Malachi 1:6 - Homiletics

The reverence due to God.

Earthly analogies to Divine relationships are instructive though imperfect. Neither the most absolute master nor the most affectionate father can adequately represent God. Yet God reminds us of the reverence due to himself from the fear and honour expected by them. The appeal should be most powerful to those who, like the priests here appealed to, are in any positions of authority. 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 sacred relations of "the Father of spirits" ( Exodus 4:22 ; Deuteronomy 32:6 ; Isaiah 63:16 ; Isaiah 64:8 ). We assume the case of a father who combines that wise authority and tender 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. After the early conflicts with self-will, 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 hours 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. ( Psalms 40:8 ; Psalms 119:128 ).

II. BY LOVE . The instinctive love of an infant makes way for the intelligent affection, founded on esteem, which the youth feels towards a father who has trained 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 love. We most honour God when our love is not merely the 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 ( James 1:17 ). Let him not have to say John 5:42 .

III. BY REGARD TO HIS 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 and government, and on the work of Christ ("The Father wounded through the Son")? Can we say, with Christ, "The reproaches," etc. ( Psalms 69:9 )? Let us beware, however, of the zeal of a Jehu ( 2 Kings 10:16-31 ) or of the Pharisees ( Matthew 23:15 ). Let our lives he answers to our prayers, "Hallowed be thy Name."

IV. BY UPHOLDING HIS AUTHORITY .

1 . When it has to be exercised in discipline on ourselves ( Hebrews 12:5-11 ).

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 ( Psalms 119:158 ) and indignant ( Psalms 139:21 ), we shall yet be labourers together with God, that in the spirit of the sinless Son we may seek by all means to save some ( 1 Peter 4:10 , 1 Peter 4:11 ).