The National tribune., 1886-03-11
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught by a Study OF the Inter.
national Sunday School Lesson Appointed foI
March 81. NAL, 3 :I-6: 4:I-6

| March 81. Nal, 3:1-6; 4:1-6.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
| indicated above
Our lesson is in the prophecy of Malachi.
| This is the last book of the Bible and consists
| of four short chapters. It denounces the peO-
pie for their SINS and specially for their neglect
| of the ordinances of the temple. The priests
| are reproved for supineness in the face of gen.
eral Indifference to religious concerns The
last two chapters foretell the coming of John
| the Baptist In the spirit and reformatory en-
ergy of Elijah, and also the coming of the Mes
| siah to save the people from sin.
| We do not know much of Malachi. The word
| Malachi means messenger of God He was born
at Sophia in the tribe of Zebulon. It is judged
| he belonged to that tribe. There is burial
| place on the side of Mount Olives where, it has
been held from earliest times, the remains rest
| OF the Prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.
| lew years ago a Russian priest did his best to
| purchase the grounds for the building thereon
of memorial chapel, but the Turkish Govern
ment would not sell. Malachi is called the
seal of the Prophets, Dan, 8: "a from the fact
his book is the last of the prophecies. About
| 400 years intervene between the Old Testament
| and the New Testament, during which not any
| Prophet appeared.
| There is no doubt in regard to Malachi hav-
ing been contemporary with Nehemiah. 1t
will be remembered that, after a stay of about
| y
| Persia, and that after while he set out again
for Judea. 1t is judged chapters L and 2 of
Malachi tell US of the fearful decline of re-
! lgious interest among the Jews while Nehe-
miah was absent in Persia. Our lesson may be
placed at about 424 B. G. In connection with
| Nal, and 2 student should read Neh., 13.
| Though born in the tribe Of Zebulon Maia-
chi probably lived at Jerusalem His life may
be put between 440 B. C. and 400 B. G. Things
! were at sad pass in Judea shortly after the
| reformation of Ezra and Nehemiah 1t is a
| singular and gracious providence by which,
| just at the nick of time, men appear adapted
| to emergencies This is illustrated III the case
| of Malachi.
| The Prophet proved to be really messenger
| of Jehovah. We see how utterly depraved
| the people had become. Malachi appears and
| begins severely to ehide them. Impertinently,
presumptuously, they ask: where is the God
of judgment?" (2:17) The Prophet proceeds
! to answer. He represents God himself as tax
| ing notice of the blasphemOus interrogation as
| to his whereabouts He steps aside to give place
| for Deity to speak. God declares his determina-
| tiOn. He will first send messenger who shall
| prepare the way for the Messiah The Prophet
| Isaiah had before made known this fact. Isa.,
| 40: Ia The messenger referred to was st.
| John Baptist MT, IL: TO- IL; Mark 1:2 81
! He was to prepare the way for the Christ. So
| far as the majority of those addressed in Y. 1
| was concerned, the expressions whom ye
| seek" and whom ye delight in were very
| sarcastic. Probably, however, some sincerely
| looked forward to the Advent as joyous event.
All erred in expecting temporal King instead
of spiritual Helper. We know the Jews for
| centuries after Malachi earnestly anticipated
| the coming of Messiah, and expressed great Joy
| at the prospect of receiving the Person prom
| iSed i'll Gods covenant with Adam and Abra-
ham. The work of the forerunner was to be
very thorough, but Christ himself was to revo-
lutionize society, completely reform the Church
and set eccleSiastic concerns at rights. He was
to be as fan dividing chaff from wheat. He
was to resemble the intense heat which sepa-
rates dross from real metal. He was to be like
the iye which the sc0urer uses for extracting
any oily matter from a Woolen garment. 1T
is not probable soap was known in so early
times; hence we may understand a liquid
strong with alkaline salts gotten from wood
ashes.) Priests and people alike were to be put
to the test. The work would be successful.
Religious duties would be resumed. Church
offerings would be replenished. People would
become liberal as in the days of David and
Solomon. 1t would be a critical time for all
who did not fear (respect) God. Among the
universally changeable, Jehovah remains al
ways the same. If he were ffckle as man, the
universe would go to wreck. What he has
promised to do shall be accomplished and what
he has threatened viii as surely be effected.
Judgments denounced against wickednesS shall
be inflicted. Prophecies relating to the de-
struction of Jerusalem shall be realized. The
divisions between the righteous and the evil,
f0retOld as to the last day, shall take place.
The evil have reason to tremble. God is set
against sin.
But let not the righteous lose heart. God is
as powerful to do favors as to punish vices. If
dark, it is delightful to have the sun rise.
Christ is the Sun of the Church. He makes
righteous. He heals. He scatters darkness.
He brings life. His people may rejoice like
calves which, just fed. leap from stalls and
bound over the landscape. The good shall pre-
vail over the evil. The Church shall be vic
torious. Let the righteous be careful and not
lapse into evil. As preventive, read and obey
Gods laws. (4:4) To prepare Judea for the
advent of the Messiah, St. John Baptist was to
come with all the courage, and faith, and perse
verance, and plainneSs of Elijah. To fit US all
for the return of our Savior, many an Elijah is
now at work warning men. We should feel a
great personal concern for others. We ought to
have peculiar regard for home. Parents and
children should be united in religious interests.
(4:6.) Let no parent be content if one of his
offspring be unSaved. Let no child feel satisfied
if either parent be yet in sin. We must turn |
hearts toward each other. This is q matter of |
cursing or blessing. Notice the last word of
the Old Testament is "curSe," while almost the |
first word of the New Testament is " blessed" |
Matt, 5:3. Compare Rev, 22:3) God smites |
only when no other method serves the end of |
reform and salvation.
Notice several practical thoughts:
l. We should be messengers of Christ and |
prepare the way for Him in our own hearts, in |
society, in the church-everywhere. {3:1)
?. Seek purity. (3:3) Welcome even the |
fires of adversely and atiiicton, ifneed be. Some
one has said: :" l revere man who is in great |
atfliction. God seems to have selected him, like |
second growth timber, for important work. 1t
is not every one that can be trusted to suffer /
greatly" The Pietism of Germany was the |
fruit OF the 80 Years War" lilly led the .
way for Spencer. Pound or heat amber and it /.
will emit sweet odOr.
3. The clergy should in special seek deepest J
Christian experience. Each should be refined
and purified (3:3.)
4. Let the evil look out for vengeance. God
comes in swift Judgment. (3:2, 5; 4: l, 8, 81
5. Fear God. t3:5; Az Hold him in rever
enee. Though not afraid of God, yet you should
be afraid to offend him.
6. Study Gods Word (4:4 Remember it.
1t is a matter of command from God, and so
should not be sighted
z. Cultivate domestic religion. (4:6) Let
ali the members of the family feel for each
sincere religious concern.
g. Make liberal, honest offerings to God.
(3:4)
9. Keep in mind Christ is to come again. We
do not know at what moment. Therefore be al
ways ready. Be constantly acting as you would