Welcome to Malachi
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 11 Nov 2007 in From Steve's Study ::
We started last Sunday a new series looking at the book of Malachi. Malachi was a prophet who spoke to the people of Israel, in about 450BC, after they had returned from exile in Babylon & begun to rebuild the nation. The city walls and the temple had been rebuilt & the people were beginning to rebuild their lives and religion.
Although there was great rejoicing at the reconstruction of the temple (read about it in Ezra 3), the reality of life back in the land was not so glorious. There was still no king in Israel (as they were still under the authority of the Persian empire), & the people had obviously not learnt anything from the pain of the exile.
As we look into the book of Malachi, we see his condemnation of their sacrifices, their leaders, their marriages, and their offerings. In each of these areas, they are half-hearted in their commitment to God and their service of him, and Malachi has some challenging things to say to them.
However, we mustn’t make the mistake of simply looking down our noses at the people of Israel, as if they are so much worse that we are, for we too take God for granted, we too often offer to God our second best. We need to take on board the challenge to commit ourselves 100% to following God, giving thanks for all he has done for us & seeking to bring him honour and glory.
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