Today, we start a new book in our
devotional series—Malachi. Why? Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament.
God put it there for a special reason—It is one of the most practical and
easily applied books in the Old Testament! I believe this book summarizes most
of the major challenges we face as Christians and it is especially applicable
in today’s world. Ironically, Malachi is written to a group of people who were going
through much of what we face today—casual faith, turning from obedience to God
to self-rule, priest deciding the knew more than God, etc. It is a book of
hope, warning, and a reminder that God loves us too much to just let us fail.
I believe it is very important to
note that to really understand Malachi the first message from God in this book
is the authors’ name. Malachi means “message from God.” Malachi’s major job was
to give the people a special message or letter “from God.” Some scholars even
have asked if Malachi was the prophet’s name or an assumed name to clarify the
importance of what was being said. We don’t know the answer to that because the
Bible does not tell us. We do know what the name meant. We know why it was
important to the people of the past and why it is still important to us.
Really, to put the title of the book into modern understanding the book should
just be called—“A message from God.” Wow, that clarifies why this books is so
important!
The first, message is the series
of message from God in Malachi is found in the first two verses. Read verse one
and two below and realize that all the messages God gives us through this book,
must be seen in light of verse two.
Malachi
The
last Old Testament prophet, Malachi faced a nation that had grown indifferent
toward God. He preached to stir their hearts, to turn them from apathy and
renew their commitment to the Lord.
1 A prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.
Israel Doubts God’s Love
2 “I have loved
you,” says the Lord. [1]
With verse two
in mind I encourage you to try two things.
One: Try to
remind yourself all day “That God has loved you, does love you, and will love
you!”
Two: Consider
reading the entire book of Malachi every day for seven days. It is a very short
book and can be read easily in one setting. Always read it reminding yourself
of verse twoe and that this book is a direct message from God!
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