As I was reading through the Old Testament I came to the last book. Malachi is not only the last book of the Old Testament, but it is most likely the last book written and is then followed by about 400 years of silence. If this book was taken to heart by each of us it can be the most radical change to take place in our thinking. The name Malachi means, “My Messenger” so what was Malachi’s message; lets delve and see how it pertains to us today.
Malachi 1:6 “A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty. “It is you priests who show contempt for my name. “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’
7 “By offering defiled food on my altar. “But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’ “By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible.
8 When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.
Here the prophet brings a message from God. The people of Israel were going about their actions, but their hearts were not in it. They were giving to God what was broken and inferior. God asks if we would give imperfect gifts to your earthly rulers. Do we do the same things in our life? The obvious answer is of course not. Yet, at the same time the people would see God as their Father and Master and yet offer to Him that which is contemptible.
Sadly, we often do the same. We give our best at work, for our boss and give what is left to God. God demands our best, He asks us for the first fruits not the last. We serve our earthly authorities and rulers with more strength and devotion than we give to our Father.
This lack of true devotion to God started right in the church. The priest was the first and the people followed along. So, this is a call to God’s Shepherds to get things right. After they have done this then the people will follow in doing what is right. If you think, well I’m not a Shepherd so I’m off the hook. Well, not so fast…are you a father or mother? Then you are a Shepherd of a small flock. Or, does anyone look up to you, then if you have an influence in anyone’s life you have a responsibility to set the correct example. I could dare say we all influence someone; we may not even know it. I for one have learned that I’m an influence in more people’s lives than I know, as I go through my journey, I hear from people that I did not even think were watching me. These people tell me how I have impacted their lives. So be careful you never know who may be watching.
Give your best to God and honor him. Let the first fruits of your life be set aside for God’s use. Let us give all our strength and life to our Lord. If we call Him Father and Master… does He not deserve our best? This is a great realization that God wants us to learn not just doctrinal facts but also the emotional magnitude of His love.
Works cited: Picture by Canna Godeassi (c/o theispot.com)
Anchor In The Storm 