by Bible League International,
Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Eric,
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Scripture
Devotion
The Book of Malachi wrapped up God’s work to the Israelites in the Old Testament. God gave many instructions, revelations, teachings, and prophecies. He enacted the commandments, laws, covenants, and ordinances, but the Israelite still chose to deviate and fail Him.
In Malachi, we read about God’s anger, regret, disappointment, and but we also feel the heartbreak of a loving Father. God’s comments to His beloved children were, “You priests stopped following me!” (Malachi 2:8), and “You never obeyed my laws. Even your ancestors stopped following me” (Malachi 3:7).
The Jews were increasingly indifferent in their relationship with God after the temple was rebuilt. Even when their situations were out of control, they depended on themselves. They thought they didn’t need God’s pillar of fire and cloud to guide them. Despite their disobedience, He desperately showed His endless and unconditional love by inviting gracefully, “Come back to me, and I will come back to you” (Malachi 3:7).
After generations of sin and rebellion, God remained faithful to his people, as he shows in Malachi 3:6, “I am the LORD, and I don’t change. You are Jacob’s children, and you have not been completely destroyed.” He knew that it was impossible to make His people come closer to Him.
The people asked, ‘How can we come back?’ God told them the fundamental, easiest, and most effective way – repent and stop robbing God. “You should have given me one-tenth of your things… bring food to my house” (Malachi 3:8, 10) Withholding the tithes is stealing from God. He allows us to freely plan for the remaining 90 percent. This 10 percent is not given to us to manage – it belongs to God.
In this confused, uncertain pandemic period, we’ve heard cries of needs from the ministry field. By responding to God’s request, He promises that all grace will be returned in multiples. In our verse for today, He declares, “If you do these things, I will surely bless you. Good things will come to you like rain falling from the sky. You will have more than enough of everything.” Rain from the sky is not predictable. It’s periodical, seasonal, unplanned, and endless, no matter how good we act. We don’t have to work for it. Just by giving what we should have given, we will receive all blessings by grace. The Lord All-Powerful added, “People from other nations will be good to you. You will have a wonderful country” (v.12). God is so certain that He challenges us to test Him.
The Old Testament ends with His last warning to the Israelites (and us) through Malachi, “Come back to me.”
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