Malachi

We are going through a series in Sunday School right now through the book of Malachi.  Short book, deep lessons.  I am amazed at the relativity to us today throughout all the Old Testament, but especially in this book.

Malachi chapter one the prophet is burdened deeply by the gross sin of God’s chosen people.  They are adopted by God as His children, yet they are living completely like they do not even know Him.  God is hurt here because he is receiving neither the honor due to a father, nor the respect due to a master.  His own children have forgotten him.

How many times have I lived my life and made many decisions without even reverencing Him or acknowledging Him as Lord of my life. How many times have I consulted my husband or my parents for advice and never even sought His face.

The prophet speaks to the priests next.  He is very troubled that the priests have allowed the people to bring in sacrifices that are lame, blind, and blemished.  The priests are not only allowing them to bring these diseased animals, but also they are bringing stale bread.  We all know what happens when we eat diseased animals and who likes stale bread?  These were not even sacrifices, but merely left overs, or even worse, trash.

Many pastors today are not taking a stand for the Word of God, and therefore the purity of the church is in ruins.  Many of our churches have turned into brothels.

The  men of God are to watch for the people.  Here in Malachi’s day the men were bringing this trash and the priests would accept it so that their family could eat.  Where was their faith?  If pastors would take a stand for the Word of God, God will provide their needs.  They did not have to eat and feed their family trash.  God even sent ravens with food to feed Elisha when he fled from the evil king that was going to kill him.

When Josh and I were at seminary our first six months, we lived in an on-campus apartment complex.  Every occupant on this complex was a seminary student, facility or family of.  Each week as we would pull out for church on Sunday we would see groups of these future pastors or ministers dirty and sweaty playing tag football.  What was wrong with this picture?  Josh and I were not better nor will we ever be better than these guys. I just cannot understand why we had a burning desire to hear the Word of God preached and worship with other believers, and these guys would rather wrestle around on the ground?

There are so many pastors today that just do not have a high standard of living for the Savior that died for them.  This leaves a congregation of people that have no honor for Him as a father and no respect to Him as their master?  I never one day will live worthy of the blood that was shed for me.  I am unworthy of His grace.

Thank you, Lord, for a pastor that desires to see Your people live for you.  Thank you for a pastor that takes a stand on Your Word and will not back down.  Thank you for a pastor that trusts in You to feed his family and not men.  Amen.