From Malachi
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Now we come to Malachi, the last OT book.
Mal. 2:16. “I hate divorce”. This speaks of marital strife, but we know that God hates strife and divisiveness in all types of relationship. God desires peace, but a tactic or scheme used by Satan (2Cor. 2:11, Eph. 6:11) is to divide and conquer: husband from wife, children from parents, friend from friend, country from country, but primarily people from God by making them apathetic about learning God’s Word, which was the teaching point of Jesus’ first temptation in the wilderness (Matt. 4:4).
Mal. 3:1. This prophesies the coming of “the messenger of the covenant”, who Jesus said (in Matt. 11:10) was John the Baptist.
Mal. 3:5. This verse condemns those who commit adultery, perjury and defraud or oppress the poor including workers, widows, orphans and foreigners.
Mal. 3:8. This condemns those who defraud God by withholding tithes and offerings for ministry and charity. A tithe or 10% should be viewed as a fair share or guideline rather than a legalistic requirement, because Paul says in 2Cor. 9:7, “God loves a cheerful giver”, which applies to all aspects of our service.
The proper attitude is that everything we have is God’s, so we should be good stewards and manifest His love by the way we share our blessings with others. As Paul says (in 2Cor. 8:13), God’s desire is not that others might be relieved while we are hard pressed, but that there might be equality, and Eph. 4:28 teaches that we should work to earn a living so that we will have something to share with those in need.
I think it is fitting that we conclude our survey of key OT teachings with Malachi’s instruction about giving, interpreted in light of Paul’s statement about serving God cheerfully. The joy of knowing the Lord is our strength for living (Neh. 8:10), so I hope you have enjoyed reading this lesson, seeking to know the Lord better by learning His Word and teachings. May we rejoice in the Lord always!
Sorry, but who calls the arrogant blessed? Who do you mean by "we"?
Just discovered that in some translations, including the LSB, Malachi 3:15 includes "the arrogant."
(Mal 3:15 LSB) ‘So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up, but they also test God and escape.’”
I was just too late to edit my earlier post - 5 minutes seems rather a short time limit.
I only know what I have perceived, not being given to teach nor to correct others.
However, these are the words of the prophet, Malachi.
Yes sorry, I realised that when it was too late to edit my post, which is why a posted again (see Post 4 of this thread).
But who is Malachi referring to as the "arrogant" and who are the "we". Personally, I suspect the "we" is virtually all, if not fully all, humanity, but might the arrogant be those who are too confident in their own righteousness or perhaps in their own understanding of the scriptures or would they be some other group?
My posts are primarily selections from the Word which I have been sharing for meditation.
I have my understanding, and I believe if it is carefully understood the same it will be for others who see the selection.
Input of the subject is all I seek.
I have my understanding, and I believe if it is carefully understood the same it will be for others who see the selection.
Input of the subject is all I seek.
Psalms 73:1-19 (A Psalm of Asaph.) Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
The Psalms is about how it bothered Asaph that the heathen prospered and did not have affliction when they did not care about God and following Him while he suffered.
But then he understood that they will have their end only prospering on earth but not in the afterlife.
Malachi 3:13-18 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Malachi 4:1-3 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 Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of youhr feet
in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Some in Israel complained that it is vain to serve God for the wicked prosper that do not care about the truth.
But God said there will come a time they will know who is blessed and not blessed for the saints will prosper and the wicked will not.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
The Psalms is about how it bothered Asaph that the heathen prospered and did not have affliction when they did not care about God and following Him while he suffered.
But then he understood that they will have their end only prospering on earth but not in the afterlife.
Malachi 3:13-18 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Malachi 4:1-3 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 Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of youhr feet
in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Some in Israel complained that it is vain to serve God for the wicked prosper that do not care about the truth.
But God said there will come a time they will know who is blessed and not blessed for the saints will prosper and the wicked will not.
The past month, I have read the Psalms many times. Each time there is newly reveled meaning in so many of them, ergo I reread them, and it is so satisfying.
Meanwhile I also have been given to meditate upon being a slave to Good.. Only God is good. I believe it is being a slave to Love, for God is love
Today, I realized that in order to be the slave of Good and Love, I would have to be like God, not God of course, but like He. Because God is Good and God is Love, and I feel He is always watching out for me, I come to believe that our Fasther is a slave to Love and Good. Not that He needs to be called such, but He simply is the encompassment of all Good and all Love, and oh, the impression has been so wonderful. Now I realize I cannot be perfect until it is His time for us all to be so.
Meanwhile I also realize that there is only psitive being in being a slave to Good and to Love. Sorry to rattle on, but it has been wonderful.
Meanwhile I also have been given to meditate upon being a slave to Good.. Only God is good. I believe it is being a slave to Love, for God is love
Today, I realized that in order to be the slave of Good and Love, I would have to be like God, not God of course, but like He. Because God is Good and God is Love, and I feel He is always watching out for me, I come to believe that our Fasther is a slave to Love and Good. Not that He needs to be called such, but He simply is the encompassment of all Good and all Love, and oh, the impression has been so wonderful. Now I realize I cannot be perfect until it is His time for us all to be so.
Meanwhile I also realize that there is only psitive being in being a slave to Good and to Love. Sorry to rattle on, but it has been wonderful.
