Journal Through the Bible: Week 102 Wednesday

source

Malachi chapter 1

"Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD." (verse 13)

Things do not change very much over time. Many consider it "weariness" to take the time to worship God properly. It's just like us to look for shortcuts so that we can follow our own pursuits.

I like the following verse, though.

"For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts." (verse 11)

What a contrast there is between  these 2 verses!


Does God issue any commands?

• Malachi received a "burden" from the LORD to Israel. It is implied in this that God told Malachi to deliver the message to Israel.
• Malachi delivered a message from the LORD to the wicked priests who offered defiled food and animals for the sacrifices.

Does God make any promises?

• After Edom was wasted they promised to return and rebuild. God promised that He would throw down anything they put together. He called them "the people against whom the LORD hath indignation forever." Israel would be witness to this.
• God promised that He would not accept an offering at the hand of the wicked priests who offered sickly and defiled animals as sacrifices.
• God promised that His name would be great among the Gentiles.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The offerings and sacrifices were to be pure and holy because they represented the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. This is also why the elements we use for the Lord's Supper are to be unleavened since leaven is a symbol of sin. We must keep the Lord's table above contempt.
• Jesus is "the great King" of verse 14.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• God promised to do a great work among the Gentiles "from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same." The sun has not yet set on this work.