Evening star., 1922-09-16

MaIachis message reveals the fact
that many of our modern problems
were perils of ancient times. HUI
manity has remained the same
throughout history Every genera
ton has had to face similar ques-
tions to those that we are called upon
to solve. In the closing book of the
Old Testament the messenger of Je-
hoyah points out that the heart of
mans difficulties is due to the sin
Of humanity The prophet takes up
the cynical question of men and shows
the close relation that exists between
their civil thinking and sinful living.
The last Old Testament prophet
probably preached about the time oil
Ezra and Nehemiah. The circum-
stances Of his times appear to be
similar to those which the two lead
ers of the restoration had to face in
their efforts of reconstruction. Mala-
chi condemns, as they did. "priestly
iaxity. fCreign marriages. remlssness
of the people in tithes and other dues.
pride. indifference and doubt. HIS
Or. aching reveals the need Of thor
"ugh reformation and ought TO have
been of great value to the work OF
Nehemiah and Ezra.
The last of the, Old Testament
prophets faced the facts Of his day
He found the standpatter satisfied
with the condition of things because
it was to his liking and profit. He
heard the voice of the pessimist. who
insisted that the world was dete-
rorating rapidly and saw no chance
for any Improvement. He had be-
come 4 doUbter and distrusted. il he
did not deny. all forms Of religion
Although the prophet saw the evil
dcnce of the presence of the dark
clouds and believed that there ought
to he a reformation in the manner in
which the ritual was observed, yet
he championed the renewal of the
spiritual life as the way out of their
perilous position. The messenger of
God was an optimist. He found that
the cause of the evil of his time was
Que to the fact that the religious
life was weak and the spiritual
vision was dim. He sought to in
crease the religious life by enlargins
the spiritual vision Of his country
men.
He did it by a unique method OF
meeting the problems Of the people
and showing them the correct solu-
tion. He did this by stating the
questions that were trying the souls
of men; he then put an answer IN
the mouth of an imaginary opponent
ana immediately "overwhelms him
ing rebuke. Nothing could be more
spirited than his onset: it is the rapid
swordplay of skilled fencer; bout
follows bout; swift thrust and parry
Of question. and. at last. the final
stroke dealt with deadly effect" He
tried to fill those who Were sincere
in their views and discouraged at the
turn affairs had taken with hope by
promising the coming of the Messiah.
The expectation of the Coming One
runs like a golden thread through the
entire fabric of Jewish history. Their
faith in the advent Of the Messiah
has served to fill the discouraged and
devout Hebrew with courage and con-
f1dence, So that they have faced the
darkest periods of their history with
hope because of His coming. The
first announcement of the MesSiah's
triumph was made in the Garden of
Eden. 1t was kept before them in
rite and ceremony. in type and SYM
Dol. and in the Oft-repeated prophe-
cieS OF Gods messenger up TO tl..
hour Of Malachi. who was the last
one of the prophets to speak of the
MeSsiah's advent He speaks in the
lesson Of the messenger who would
come in the spirit of Elijah to pre-
pare the way, through the removal of
all obstacles that interfered with the
Messiah's advent Malachi claimed
that he was to come sudden and soon
He points out that the Messiah's
coming would be characterized by the
nation bong refined. reformed and
restored. The first task was that of
Judgment, for the country had to be
cleansed of dross and inlpurity before
the blessings of the new era could
he conferred. The prophet saw the
refining process working it's stern
Judgment on the apathetic priests and
upon the superstitious. immoral and
cruelty unjust people," He pointed
out that it would not be until re-
forms in the moral and social life
of the nation had removed their sor-
Gerry. adultery, perjury and oppres
sion would the Messiah come. John
the Baptist was the refiner and re-
coming IF the Christ.
The key to Malachi is found in his
charge of their robbing God of tithes
and offerings. He did not place re-
ligion upon a financial basis. but he
applied a financial test to their re-
ligion. They had paid their taxes
and civil obligations to the govern
ment in accordance with the require
ments of the law, but they had paid
their tithes to Jehovah in debased
currency or imperfect offerings. They
had considered their financial and
material Conditions as evidence that
God did not love them. The prophet
insisted that the evils of which they
complained had come upon them be-
cause in their sinful desire for mer-
cenary gain they had neglected to pay