God reminds Judah that they aren’t keeping their commitment to Him. They were bringing imperfect sacrifices, the Levites weren’t maintaining the standard of their commitment they should have, the men were marrying pagan women, etc., (Malachi 1:10b NLT) “I am not at all pleased with you”. Simply stated, (Malachi 1:6 NLT) “The LORD Almighty says to the priests: "A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. I am your father and master, but where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have despised my name!” and (Malachi 3:7 NLT) “Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my laws and failed to obey them”
Since we are now the priest to God (because of Christ sacrifice the temple veil was torn), now we have the responsibility to help/encourage the people of God maintain their commitment to our God. We have the same responsibilities of communicating God’s word to others, to living holy lives to bring life and peace, revere God, not lie or cheat, walk with God, to live good and righteous lives, turn others from sin, etc. Because “the priests are the messengers of the LORD Almighty”
Israel and Judah intermarried with pagan women, which violated their commitment. God stall maintained His commitment to them, even though they didn’t maintain theirs. God didn’t want them to divorce the wife of their youth, but rather godly children (Malachi 2:15a NLT) “Didn't the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union” God wanted them to guard their marriage because (Malachi 2:16 NLT) “For I hate divorce!”
God informed His people of the future plan to have a messiah (Malachi 3: 1a NLT) “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple.” Even though Israel had neglected their commitment to God, He still wanted them to return and bless them (Malachi 3:10 NLT) “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!” But they countered question asking what’s the purpose of serving God (Malachi 3:14b-15 NLT) “What's the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for our sins? From now on we will say, "Blessed are the arrogant." For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.”
So God reminds them that in the future He will execute judgment (Malachi 3:17b NLT) “On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child”. God will execute judgment on the wicked (Malachi 4:1 NLT) “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. The arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw on that day. They will be consumed like a tree--roots and all.” But the righteous will experience joy (Malachi 4:2 NLT) “the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”
So until we wait for the joy before us, we must give God the respect and honor due to Him. We must maintain our commitments and service to Him.
Since we are now the priest to God (because of Christ sacrifice the temple veil was torn), now we have the responsibility to help/encourage the people of God maintain their commitment to our God. We have the same responsibilities of communicating God’s word to others, to living holy lives to bring life and peace, revere God, not lie or cheat, walk with God, to live good and righteous lives, turn others from sin, etc. Because “the priests are the messengers of the LORD Almighty”
Israel and Judah intermarried with pagan women, which violated their commitment. God stall maintained His commitment to them, even though they didn’t maintain theirs. God didn’t want them to divorce the wife of their youth, but rather godly children (Malachi 2:15a NLT) “Didn't the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union” God wanted them to guard their marriage because (Malachi 2:16 NLT) “For I hate divorce!”
God informed His people of the future plan to have a messiah (Malachi 3: 1a NLT) “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple.” Even though Israel had neglected their commitment to God, He still wanted them to return and bless them (Malachi 3:10 NLT) “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!” But they countered question asking what’s the purpose of serving God (Malachi 3:14b-15 NLT) “What's the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for our sins? From now on we will say, "Blessed are the arrogant." For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.”
So God reminds them that in the future He will execute judgment (Malachi 3:17b NLT) “On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child”. God will execute judgment on the wicked (Malachi 4:1 NLT) “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. The arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw on that day. They will be consumed like a tree--roots and all.” But the righteous will experience joy (Malachi 4:2 NLT) “the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”
So until we wait for the joy before us, we must give God the respect and honor due to Him. We must maintain our commitments and service to Him.
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