Today's Reading:

Malachi 1
Malachi 2
Malachi 3
Malachi 4
Psalm 50

Chapters 1 and 2 talk about two different covenants. Jacob was the name for the nation (Malachi 1:2-5). When God answered the people’s question, “How have you loved us?” He answered as the God of Jacob. Levi was the name for the priesthood within that nation (Malachi 2:1-9). This word was not for Israelites in general; it was for the priest. Levi’s tribe had been set apart to guard the sanctuary and teach the Torah, the first 5 books of the Bible.

Malachi used the “covenant of peace”, the line of perpetual priesthood given to Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson (Numbers 25:12-13). Jeremiah had also called the line a covenant (Jeremiah 33:21). Malachi named it “My covenant with Levi”. Levi was one of Jacob’s twelve sons, so within the nation of Israel, God’s grace was seen in that He was saying, “I keep faith with Jacob’s people by cleaning house in Levi’s house. God does this so the covenant with Levi can continue (Malachi 2:4), and he can later purify the sons of Levi (Malachi 3:3); worship had been treated poorly 

Where have you seen worship treated poorly like leftovers, and what would it look like to bring God your best instead of what costs you nothing?

This was the final full book to read of the Old Testament. God had Malachi speak to the post-exiles in Judah. These oracles are messages from God. The people had cheapened their worship, and corrupt priests had been unfaithful in marriage and were not loyal to God. The temple had been rebuilt, but the people were still discouraged and just going through the motions. In the first oracles, God defended His love for the people. Then He confronted the priest for not honoring worship. There was a back-and-forth pattern where God stated something, the people “objected,” like asking, “How?” then God would answer. Here in Scripture, “Israel” meant the people who had returned to Judah (S), the remnant that represented the entire covenant people.

Oracle 1: “I have loved you.” (Malachi 1:2-5)

The people doubted it because they came back after exile to a hard life of poverty under Persian control. God answered that Jacob and Esau were twins (Genesis 25), and before they were born God chose Jacob (Israel) as the covenant line over Esau (Edom). Here “hated” just meant “loved less or less chosen,” not spite. God’s love was shown when Israel was restored, and Edom was not.

Oracle 2: “You priests despise My name.” (Malachi 1:6–2:9)
God was being disrespected by the priests, who showed Him no honor or awe. The law required unblemished animals for sacrifices, and the priests were offering the blind, lame, sick, and other leftovers- unworthy animals. If they were not good enough to give to their governor or the king, then why would they be good enough for God? They wanted to plead with God to be gracious over the cheap sacrifices and then expect a favor from Him. The humor came when God called them out. No worship would be better than crappy worship. The priests treated worship like a chore. There would be a curse on the hypocrite who vowed a good animal yet swapped it for a defective one. God treated them the way the Law commanded (Leviticus 4:11-12), like the unclean leftovers of a sacrifice. He would target their offspring by creating fewer sons. Then He would take the inside guts and poo and smear it on their faces in disgrace. Instead of removing the uncleanliness from God’s presence, the priests were hauled off with the waste in humiliation. The unfaithful priests must repent, because they were risking the covenant line forever. Malachi was not going to let this slide.

Oracle 3: “Judah has been faithless.” (Malachi 2:10-16)
The “we” includes the whole community, not just the priests, who were marrying outside the covenant to pagan wives when mixed marriage was forbidden (Exodus 34:16, Deuteronomy 7:3-40. Bringing an offering does not cancel the sin. God made the husband and wife one, a unit. He wants holy offspring. Breaking the marriage covenant cancels that purpose. God hates false divorce. It can be a tough verse in Scripture to read for some. But He wants us to watch ourselves and not be faithless. You are bound to protect the other in a relationship and marriage, not treat the other poorly.

Oracle 4: “Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17–3:5)
They exhausted the Lord with that question. They claimed that God likes the evil ones, or else He just never comes to judge them. God, tired of their complaining, said that He would send His messenger to prepare the way. This can be seen as a foreshadowing of John the Baptist. Then the Lord Himself will come to His temple and purify it.  Justice is coming, so do not think it will be easy street. This section echoes Isaiah 40:3.

Oracle 5: “Will a man rob God?” (Malachi 3:6-12)
They ask, “How have we robbed You?” Tithes and offerings. God’s unchanging character is why Jacob’s line still exists. Return to Him, and He will return to you. Tithes are how His house supports itself and others. Holding back is not just being stingy, but it is robbing God. The whole nation was scolded, not just the Levites (priests). This is the one and only place God said it was okay to test Him. Test Him with your faith and finances and watch the blessing be poured out for you. Due to the people lacking trust in God with all they had, they looked for other sources.

Oracle 6: “Your words have been hard against Me.” (Malachi 3:13–4:6)
They ask, “What have we said?” Again, the people were complaining. They called serving God useless. They were arrogant, wanting God to pay out blessings. You cannot test God and walk away. The faithful remnant spoke to those who had criticized. God kept a book of remembrance, like the royal annals in Esther 6:1, where the good names were recorded. God promised the day of the Lord, Elijah, and the rising sun of righteousness. This group trusted God and would gather to let others know they were not forgotten just because the wicked looked successful.

Chapter 4 was a short chapter of only six verses. It was a call to remember Moses and watch for Elijah’s return. God would distinguish between the arrogant evildoers and the righteous. The furnace of fire would burn the wicked. Those who fear the Lord do not meet the furnace; they will dance lightheartedly and be well fed. While you wait for that day, look back on Horeb (Mount Sinai). Remember Moses and all of the laws. This is how you stay ready. Remember the law, and the forerunner, Elijah, is coming (John the Baptist). At this point, the Old Testament books ended.

Psalm 50- The Mighty One, God, was talking from Zion (More west, more holy). The psalm starts as a courtroom scene. God does not bring charges against the people for the lack of animals. Sounds familiar, like the book of Malachi. Their sacrifices are without loyalty to Him. He is not hungry and does not need the bull. He wants you to understand His heart. The number of animals was not the issue; He rejected their heartless worship. Sacrifices were not like the pagans feeding their gods. He wants gratitude, not payment. Reciting Scripture is not the same as belonging to it. A delay in judgment does not mean that God approves of the actions (theft, adultery, slander). This was a last warning. He will tear the wicked to pieces in judgment. God does not want your animals or accept your empty Bible quoting; He wants you to give thanks and keep your vows.

Today's Discussion question:

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