Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-16

INTRODUCTION 1t is we'll known
that the book from which our lesson is
taken. the last in the Old Testament canon.
Ia separated from the latest of the post
exile literature by half a century at least
Haggai and Zechariah had done their work
and passed away (B. C. 520), the one in
urging the building Of the temple. the 9TH
err In promoting revival Of religion. NAL
achi, the last Of the Jewish prophets (B. C,
39D had for his mission to prepare the
way for the long-expected Messiah His
was the last voice heard in Israel on spir-
itual matters. influenced by the spirit of
God. When he disappeared there were no
more inspirted writer's, no more heralds of
salvation as representatives of the AL
mighty. until John the Baptist broke the
silence and preached repentance in the
wilderness of Judea. Malachi therefore
deserves peculiar attention because Of his
unique place and mission.
VISITING. Verse u A double WIS.,
itation Is here promised. Fist that OF
messenger, forerunner. or herald. after
the custom OF kings who sent out a courier
to announce the approach Of the royal per-
son. Reference Is undoubtedly made to
John. who represented himself as filling
that office (Matt. iii:3). Second, after this
messenger the Lord should appear suddenly
among those to whom he had been an
nounced. He Is represented as the one
whom the nation was seeking. 1t is we'll
known that the Messianic hope was very
strong and universal among the Jews They
expected when he came a restoration to all
the glory which had characterized the ma
ton They, therefore. delighted In this
promised one. His coming was decreed. 1t
did not depend on the word OF man. but
on the word of the Lord. Malachi merely
reported what God had said to him and to
other prophets alag, HID.
REFINING. Verses 2, 3, A. The Jews
had false notions of their Messiah. They
~, fx-nd ne tim oral -fy,aa trh
would sit on the throne of David. This
idea had been cherished for centuries. 1t
grew out of certain predictions psalm,
Ixxxix -36), which worldly minded peo-
pie might easily construe as applying to
secular things. 1t was therefore neces-
sary for Malachi to correct these views and
make known the true character and mis-
sion Of Messiah. His work would be spiri-
tual. He would seek to purify the people,
even as the goldsmith removes the dross
from the precious metal by casting IT into
the fire, or as the fuller cleanses the cloth
with soap. This refining process, If accept
ed, would make new nation. The min
listers of religionswould become holy men,
and an offering would be made in right
eousness. The prophet, as he contempates
this, asks who will abide In this refining
work.
REFORMING. Oversees 5 and g. The
Messiah himself Is next represented as
speaking and declaring what he will do.
Dropping all figures of speech, as used I'M
der last head, he proceeds in the plainest
terms to Indicate the mode of the reforms
to be wrought. 1t will be by Judgment not
by punishment but by the declarations of
what is right and wrong, decisions as to
the equity Of conduct. Under five heads
he enumera tes those offenseS that are most
commonly practiced in civil society, against
which he will be q swift witness or prose-
cutor-the sorcerers, those who pretend to
get information from the spirit world,
(Jer., xxix:O; the adulterers, those who vio
late the law of chastity eek. xx:14); the
false swearers EEK, xx:16), those who vio-
late the law Of truthfulness; those who OPP
press the hireling. the widow and the faith
eress. violating the principle of honesty and
Justice; those who treat strangers rudely
5Ex., xxii:2D. 1t will be seen that all who
are guilty of these things recklessly tram
pie under foot the best interests OF So
ciety.
good reason for the prophets solicitude con-
corning the people when Messiah. the re-
finer and reformer, appears. Israel, all
through its history, had been rebellious and
unfaithful They had forsaken the ordi-
nances of God-they had turned to idolatry.
Wicked kings had polluted the temple and
set up the worship of heather deities. All
this was fresh in the minds of the people
to whom Malachi addressed his message
They knew the story of sinful indulgence
that had led to the captivity In Babylon,
and they knew that only a short time be-
fore had Israel returned from bondage
Malachi, therefore, in Gods name and be-
half exhorts the people to return to their
most loyal allegiance to the Divine service
to maintain all the institutes Of religion
and to be very faithful in their personal
service Of the Almighty He follows his
exhortation with promise put into the
mouth of God, who declares that he will
return to the people.
RoBBING. VERSES 8 and o. Still
seeking to make the people sensible of the
evil of their doings, Malachi proceeds to
arraign them in the name Of the Lord.
whom he represents. Having enumerated