The Pulpit Commentary — Malachi — Section 9

instructive though imperfect. Neither the most absolute master nor the moat affectionate father can adequat.ely represent God. Yet God reminds us o[ the reveronce due to himself from the fear and h6riour expected by them. The appeal should be mosL pvwerful to those who, like the priests here appealed to, are i-n any positi,oQB of nuthori-ty. It should be a most tender plea to all parents. It falls in tones of deepest pathos on those who have received the adoption and the spirit of sons through Jesus Christ. But the appeal binds .all to whom in any sense God stands in the so.ored relations of" the Father of spirits" (Exod. iv. 22; Deut. xxxii. 6; Isa. lxi'ii, 16; ]xiv. 8). We assume the case of a father who combines that wise authority and teader love which makes him a type of the heavenly Father. A son honoureth such-a father- I. BY OBEDIENCE. This is the first lesson a child must learn. Mter the .early conflicts with self-wi.11, it becomes part of the child-nature. It may rise to self-denial or even heroic self-sacrifice. Illust. : Henry Havelock, as a boy, waiting for hourij in a crowded street of London, in obedience to his father, who had forgotten. him; or Casa Bianca's son blown up in the French flag-ship at the Battle of the Nile. ; God is greatly honoured when our obedience is habitual and cheerful,. when we "worship" the "sweet will of God," and can say, "I delight,''. etc. (_Ps. xl. 8; cxix.128). . , IL BY LOVE. The instinctive love of a.n infant makes way for the, iutelligent affection, founded on esteem, which the youth feels towards .a father who,h.as ti:ained him in habits of obedience. Disobedience begets dislike; submission strengthens love. The pruning and training of wise discipline is rewarded by the copious fruits of lo'l"e. We most honour God when our love is not merely t.he love of gratitude even for redemption, but of complacent delight in the character of our Father. In that character there are no flaws such as a partial son may nevertheless see in.his earthly father (Jas. i. 17). Let him not have to say John v. 42. ., III. BY REGARD TO BIS REPUTATION, A boy's eye flashes with indignation if a stranger assails his father's reputation. How do we regard the dishonour done to God by profanity, by reckless criticisms on his character aod government, and on the work of Christ (" The Father wounded through the Son")? Can we say, with Christ, "The reproaches," etc. (Ps. J.xix. 9)? Let us beware, however, of the zeal of a Jehu (2 Kings L 16-31) or cJ the Pharisees (Matt. xxili. 15). Let. our .li,es be answers to our prayers," Hallowed be thy Name." , . IT. BY UPHOLDING BIS AUTHORITY. 1. When it has to be exercised in discipline on ourselves (Heb. xii. 5-11). 2. When it is resisted by others. There is a rebellion in the great family of God which requires every true child to take an active part on the side of God. While grieved (Ps. cxix. 158) and indignant (fs. cxxxix,1 21), we shall yet be labourers together with God, ,that in the spirit of the sinle~s Son we may seek by!.!~ means to save some (1 Pet. iv. 10, 11). Vers. 7, 8.-Irreverence~ts causes and signB. Notice how in many places Malachi puts the thoughts of sinner& into bold an<l bald words. He interprets their conduct in speech, that they may see the offensiveness of their thoughts and acts. Sins of. the heart may sometimes be best exposed by tram;lating them into.unsubmissive or eveu impious prayers. They cannot enduxe the light. when they are paraded in speech under the scrutiny of our fellow-men. Still less can they tolerate the brightness,that proceeds from the throne of gra,ce, where God seeth in secret, that he may answer him "that setteth up his idols in his heart" "according to the multitude of his idols" (Ezek. xiv. 3, 4). In this section the irreverence of the priests and people is exposed by the prophet calling things by their right names. Note- L SoME oF THE CA.USES oF IBBEV.EBE1l'CE. 1. Inadequate views of the holiness of God and the sinfulness of men. We forget the names and tithis of the God with whom we have to do-" Jehovah," "Lord of hosts," "Master," "Father," "a great King," " glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, .doing wonders," etc. We forget our own utter sinfulness and unworthiness as" d~t and ashes," "the imagination o{ whose heart is evil from our youth," to have any intercourse with the Thrice-holy One (cf. Job ::x.l. 3-5). If it is hard to appreciate this, we may be helped by the contrast lietween what we see in the characters of Christ and of ourselves. Illust.: Peter (Lukt: v. 8). 2. Familiarity with sacred things. It may "breed contempt." 'l'he altar au<l itb offorillgs were regarded as cowmoup!acc or even despicable objects. 'l'he OIJ, I, 1-14.] THE BOOK OF MALACHI. 7