Scripture: Malachi 1: 6-7

“A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.  “It is you priests who show contempt for my name.  “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’  “By offering defiled food on my altar.  “But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’  “By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible.

Scripture Commentary: Give the Lord the honor he deserves

Are you worshipping the lord out of faith; giving him honor, thanking him and giving him praise? Or, are you worshipping him in hopes of getting something in return?

In your offerings, do you give God what is his, or are you giving him the smaller portion?

Keep in mind, all is God’s.  What you have, he has given to you. God’s law requires only perfect goods from you, not your leftovers. If you give God your leftover time, money, and energy, then you repeat the same sin as those worshipers in Malachi’s time. They didn’t want to bring anything valuable to God.

What you offer to God reflects the honor you give Him.

Your way of giving shows your real Christian self.  Give God only the best you have, not only the material things but also your time. God gave you his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, because he loves you. In return, give the best of yourself and love Him.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Malachi Chapter 1

Scripture: Malachi 3: 1-6

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.  But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:  And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.  Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.  And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

 

Scripture Commentary:  The messenger comes to prepare the way for the Messiah

This chapter opening tells of the coming of John the Baptist and of the Messiah. God prepares the way before me that leads me to Him.  John prepared the people. The Messiah will return. Pursuing faith refines us like metal, melting away our impurities.

Refinement exposes the reflection of our lives to those around us.   During the refining process a child of God appears Christ-like.  When we read and apply the Word of God, Jesus tells and shows us the pure life that we have with and in Him.

God is always loyal to us in his patience although we have disobeyed and scorned His laws. He accepts our return. God is ready to return to us if we are willing to return to him.

God never leaves us.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Malachi Chapter 3

Scripture: Malachi 4: 1-2

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Scripture Commentary:

Behold, are you prepared to receive our Lord Jesus Christ today? Malachi closes his messages by pointing to the final day of judgment. For those who are committed to God, judgment day will be a day of joy, the day eternity in God’s presence begins. Those who have ignored God will not like judgment day.

If you have ignored God, you must change your way of living. Turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. In asking for mercy you must repent; change your sinful way of living.

Christians must help by being faithful to the love, honor, and respect in teaching others the ways of our Lord. God is our healing warmth. His warmth will never burn out.

Malachi ends the Old Testament by calling us to turn to God and prepare the way for others to serve him as he has served you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Malachi Chapter 4