The LORD Speaks to Malachi

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from the book of Malachi. Malachi was considered to be a “Messenger of the LORD.” The name Malachi comes from the Hebrew name (Mal’akhiy) which means “my messenger” or “my angel.”

God delivered His message to the people of Israel through the hand of Malachi. Malachi was one of the twelve prophets from the Old Testament.

The book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament of the Bible. No other prophet was sent to the people after Malachi until John the Baptist appeared on the scene making a way for the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is believed that the book of Malachi was written after the books of Haggai and Zechariah, because Malachi talked about the temple already being rebuilt. Malachi ministers to the people of Israel about 100 years after they returned to Jerusalem from exile.

The temple had already been rebuilt. The people were making their sacrifices, but they still hadn’t seen the things come to pass that the prophets Zechariah and Haggai told them the LORD said would happen. They may have been discouraged and wondering if the LORD forgot about them.

In this Scripture Malachi shared the judgment of the Word of the LORD to Israel. The LORD first said, “I have loved you, but you say where have you loved us?” Have you ever asked God that question? Maybe you didn’t ask Him out loud, but you thought it, because of the circumstances of your life?

The people of Israel went through some tough times. Some of them were in captivity for a long time. They returned home, but things weren’t easy. A lot of work had to be done. They had to rebuild the temple and rebuild the city.

The LORD tried to reassure the people of Israel of His love for them before He corrected them for their disobedience. God loved Israel. They were His chosen people. He tried to make a point like Jesus did in John 14:15 when He reminded us, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

The LORD asked, “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother? I loved Jacob, and hated Esau.” He basically told them that He chose Jacob and didn’t choose Esau. He chose the children of Israel, who were the descendants of Abraham and Sarah, to be His people. But He didn’t choose the people of Edom, who were Abraham’s children with Hagar, Sarah’s maid. The Israelites had been in captivity, but they were able to return to their homeland. The people of Edom were forever out of God’s blessing.

The LORD told about the judgment He placed on Edom and the blessing He bestowed on the Israelites. He reassured the Israelites that they were His chosen people. He loves them and will love them forever.

Speaking to the priests, He said they despised my name and then they asked me, “Where have we despised your name?” Do we do the same thing, not honor God, as our Heavenly Father, and the LORD and Master of our lives?

Daily Bible Reading:

Malachi 1:1-6

1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Things to think about:

• What was the LORD’S concern in this Scripture?

• What did the LORD say about Edom?

• In what ways can we Honor God as our Heavenly Father?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You that in this Scripture in the book of Malachi we are reminded that, as our Heavenly Father, we are to honor and respect You. Forgive us of the many ways in which we fail to show honor to Your name. Help us to be mindful as we go about our daily lives to honor and respect You as our Heavenly Father. Help those who haven’t accepted You as their Heavenly Father to come to know You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

-Excerpt from The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD.

Have you read

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. Malachi was considered to be a “Messenger of the LORD.” God delivered His message to the people of Israel through Malachi. Malachi was one of the twelve prophets from the Old Testament. The book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament of the Bible.

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD includes eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary from the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for discussion or contemplation, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This book is great for a personal daily devotional or for a group Bible study.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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