Prayer: Father, I come to You this morning prepared to learn from You and Your Spirit. Guide me O’ Great Jehovah. Amen.
Reading: Malachi 1 key: vs. 6-8 ““A son honors his father, and a servant his master. So if I am Father, where is My honor? If I am Master, where is My reverence?”—says Adonai-Tzva’ot— “you, kohanim who despise My Name!” But you say, “How did we despise Your Name?” “By offering defiled bread on My altar.” But you say, “How did we defile You?” When you say, “The table of Adonai is despicable.” “When you bring a blind one as sacrifice, is it not wrong? Or when you bring a lame or sick one, is it not wrong? Offer them now to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Or will he acknowledge you favorably?” says Adonai-Tzva’ot.” TLV
Bible Project: Book of Malachi Summary | Watch an Overview Video (bibleproject.com)
Attention: If you just watched the overview of Malachi by the Bible Project, you would notice that they speak of 4 chapters, while the TLV which I use, only register 3 chapters. The Messianic version of the TLV, only recognizes 3 chapters, while we might call other versions like the King James and New American Standard bibles, Greek translations, recognize some text which is not included in all versions. Also, the Messianic version uses chronological order, while Christian bibles (Greek Translations) use subject to determine the order.
What is God disputing through Malachi about Irael’s lack of reverence and honor? Their relationship with Adonai had deteriorated to the point of the people were lax in their application of the sacrifices. In the first seven chapters of Leviticus, Adonai gives Moses instructions on sacrifice and how the animal is to be perfect and without blemish. These instructions were passed on to the Levites or Levitical order and on to the people. Everyone knew the Law. Yet, in this generation, they had become lax in their love, obedience, and devotion. The were offering the Sovereign God of the Universe substandard animal sacrifice, bringing “a lame or sick one” as an offering. They were bringing to God, something which they would not even consider bringing to their earthly governor.
The prophet Malachi will reintroduce the subject of tithing in chapter three. A tithe amounted to ten percent of all produce and animals. Yeshua established a New Covenant, love God with all your heart. How much is all? He wants our whole heart, which includes all our possessions. What do we bring to the table of the Lord’s Communion? Are we bringing a purified life, a submitted life, a life which honors and reverences Adonai?
If you are bringing lest than your best to God, I encourage you to repent and return to God. He is either Lord of all the areas of your heart, or He is not Lord at all.
Action: I choose to honor and reverence God with all my heart.
Yield: I choose to submit to the Lordship of Yeshua.
Engage: I choose to engage with the help of the Holy Spirit in holy living.
Relationship: I choose to live in holy, intimate, obedient lifestyle with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I desire to reverence and honor You with my mind, my eyes, my heart, and my ears. I desire to live for You. Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalm 86:11-12 “Teach me Your way, Adonai, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart to fear Your Name. I praise You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and glorify Your Name forever.” TLV
Music Video: Brandon Heath—Whole Heart https://youtu.be/5z0vViy0uLU?si=agBxiat1F9xGdzDL
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”