He is Coming! Gleaning from Malachi 3:1-5

Malachi....the last prophet of the Old Testament...before "The Story" begins....the Christ-Child...born in a manger.....

 It was the time of rebuilding for the people of Israel....around 425 B.C. The last couple of centuries...almost 200 years...have been rough for the Israelites.
 Around 650 B.C., the Assyrians came and basically destroyed the nation of Israel. Jerusalem was ransacked, and the people of Israel were transported to Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrians..and became their slaves. The Assyrian Dynasty was well -known...some historians claim they were "Rulers of the World" for almost 1000 years. All 12 tribes of Israel were led away captive to Nineveh, with only a handful left in the homeland.
    And the Assyrians were a ruthless people when it came to war.....

  In the Sacred Scriptures, we have been taught much about how the 12 tribes of Israel, under the leadership of Moses, were led out of Egypt, the story of the Red Sea, the 40 years in the desert, and of course, Israel reaching the Promised Land. The Promised Land was designated in such a way so each tribe was given  a specific area. The 12 tribes were: Reuben, Issachar, Zebulon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Simeon, Manasseh, Ephraim, Benjamin, and Judah. 

 How devastating was the Assyrian conquest of Israel...and the Promised land? Well, after the Israelites from the 12 tribes were led off into slavery to Nineveh...10 of Israel's 12 tribes...never returned! Only Ephraim and Judah returned to the Homeland, and to this day, the 10 tribes are called: "The Lost 10 Tribes of Israel".
 Then, the Mighty Assyria, due to weak kings and government, were defeated by...Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The Israelites were transported to Babylon...and continued to be slaves...to others. And again, weak kings and poor government caused the Babylonian Empire to be defeated...this time by Cyrus...the King of Persia...and it was there the Israelites got a "break". Cyrus shown favor toward the remnant of the Israelites, and allowed them to return...to their Promised land. The tribes of Ephraim and Judah, under the leadership of Nehemiah...returned, and began the rebuilding...of Jerusalem.

  Here in the Book of Malachi, the Israelites have been in their homeland for approximately 100 years. Their hearts are callous toward the Lord, they had been exposed to various pagan forms of worship, and they have failed to live according to the Commandments ushered in through God's servant Moses. 
 Malachi...whose name in Hebrew means "Messenger"...now is the oracle that comes from the Lord God...to His people. Other prophets...Joel, Habakkuk, Nehemiah, Ezra, etc. have been God's oracles as well...encouraging the people of Israel to return their hearts...to become tender toward the God who loved them.

 There were basically 6 arguments the Israelites brought before Him. The Israelites were a very expressive people...and did not shy away from their thoughts and feelings toward the Lord their God...whether their hearts were right...or not.
 Here then are the 6 basic arguments:
1. God speaks through His prophet and says: "I love you." Israel responds: "Really?...and have You even noticed our dilemma...in the last 200 years?"
2. God speaks through His prophet and says:" You take the time to honor your own relatives...yet your lifestyles...refuse to honor Me." Israel responds: " Don't we go to the Temple (church)...Don't we honor You each week?"
3. God speaks through His prophet and says: " You have no respect for the Commandments I have given you." Israel responds (Note: adultery, extra marital affairs, and divorce were quite prevalent during this time among the Israelites): " If You are referring to how we treat our women....what does that have to do with You?"
4. God speaks through His prophet and says: "I am weary of your attitude...and your lifestyles...they violate everything I stand for." Israel responds: " What exactly are we doing that makes You so upset?"
5. God speaks through His prophet and says: "You rob Me...not only in your offerings but look at how you mistreat your poor...and those that are helpless." Israel responds: " Well...that is news! We didn't know someone could...rob God."
6. God speaks through His prophet and says: " You speak malicious gossip against Me...things that are false and full of lies." Israel responds: " God...lighten up!...cheer up! We are not all that bad!"

 Yet...God is a God full of Mercy! A Gleaning from Malachi 3: 1-5:

 " I am the Lord...the All-Powerful One...and I am sending you My messenger...to prepare things...to clear out the way...for Me! I am coming...and I am coming straight to you! My coming could be abrupt...in fact it may be a surprise to some of you. You have been coming to the Temple (church)...for years. Your parents...even your grandparents have been coming to your place of worship...and then one day... I AM here...right in your midst!
 You will look at one another and say: "Oh My God...it's Him!...He is here...the Lord of all Heaven's Armies, the very God-of-the- Angel Armies."

 And now, the real questions will arise. Who can even stand as we make our way into His Presence? His appearance looks like "white-hot" coals, His soap is strong and able to wash out any stain.
 He now takes His position...and refines us...like one does silver...removing the dross from our lives. His focus is on the priests, the sons of Levi, refining them like gold and silver. After the refining is complete, the offerings that are brought to Me...will be genuine...coming from your hearts...like in the Ancient Days.

 Then, the Lord of All will declare the trial to begin... the time of judgment is at hand. Bring forth your cases against Me...and I will testify for Myself against those things you have learned to depend on: your daily lifestyles that depend on practices...that originate in witchcraft, adultery that that has become an acceptable lifestyle, and perjury in its many forms in your lives: cheating others of their hard earned labor and mistreating others with malicious gossip.
 I will then look upon your widows and your orphans, I will look and see how you treat foreigners who wish to make their home here...just like your ancestors did! I will look into all these matters of the heart...and see for Myself those who have respect for Me...this is the message of the God-of-the-Angel Armies."