Malachi 3:1-6
The Coming Messenger
I will send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. He is coming, says the Lord of Hosts.
But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them like gold and silver, and they will present to the Lord offerings in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against the perjurers, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who turn aside the stranger, and do not fear Me, says the Lord of Hosts.
Withholding Tithes
For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Dead Prayer
God is not moved to action by dead prayer. Heaven is ignited by prayer that is on fire. God desires for us to give Him our best. He is not interested in our leftovers. Anything less than our “firstfruits” is dead in God’s eyes. (See Proverbs 3:9.) God expressed His displeasure with the Israelites for offering Him only their mediocre, leftover offerings:
You also say, “What a weariness it is,” and you snort at it, says the Lord of Hosts. You bring in what is stolen, the lame, or the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” says the Lord.
—Malachi 1:13
God was not pleased with His people because they brought Him offerings that were lame and sick. Prayer is an offering unto God. God is insulted by lame, sick prayer. Just as God asked the Israelites this question, “Should I accept this lame offering?”, so He lets us know that He will not accept our lame, dead prayers. {eoa}
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