Is God with Us or Against Us?
The Silence Between the Testaments
In our English Bible, the Old and the New Covenant writings are separated. Usually it is a single page. Mostly blank. The only thing my page says is, “The NEW TESTAMENT.” This page does not say much. Nor did God in this time in history. Some refer to this time between the Testaments as “the silent period.”
The book of Malachi is the last of the 12 Old Covenant books under the Minor Prophet section. James Montgomery Boice says, “Malachi describes that modern attitude of mind that considers man superior to God and that has the audacity to attempt to bring God down to earth and measure Him by the yardstick of human morality.”
At the time Malachi was prophesying, the people of Israel have forgotten who the LORD is. They have exchanged the glory of God for something lesser. An idol. Formed and fashioned after their own image and likeness. This is seen in their worship. The way they approach God. In the things that they do and also in the things that they don’t do.
The book ends with two proclamations. The first is speaking of the righteous. Those who fear the LORD.
“They shall be Mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up My treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve Him.” (Malachi 3:17, ESV)
The second speaks of the wicked.
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1)
The Old Testament canon closes. Then, 400 years of silence follow before the voice of God is heard again through a prophet.
A Voice Breaks the Silence
The Gospel account of Matthew records God breaking the silence. God speaks to Joseph through an angel,
“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel’ (Which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:22-23)
The people of Israel thought they knew God. Their attitudes of worship indicate that they did NOT know Him. They were looking to the temple, the sacrifices, the offerings, the tithes, the priests. To the religious activities. Rather than to God. Thinking that God is somehow pleased with them because of their activities. Activities done by going through the motions, not from their hearts.
Like so many of the prophets before, Malachi reveals that God is NOT pleased. Not at all. The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). It never did. Thus, the author of Hebrews says,
“Consequently, when Christ came into the world, He said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but a body You prepared for Me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings You have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God, as it is written of Me in the scroll of the Book.”’ (Hebrews 10:5-7)
Jesus, came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). He accomplished this by offering Himself “for all time a single sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:12). God spoke through the prophet Malachi saying,
“They shall be Mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up My treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.” (Malachi 3:17b)
Saved By Grace Through Christ
God spares us because He did not spare His one and only Son. God gave Him up for us all (Romans 8:32). The only One who walked this earth in perfect obedience, God made sin, that we might know His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Outside of Christ, God is not pleased with us. Nor is He pleased with our religiosity. God is pleased with His Son. Jesus is not dead. Christ was raised up on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:4). And,
“He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet.” (Hebrews 10:12b-13)
Anyone who is found outside of Christ on the great and terrible day of the LORD will be consumed. Malachi says, “The day is coming.” Are you right with God through Jesus Christ? Be reconciled to God today! If you are, then go and proclaim this message of reconciliation to those who are still dead in their sin.
For those who are God’s treasured possession because they have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb: He is Immanuel. God with us. (For more on the Names of God, click here.)
But for those who are wicked, lawless, and who act as if God has not given any commands to live by, be warned: God is NOT with you for your benefit, but against you in your sins (Nahum 1:2).
As you contemplate the glory and wonder of the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, don’t be deceived. Don’t fail to recognize the weight of the glorious truth that God sent His beloved Son into the world to give His life as a ransom for many. To take His life back up again on the third day. To take His seat at the right hand of glory. And to return in glory to gather His people and crush His adversaries under His feet.
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36)