Malachi: Messenger

Malachi 1:1-4:6
The Lord says I have loved you, and we say how have you loved us? That now sounds familiar, both of the Israelites and of us today.

God says  "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? "

God still asks these questions of us. How do we honor him? Or DO we honor him? God says we dishonor him in our offerings, he says we give cast-offs and blemished offerings. Have you ever seen the 'refrigerator' that is a 'donation'? or the $2.00 left over from a week's spending that is our 'gift' to God? I guess we still dishonor God. He said to give first fruits, unblemished, and he would provide our needs. But apparently we don't believe him or believe our wants are more important than our needs.

Priests should guard knowledge and give instruction, and men should not discard the wife of their youth.

We aren't to ignore the sound council of our priests, nor are we to trade our spouse for someone younger and prettier (or more handsome or richer, smarter...). These things the Lord says to Israel, but he could just as much say them today.

Those who honor the Lord are written in his book of remembrance. I would like to be written in that book. What must I do to honor the Lord? It seems he has said much of what I need to know already, am I willing to listen?

See you tomorrow.
-maggie