Printer Friendly VersionToday we continue with our sermon series that deals with the
core values of our church. The beauty of a series on core values is that we
have the opportunity to review systematically some of the most important needs
of our congregation. After previously studying the core values of love, worship,
and leadership, no core value is more relevant than the topic of today’s
lesson, Core Value # 4: Relationships.
Family needs are huge in today’s society. I want to take
full advantage of this subject matter in an attempt to strengthen our marriage
and family relationships. In a day where Desperate Housewives defines a culture,
a sermon detailing the need for “desperate commitment” in family
relationships is a priority.
Today’s text is similar in style to all of Malachi’s
prophecy. He issues a stern indictment against the people of God, in order
to show the need for greater attention and commitment to the respective subject.
“Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with
one another? Judah has broken faith” (2:10-11). The infidelity of God’s
people had become habitual. Once again, after being delivered from foreign
bondage, they shackle themselves by intermarrying with pagan groups and profaning
the holy sanctuary. The punishment was swift and severe: “As for the
man who does this, whoever he may be, may the Lord cut him off from the tents
of Jacob” (2:12).
Let’s look with optimism at the core value of relationships.
As God’s people we have been called to a higher standard.
There really is a high road of holy living to which we are directed. This
“difference” should permeate the whole of our lives, especially
our relationships. Throughout their early history God instructed His people
to demonstrate purity in their earthly relationships by marrying within their
race and culture. Time and time again they broke this command. The prophet
records this unfaithfulness: “A detestable thing has been committed
in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves,
by marrying the daughter of a foreign god” (2:11).
When we conform to the world’s loose definitions of marriage
and family relationships, and develop a mindset of “everybody’s
doing it,” we have forfeited the distinctiveness of our doctrine being
played out in everyday life. As Christians we are not to be like everyone
else. We are literally different by design. Jesus said, “You are the
salt of the earth . . . You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14).
I am not advocating an arrogant, holier-than-thou attitude about
your marriage and family relationships. But I am admonishing you to allow
your relationship with a holy God to manifest itself, and reveal itself, in
all of your earthly relationships. The Apostle Paul commented on this distinctiveness
when he said, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do
righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light
have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). It’s amazing, isn’t
it? The same message Malachi thundered in the Old Testament, Paul is preaching
in the New Testament: “Therefore come out from them and be separate,
says the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17). We really are different by God’s
design and intention.
That’s the optimistic view of how relationships should be. Let’s look quickly however, at the view of what was taking place in Malachi’s day, as well as ours:
Remember the historical context of Malachi? After returning
from Persian exile and experiencing an initial revival of temple worship and
righteous living, the people of God grew apathetic and complacent. Shortcuts
were being taken. “Sick cows” were being offered as sacrifices
unto God. The priests were taking bribes from the people, and family relationships
had been compromised. It’s a pathetic picture of a people who obviously
have lost their way. They have their mind on something else. They are disillusioned
by dollars.
“Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar
with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your
offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands” (2:13). The
prophet is simply saying God cannot be bought! A sad saga is being played
out in sequence. The chronology of these core values in absentia is striking.
A neglected first love, followed by a less than sincere worship, led by corrupt
priests, produces major disharmony and disillusionment in the House of God,
as well as in family relationships.
Jesus said it with unmistaken clarity in the Sermon on the Mount:
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew
6:21). You talk about core values! We’re now talking about the affection
of your heart. What you value in life ultimately shows up on the countenance
of your spouse and your children. Sadly, many marriages are just endured,
not enjoyed. Tragically, many children are neglected by parents in pursuit
of the almighty dollar.
The people in Malachi’s hearing acted stunned that God
would not accept their pathetic worship: “You ask, ‘Why?’”
(2:14). God answers that question, and in doing so reiterates the need for
purity in all of our relationships. “It is because the Lord is acting
as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken
faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant”
(2:14).
As Christians we are to be different by design in our relationships. Unfortunately, the reality of many homes and families reveals we are disillusioned by dollars. God’s response is that if we have not truly given Him our hearts we can keep our money! He will not be bought. Finally, let’s consider the pessimistic view of this lesson.
The truest application of this text is a spiritual interpretation.
“‘I hate divorce,’ says the Lord God of Israel, ‘and
I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,’
says the Lord Almighty. ‘So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not
break faith with the wife of your youth’” (2:16). The cause for
broken earthly relationships is preceded by spiritual adultery.
A common thread through the Old Testament is the infidelity
of the people of God. Vows of faithfulness to Yahweh God were made at critical
points in the history of the nation of Israel; however, time and time again
they “played the harlot” with foreign gods. Their self-proclaimed
justification was normally instant gratification for a selfish need, all the
while saying to God, “What have you done for me lately?”
We must guard our family relationships. Moms, the best thing
you can do for your children is love their Daddy. Dads, the best thing you
can do for your children is love their Mommy. We must overcome the temptations
of a sinful society in order to protect the ones we love. Divorce destroys
relationships.
This prophecy is a call to repentance. It really is the old
camp meeting message, “Turn or burn!” There are consequences to
our sin. You cannot have it both ways: “I hate a man’s covering
himself with violence as well as with his own garment” (2:16). Sin (violence)
and Holiness (pure garment) do not integrate. God’s people know better.
Our theology can be as straight as a gun barrel, and just as hollow. Cover
up does not count.Conclusion
As we close this sermon today on the core value of relationships,
let me just re-emphasize the connection between the earthly and the spiritual.
If I am in a wrong earthly relationship, it affects my heavenly relationship.
If I am in a wrong relationship with my earthly sister, it has a negative
effect on the relationship with my heavenly Father. The horizontal relationship
must be right in order for the vertical to be right, and vice versa.
Are your relationships in order?
