€9€"But€what€did€you€goÏout€to€see?€A€prophet?€Yes,€I€say€to€you,€and€more€than€a€prophet.€10€"For€this€isÏhe€of€whom€it€is€written:€`Behold,€I€send€My€messenger€before€Your€face,€WhoÏwill€prepare€Your€way€before€You.'€11€"Assuredly,€I€say€to€you,€among€thoseÏborn€of€women€there€has€not€risen€one€greater€than€John€the€Baptist;€but€he€whoÏis€least€in€the€kingdom€of€heaven€is€greater€than€he.€12€"And€from€the€days€ofÏJohn€the€Baptist€until€now€the€kingdom€of€heaven€suffers€violence,€and€the€violentÏtake€it€by€force.€13€"For€all€the€prophets€and€the€law€prophesied€until€John.€14Ï"And€if€you€are€willing€to€receive€it,€he€is€Elijah€who€is€to€come.€15€"He€who€hasÏears€to€hear,€let€him€hear!óóÌò òà àà àó óà àÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôò òà0 àMatthew€17:1„13€ó ó€òòNow€after€six€days€Jesus€took€Peter,€James,€and€John€hisÏbrother,€led€them€up€on€a€high€mountain€by€themselves;€2€and€He€was€transfig…ured€before€them.€His€face€shone€like€the€sun,€and€His€clothes€became€as€white€asÏthe€light.€3€And€behold,€Moses€and€Elijah€appeared€to€them,€talking€with€Him.€4ÏThen€Peter€answered€and€said€to€Jesus,€"Lord,€it€is€good€for€us€to€be€here;€if€YouÏwish,€let€us€make€here€three€tabernacles:€one€for€You,€one€for€Moses,€and€one€forÏElijah."€5€While€he€was€still€speaking,€behold,€a€bright€cloud€overshadowed€them;Ïand€suddenly€a€voice€came€out€of€the€cloud,€saying,€"This€is€My€beloved€Son,€inÏwhom€I€am€well€pleased.€Hear€Him!"€6€And€when€the€disciples€heard€it,€they€fellÏon€their€faces€and€were€greatly€afraid.€7€But€Jesus€came€and€touched€them€andÏsaid,€"Arise,€and€do€not€be€afraid."€8€When€they€had€lifted€up€their€eyes,€they€sawÏno€one€but€Jesus€only.€9€Now€as€they€came€down€from€the€mountain,€JesusÏcommanded€them,€saying,€"Tell€the€vision€to€no€one€until€the€Son€of€Man€is€risenÏfrom€the€dead."€10€And€His€disciples€asked€Him,€saying,€"Why€then€do€theÏscribes€say€that€Elijah€must€come€first?"€11€Jesus€answered€and€said€to€them,Ï"Indeed,€Elijah€is€coming€first€and€will€restore€all€things.€12€"But€I€say€to€youÏthat€Elijah€has€come€already,€and€they€did€not€know€him€but€did€to€him€whateverÏthey€wished.€Likewise€the€Son€of€Man€is€also€about€to€suffer€at€their€hands."€13ÏThen€the€disciples€understood€that€He€spoke€to€them€of€John€the€Baptist.€Ìóóà àà àà àÌÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà0 àADDENDA„„€In€view€that€we€can€learn€many€principles€from€the€Old€TestamentÏ(ò òRomans€15:4ó ó),€and€in€view€that€Christ€is€now€King€and€Judge,€we€should€take€theseÏlessons€to€heart,€and€make€certain€that€we€do€not€repeat€them€in€our€dispensation