On March 3, 1974, Brother Stephen delivered a message in Richmond, Virginia, focusing on the book of Malachi. He emphasized God's love for Israel, as expressed in Malachi 1:1-5, where God contrasts His love for Jacob with His rejection of Esau. Stephen discussed the historical context of Israel's recovery from Babylonian captivity, highlighting the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, and the prophetic roles of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. He noted the spiritual decline of the Jewish remnant after their initial enthusiasm for rebuilding the temple, leading to various sins, including neglecting the Levites and violating the Sabbath. Stephen pointed out that Malachi's prophecies addressed these issues, urging the people to recognize God's enduring love and their need for repentance. He drew parallels between the historical context of Malachi and the present day, urging believers to appreciate God's love and avoid becoming insensitive to it. The message concluded with a call for self-examination and a return to first love, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a genuine relationship with God.
Introduction to Malachi and God's love for Israel
Historical context of Israel's recovery from Babylon
Leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua
Role of prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi
Spiritual decline of the Jewish remnant
Malachi's call for repentance and recognition of God's love
Parallels between Malachi's time and the present day
Call for self-examination and restoration of first love
1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. 2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, 3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. 4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. 5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.
6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.