The people of Israel were
told about their contempt for the sacrifices and offerings to the
Lord through the prophet Malachi. Rather than offering their best to
worship Him, the people brought moldy bread and sickly animals. In
other words, they were going through the motions in worship and not
engaging the Lord with all their hearts and minds. In chapter one and
verse eleven of Malachi's prophecy the Lord shared how their lack of
service will be the impetus for His name being great among the
Gentiles. We read:
For from the rising of
the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be
great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be
offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be
great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
The
verse begins, “For from the rising of the sun even unto the
going down of the same my name shall be great among
the Gentiles;” The Lord refused the offerings of the Israelites
and told them He had no pleasure in them, and this was the forward to
His next thought - “For from the rising of the sun even unto the
going down of the same...” or “from sunrise to sunset” “my
name shall be great among the Gentiles;” which
means God's “reputation, fame and glory” will be “favored or
made important” among the “nations” who were not Israelites.
The
verse goes on to say, “ and in every place incense shall
be offered unto my name, and a pure offering:” Not
only will God's name be favored and exalted among the Gentile
nations, but “in every place” which
means throughout the world and in every “city, region or land”
“incense” which
means “to sacrifice, burn incense, burn sacrifices, or make
sacrifices smoke” “shall be offered to my name”. Though
the Israelites offered routine and contemptible sacrifices, the Lord
will have people throughout the world who will bring Him “a
pure offering” which is “a
clean gift, tribute, present, oblation, sacrifice, or meat offering”.
Finally
the verse says, “ for my name shall be great
among the heathen, says the LORD of hosts.” “The Lord of hosts”
declared for the second time in this verse is that His “name
shall be great” or “exalted, favored and highly esteemed”
“among the heathen” which is the same word used for
“Gentiles”. Because Israel would not worship the Lord with
the honor, respect and awe He deserved, the Lord turned His attention
to others who were spread throughout the world who would exalt His
name.
If we
were examined for our manner of worship to the Lord, would we be
replaced by others? Basically the Lord told the people of Israel if
they would not worship and favor His name, there were other people
throughout the world who would. If we think about this for a while
perhaps it will provoke us to jealousy and cause us to examine the
manner in which we worship the Lord. Lest we be replaced by others
who will make “the name of the Lord great”, let us worship and
serve the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and may
the name of the Lord be exalted forever. Amen.
Next
time Malachi writes concerning contrast between the children of
Israel and the Gentiles concerning their worship of the Lord,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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