Malachi 3:14 You have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance… The charge here is, that they who sin, prosper. A similar complaint common to all ages. God takes it as a charge against Himself. I. THE CHARGE. Those who profess to serve God complain that there is no "profit." They are not happy — not blessed. What is the inference? That the proud, the self-willed, self-confident, self-complacent, are "happy." "The tempters of God," who practically set Him at defiance — dare Him to do the worst — are delivered. Happiness and visible advantage are connected with rebellion. II. EXAMINE THE FACTS. 1. The religion itself is not that which God requires, and which He has promised to bless. 2. The happiness is only fleshly, imperfect. The deliverance is present and temporal. The happiness is not true — not of She whole man. See the true servant of God; pardoned, spiritually renewed, glorifying God in body and spirit. See him in the peace and joy of his soul. See him walking under the guardianship of providence. Dying in hope. Carried to Abraham's bosom. Accepted in the judgment. Admitted into heaven. Will you say then, "It is vain to serve God," and that there is no profit in walking before Him? (G. Cubitt.) Parallel Verses KJV: Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? |
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