Malachi 1
Today's Passage: Malachi 1
Have you ever questioned God? Not necessarily the truth of his words, but maybe the goodness of his actions? This is how Malachi leads off in his prophetic message to the Israelites.
Malachi was most likely a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah. This book was written before the intertestamental period between the Old and New Testaments, a time of around 400 years where God was silent to the people of Israel.
Here’s how the ESV Study Bible describes the theme of this book:
“Malachi’s contemporaries may have been free from blatant idolatry (though see 2:11) and relatively orthodox in their beliefs, but theirs had become a dead orthodoxy. They were all too ready to make ethical compromises and to dilute the strenuous demands of proper worship. In response to the cynicism and religious malaise of his contemporaries, Malachi’s prophecy comes as a wake-up call to renewed covenant fidelity.”
There are two big things to take from the opening chapter of this book.
First, to the questioning of God’s goodness and character, he answers in verse 5, “Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, ‘Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!’” This is showing the extent of God’s power and sovereignty. But we must also acknowledge that the sovereignty of God cannot be divorced from his goodness. Both are true at all times.
Second, in verses 6-14, a topic is broached that is applicable for us: how do we really approach God? In our worship? In our work? In our thoughts and desires? Do we really give God our best?
These verses expose the people of Israel’s tendency to give God second or third best; to pay lip service to God but not true worship. Israel’s warning is ours as well—are we honoring God in our hearts? Is he preeminent in our lives? Does he rule and reign completely, or do we simply allow him to rule and reign when we feel like it?
God is a great king (v. 14) and therefore deserves our devotion and worship. Make the choice to worship God completely.
Written By: Graham Withers
Have you ever questioned God? Not necessarily the truth of his words, but maybe the goodness of his actions? This is how Malachi leads off in his prophetic message to the Israelites.
Malachi was most likely a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah. This book was written before the intertestamental period between the Old and New Testaments, a time of around 400 years where God was silent to the people of Israel.
Here’s how the ESV Study Bible describes the theme of this book:
“Malachi’s contemporaries may have been free from blatant idolatry (though see 2:11) and relatively orthodox in their beliefs, but theirs had become a dead orthodoxy. They were all too ready to make ethical compromises and to dilute the strenuous demands of proper worship. In response to the cynicism and religious malaise of his contemporaries, Malachi’s prophecy comes as a wake-up call to renewed covenant fidelity.”
There are two big things to take from the opening chapter of this book.
First, to the questioning of God’s goodness and character, he answers in verse 5, “Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, ‘Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!’” This is showing the extent of God’s power and sovereignty. But we must also acknowledge that the sovereignty of God cannot be divorced from his goodness. Both are true at all times.
Second, in verses 6-14, a topic is broached that is applicable for us: how do we really approach God? In our worship? In our work? In our thoughts and desires? Do we really give God our best?
These verses expose the people of Israel’s tendency to give God second or third best; to pay lip service to God but not true worship. Israel’s warning is ours as well—are we honoring God in our hearts? Is he preeminent in our lives? Does he rule and reign completely, or do we simply allow him to rule and reign when we feel like it?
God is a great king (v. 14) and therefore deserves our devotion and worship. Make the choice to worship God completely.
Written By: Graham Withers
No Comments