A floodgate is a gate that can be opened or closed to admit or exclude water. The floodgates are a last restraint holding back an outpouring of something powerful or substantial. In the book of Malachi, the Israelites and the priests in particular, questioned the love of God for them. God responds by stating that their love for Him has waned and they have defiled and robbed Him in these ways:
- In Worship: by offering blind, lame and impure offerings and sacrifices on the altar. (Malachi 1:1-14)
- With False Teachings: that caused many to stumble, showing partiality and not following God’s laws. (Malachi 2:1-9) Their blessings were cursed because they dishonored God. They were despised and humiliated by the people losing the Covenant of Peace promised to Levi.
- Through Divorce: the literal adultery of the priests and the figurative adultery of Israel against the Lord. Though they covered the altar with tears, God had witnessed their unfaithfulness to their wives. They did violence to the ones they should be protecting. (Malachi 2:10-16)
- Through Injustice: they wearied the Lord by saying that all who do evil are good in the sight of the Lord, and where is the God of justice? (Malachi 2:17)
- By Speaking Arrogantly Against God: saying it’s futile/useless to serve God and follow His requirements when evildoers are prospering and getting away with it. (Malachi 3:13-14)
- By Withholding Tithes and Offerings: He calls for them to repent/return to Him and stop robbing Him in tithes and offerings. Dishonoring God as their priority in worship led to lack in God’s storehouse and brought a curse of devouring to the entire nation. (Malachi 3:6-10)
He says, put Me to the test by bringing ALL the tithes and offerings back to My house, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates or windows of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” He also promises protection, “I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vines in your fields will not drop the fruit before it is ripe. And all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land, says the LORD Almighty.”
There are floodgates in Heaven that open and close at God’s command. They are the last restraint before the outpouring of God’s substantial blessing! There is also a restraint in the earth: our disobedience to God’s commands and whether we will worship Him. When our gates are closed, we prohibit God from opening His gates of favor and power. Could you be blocking your blessing?
God promises to send His Messenger, who is coming to clean house. He’s going to put them on trial. He’s going to refine, wash and purify them for: defrauding the laborer in their wages, oppressing orphans and widows, depriving foreigners of justice, and having no reverence for God. (Malachi 3:1-5) But there was a remnant in Israel who still feared the Lord, and spoke to one another and God listened to them. God remembered them and promised to spare them on the day He would act in judgment. He would put a distinction between the righteous and the wicked. (Malachi 3:16-18) To those who revered His name, the Sun of Righteousness (Jesus) would come with healing, restoration and covenant renewal in His wings. He would restore their joy, judge the wicked, cause them to triumph over their enemies and bring reconciliation between fathers and children, and children and fathers. (Malachi 4:1-5)
So much of Scripture involves conditions of If… and Then. Isaiah told Israel, “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” (Isaiah 1:19-20) We want God to bless us without restraint, but what are we holding back?
