Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons Malachi 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers you are gone away from my ordinances, and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you… God comes to His people. His purpose is to refine, purify, and save; and to judge and witness against wrong-doing. God's blessings are given conditionally. Observe — I. THE DUTY. "Return unto me." 1. the words imply distance from God. The cause is sin. Sin deepens and widens the difference between God and man. Sin put away, God and man are one. 2. Return to a recognisation of neglected duty. 3. Return with a fixed purpose in all things to conform to God's will. II. THE PROMISE. "I will return unto you." 1. God's promises are many. 2. God's promises are great. 3. God's promises are precious. 4. God's promises are encouraging. To the weak, afflicted, troubled, unfortunate; yea, to the erring and sinful. III. THE CONFIRMATION. "Saith the Lord." 1. The authority. "The Lord." 2. The confidence it inspires. 3. The action it should prompt. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? |
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