Commentary On Malachi 1.
The chapter one of Malachi focuses on God’s declaration of love for Israel despite their unfaithfulness and then shifts to rebuking the priests for their disrespectful and inadequate sacrifices.
It highlights God’s preference for genuine worship and His impending judgment on those who fail to honour Him even contrasting Israel’s situation with the destruction of Edom to demonstrate His power to punish.
The Highlights:
1.God’s Love and the People’s Lack of Honour. Verses 1-6
2.The Priests’ Disrespectful Sacrifices. Verses 7-8 and 12-14
3.God’s Great Name and Future Gentiles. Verse 11
4.Contrast with Edom’s Destruction . Verses 2-5
5.A call to Repentance. Verse 9.
Lessons
– God is sovereign; He is the God of all flesh and the Father of all spirits. Numbers16:22 and Hebrews 12:9
– If man refuses to praise and worship Him, He can raise up stones or any other inanimate objects to do so. Luke19:40.
– He does what ever He wants to do and no one can question Him as seen in verses 2-4.
– God’s love is unconditional. Verses 2-3
Prayer
1. Father, we thank You for choosing to love us!
2. Help us to love You more than anything else.
3. Holy Spirit, help us to love, respect and honour our God always in Jesus Christ’s Mighty Name! Amen!
Thank You Jesus for loving us!
Commentary On Malachi 2
Today, we study the Book of Malachi Chapter Two, where the lofty expectations from “PRIESTS” and, by extension, leaders in our churches today were processed as well as the repercussions of corruption in the priesthood.
Reflections:
“O priests – Give glory to My name”
Key Scriptures
“And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name”
(Malachi 2: 1-2)
Sacred Duties
According to the protocols laid down severally in the Book of Leviticus, the tribe of Levi was assigned the priesthood with responsibilities to:
-minister forgiveness
-teach the people
-communicate blessings & -purify the House of God.
New & Living Way
In the New Testament, Jesus, our new HIGH PRIEST, opened a new and live-giving way for believers (Hebrews 10:20).
Jesus has made us and Kings and Priests unto God His Father
(Revelations 1:6)
Yes! We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation, showing forth the praise of Jesus!
(1 Peter 2:9)
Much Is Expected
What a privilege!
What a great honour!!
An important principle of the Kingdom of God is that MUCH IS EXPECTED from the recipients of the grace of God. (Luke 12:48)
Priests Beware
The Biblical Guide for leaders of the New Testament church and, by extension, ALL BELIEVERS in the Book of First Timothy chapter three:
Leaders are expected to exhibit the following characteristics:
1. Sexual purity
2. Good behaviour
3. Hospitable
4. Not given to wine
5. Not violent
6. Not greedy
7. Gentle
8. Godly home
9. Obedient children
10. Good testimony
(1 Timothy 3: 1-7)
Conclusion
Without time, JUDGMENT WILL BEGIN FROM THE HOUSE OF GOD.
Priests, Beware!
Prayer (Gal. 4:19)
Father, we pray that Christ be formed in us as we continue to show forth your glory in a dark world.
Amen.
