Short Reflection from Malachi 1-4

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[9:02 pm, 05/03/2022] S.R: 𝕄𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕚 𝟙:𝟚

“"I have loved you," says the LORD. But you say, "How have You loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob;"”

If people doubt or question the love of God, no wonder they will question others. Sometimes, it's we who don't understand people's love for us.

When a gf or wife complains that her bf or husband doesn't love her much. Maybe it's true, but sometimes, it's the complainer who doesn't understand.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕚 𝟚:𝟙-𝟚

“"And now this commandment is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name," says the LORD of hosts, "then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart."”

Priests and pastors have one main duty—to teach the people to honor the name of Yahweh! When they don't do that, it's time for them to step down and go sell drugs or rob a bank for a living!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕚 𝟛:𝟡-𝟙𝟘

“"You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows."”

Hopefully, we all are faithful in our giving to God.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕚 𝟜:𝟞

"He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse."

The last word of the last verse of the last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament ended with a warning word "curse"

Last word matters. There must be a lot of warnings even in today's world!

Bible Reading Reflection from Malachi 1-4

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝕄𝔸𝕃𝔸ℂℍ𝕀 𝟙:𝟙𝟙

"‘For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations,’ says the LORD of hosts."

What a wonderful assertion is this! It's a must! It's a reality but unfortunately yet to realize. We have never seen it in history and certainly not this time. Actually, Gandhi or Modi is greater than God in power, popularity, and help in the perception of Indians now.

A day is coming when everyone will not only acknowledge God but call on Him! And how blessed is a man who acknowledges and calls upon Him even before that day, which is now!

And how blessed is the one whose passion is to make the name of God great! Indeed, "for the fame of God's name" has been my WhatsApp Profile status description for quite some time.

How do we do that? By teaching people to know God and fear Him. To Christians, that's through discipleship. To non-Christians, that's through evangelism. To all, that's through our Christian conduct. Our conduct is demonstrated by our characters. Characters are formed by spiritual discipline wrought unto us by the help of the Spirit!

 

𝕄𝔸𝕃𝔸ℂℍ𝕀 𝟚:𝟙𝟞

“‘For I hate divorce,’ says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘and him who covers his garment with wrong,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.’”

God is known for love, but Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament reveals to us that God is known for hate as well.

Chapter 1 says that He hated Esau.

And in this chapter 2, it is written that He hates divorce!

 

𝕄𝔸𝕃𝔸ℂℍ𝕀 𝟛:𝟙𝟞

"Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name."

Two descriptions of those whose names are in the book: "Those who fear Yahweh" and "Those who Esteem His Name"

Can those be said of us? Sure, I hope so. But it pierces our hearts to increase our fear of God and to esteem His name.

Don't we want to make the name of God famous? Don't we want people to call on the name of God in adoration, instead of "OMG"?

 

𝕄𝔸𝕃𝔸ℂℍ𝕀 𝟜:𝟚-𝟛

"‘But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,’ says the LORD of hosts."

🎼🎼

We shall overcome,

We shall overcome,

We shall overcome someday!

Oh! Deep in the plan of God, it's decreed, that we shall overcome someday. 🎼🎼