THE CURSE
TEXT: Malachi 2: 2 W. Max Alderman
INTRODUCTION: The first verse tells us of the “burden of the Lord”. In this message, I will show you why the Lord was burdened as he was. The people and the priests had backslidden and become mechanical in their worship of the Lord. Because of this, a curse came upon the people. The meaning and the history of this curse goes back to the giving of the law and it also ties back to the Palestinian Covenant with the “if-but” principle.
I. THE REASON FOR THE CURSE…
A. The Pollution of the Offerings. (Vv. 1:7,8;12-14)
B. The Partiality of the Priests. (2:1-9)
C. The Perverting of Their Marriages. (2:10-17)
D. The Problems with Their Money. (3:5-12)
II. THE RESULTS OF THE CURSE… (cf. Deuteronomy 27, 28 for all of the below)
A. It Will Bring A Curse On Your Families.
B. It Will Bring A Curse Upon Your Finances.
C. It Will Bring A Curse Upon Your Future.
III. THE REMOVING OF THE CURSE… (V. 3:7)
A. This Happens When You Repent. (3:7a.) “ye are gone away”
B. This Happens When You Return. (3:7b.) “Return unto me”
IV. THE REJOICING AFTER THE CURSE… IS REMOVED.
A. Your Will Have Blessings from the Lord. (Vv. 10, 11)
B. You Will Have Blessings Upon The Land. (V.12) “Ye shall be a delightsome land”
CONCLUSION: You do not need to suffer a curse upon your life when the Lord is more than anxious to bring a blessing upon your life. You must be mindful that this blessing is yours when you exercise faithful obedience to His Word.
