When we read the Bible, we
should remember that the chapters and verses were added by scholars
long ago to make it easier for us to locate particular verses,
passages and stories within the scriptures. In their original form
they are often continual and without the breaks into chapters as we
see in the Bible today. In chapter two and verse one of Malachi, the
prophet continues the Lord's words to Israel concerning the
contemptible way they worshiped Him by addressing the spiritual
leadership – the priests – where we read:
And now, O you priests,
this commandment is for you.
The
verse begins, “And now, O you priests,...” This
verse contains two Hebrew words in the original writing, “kohen
mitsvah” of which the first one, “kohen” means “priest,
principal officer or chief ruler”. The Lord turned His attention
toward those who were supposed to be leading the people of Israel in
worship. The people were following the pathways of this spiritual
leadership, and these rulers were ultimately the ones responsible for
the way the people observed worship.
The verse goes on to say,
“this commandment is for you.” The
second Hebrew word used in this verse is “mitsvah” which means
“command, precept or prohibition”. We can almost visualize the
Lord saying, “Priests command” in a determined manner as He
prepared to addressed the spiritual leadership of Israel. Whenever
the Lord speaks directly to a person or group in the Bible, they
should concern themselves greatly with what He has to say.
Of
course, we will have to learn next time what the Lord has to say to
the priests, but as we ponder these words, let us put our names in
the place of the “priests”. What if the Lord were to say our name
and then “command” or prepare yourselves for what is about to be
said. Let us stand in attention as we wait with baited breath for
what the Lord might say to all who will hear Him.
Next
time we see God's warning to the priests if they do not listen to
Him,
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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