Malachi was the last of the 12 minor prophets. Near the end of his book, he talked about the forerunner of God.
Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts (Malachi 3:1).
God would come and pass judgment on those who did not keep His commandments.
It is interesting to read that God would suddenly come to His Temple. About 100 years before Malachi took up the office of a Prophet, Ezra organized the remnant, who had returned from the Babylonian Captivity, to rebuild the Temple. They did not have kings anymore. Then, priests took up greater authority and virtually rule the nation from the Temple. Abuses and corruptions crept in and Malachi criticised them.
True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.
For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts(Malachi 2:6-8).
Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts (Malachi 3:1).
God would come and pass judgment on those who did not keep His commandments.
It is interesting to read that God would suddenly come to His Temple. About 100 years before Malachi took up the office of a Prophet, Ezra organized the remnant, who had returned from the Babylonian Captivity, to rebuild the Temple. They did not have kings anymore. Then, priests took up greater authority and virtually rule the nation from the Temple. Abuses and corruptions crept in and Malachi criticised them.
True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.
For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts(Malachi 2:6-8).
When Jesus came to the Temple, he was annoyed by the market scene. Jesus took actions and drove out the merchants.
And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.
and he would not allow any one to carry anything through the temple.
And he taught, and said to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." (Mark 11:15-17)
Jesus combined the teaching of two prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah, to teach the people that the Temple is a house of prayer for all nations and condemn the priests for their mismanagement of the Temple.
And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.
and he would not allow any one to carry anything through the temple.
And he taught, and said to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." (Mark 11:15-17)
Jesus combined the teaching of two prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah, to teach the people that the Temple is a house of prayer for all nations and condemn the priests for their mismanagement of the Temple.
The Jews suffered an unprecedented trauma when the Temple was burned down by the Romans in 70 A.D. God seems not to show favour anymore for His house in Jerusalem because of the fault of the priests. Christianity was able to expand and fill up the vacuum left by Judaism. They believe that their churches all over the world have replaced the sacred Temple in Jerusalem. Nowadays, the hope of rebuilding the Temple is going to be slim because on the site of the Temple Mount has been built a Muslim mosque --- The Dome of Rock.
St. Paul has developed the theology of the Mystical Body of Jesus, and identified the Church with this Body. He also made use of the image of man and wife to describe the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32).
Imagine what the reactions of Jesus would be when he suddenly visits one of the Churches on earth. I am sure buying and selling things in the Church does not bother Jesus so much. Rather, it is the mismanagement of the Church and the failure of the priests to instruct the believers.
Malachi serves as a reminder for us not to be complacent.
Imagine what the reactions of Jesus would be when he suddenly visits one of the Churches on earth. I am sure buying and selling things in the Church does not bother Jesus so much. Rather, it is the mismanagement of the Church and the failure of the priests to instruct the believers.
Malachi serves as a reminder for us not to be complacent.
Dear Lord, life in the parish may not be perfect. Forgive our shortcomings. Strengthen my soul and open up my heart so that I may learn the proper way to instruct Your people. Amen.
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