The prophet Malachi wrote
“The LORD of host's” words which indicted the nation of
Israel for several faults. Among them was their robbing God in tithes
and offerings. The Lord's desire was to bless the people of the
nation, however because of their larceny they received a curse. The
Lord beckoned them to return to and prove Him with their tithes, and
He promised to open the windows of heaven, rebuke the devourer, and
not allow the fruit of their fields or vines to be unproductive if
they did. In chapter three and verse twelve we see another blessing
which would come upon Israel if they would only obey. We read:
And all nations shall
call you blessed:
for you shall be a
delightsome land, says the LORD of hosts.
The
verse begins, “And all nations shall call you blessed:”
Malachi wrote “all the nations”
which refers to “people from the nations all over the world”
“shall call you blessed”
which literally means “to go straight, walk, go on, advance, make
progress or pronounce happy”. In other words, when people from
around the world saw the prosperity of the nation of Israel, they
would comment upon how “happy and advanced” their conditions made
them.
The
verse goes on to say, “for you shall be a delightsome
land, says the LORD of hosts.” The
Lord goes on to tell them “you shall be a delightsome”
or “pleasurable or desireable” “land”.
When people look upon the nation of Israel after the Lord blesses
them, they will see pleasure, happiness, and an enviable place to be
within the nation.
Let us
think about what is being said in these words, “All the
nations”. Every nation throughout the world, whether believing
or non-believing in God, would look upon the nation of Israel and
bless them. The prosperity of Israel would be the envy of the world,
and those who look upon them would desire to be as they are. All of
this is promised by “the LORD of hosts” if only they would
return to him and prove Him with their tithes. As we ponder this
idea, can we picture ourselves in the nation of Israel's position?
Would we desire to be called “blessed” and “delightsome”
among those with whom we have to do? May the Lord fasten this truth
deep within our souls that we may ever understand that His mighty
outstretched hand is ready to bless those who will simply obey what
He says.
Next
time we see yet another indictment against the nation of Israel,
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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