Malachi 3

Very high Baptist proclaimed that the Messiah was come in the flesh, and called the Jews to prepare for his manifestation of himself by faith and repentance.—Christ came in the flesh while the second temple was standing, and honoured it with his presence and ministrations. Though he was the same in nature, and equal in personal dignity, with his Father, he, as Mediator, was sent by him to declare and attest his will to men, and purchase and promote their salvation. The godly rejoiced in his person, incarnation, and work;—and even the wicked Jews were pleased with it, as they conceived hopes of temporal advantages thereby

Malachi 3:2-4

Yet few of the Jews will relish his coming when it shall take place; for they will be offended at his appearances and doctrines, to their own destruction: for his instructions and his conduct will tend to separate the precious from the vile, to sanctify the former and destroy the latter; and he will purify his ministers and people from their errors in doctrine, corruptions in worship, and unholiness in practice, that their services may be agreeable to his law, and accepted of God through him, as well as those of their pious ancestors. 5, 6. I will speedily call you to an account for your sins; and, by punishing you, manifest that I have taken notice of them; and this ye may as certainly expect as I am the unchangeable Jehovah, who, according to my promises to your fathers, have hitherto refrained from punishing you according to your deserts

Malachi 3:8-12

Notwithstanding my being God, and your God, ye have robbed me of my tithes and offerings, and have thereby procured a curse, which, all through the land, hath blasted your crops. But let my justly-required oblations be brought to my temple, and I will abundantly bless you with refreshing and fructifying rains, and plentiful increase; and I will restrain caterpillars, locusts, drought, mildew, and blasting, and every thing else that destroys the fruits of the earth: and all the nations around shall reckon you singularly happy, and worthy to be the object of their love and admiration, on account of your peace, plenty, and holy religion

Malachi 3:13-15

Some of you have indeed presumptuously quarrelled at my service and providences, as if the zealous observance of my laws did profit no one; as if the most proud and daring contemners of me and my service, and the most notorious workers of wickedness, were the only, at least the most, prosperous persons in the nation

Malachi 3:16-18

Yet know assuredly that I exactly observe, and infallibly remember, 1 how the upright who fear my name among you, exhort and encourage one another to duty; and, in the day of national judgments, especially in the last judgment, I will graciously reward them as my peculiar favourites and children. Then shall the most stupid and presumptuous of you be forced to observe and feel the difference that my providence puts between my righteous servants and the wicked contemners of my worship and service

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. III.—Unbounded is the excellency of Jesus’ person and work; and great the joys, the blessings, and the terrors, which attend his coming. His word and Spirit have the most purifying influence on his chosen. But, alas, dreadful is the destruction of those that despise him and do the work of the devil. Great are the pleasures which they enjoy that seek and find Christ in his temple and in his ordinances. And it is by justification and sanctification that all the saints are consecrated spiritual priests unto God.—JEHOVAH’s unchangeableness secures the destruction of his enemies and the preservation of his people. Yet, alas, what fearful wickedness against God and men is to be found amongst hypocritical professors! But wickedness most surely ruins, and robbery either of God or men, renders men still more poor and miserable. If we withhold their dues from God, or from his poor, he will make us to pay dear for it at last. Nor can his straitening us, to punish our robbery, ever excuse it. He must be served, not with our leavings, but with the first fruits of our increase. And, if by trusting in him we be liberal to him, we shall find ourselves gainers at last. If we honour and delight in him, he will make us an honour and delight before all around us; while presumptuous sinners, after a short prosperity, shall be eternally miserable. In evil times, therefore, when vice is daring, let us be bold and active in the cause of religion. If the servants of Satan dare to harden one another in sin, why should not Christ’s servants encourage one another in holiness! He will honourably mark, kindly remember, and graciously reward, all our services. THE END OF THE