GOD Requires Sincerity and Obedience

NO MORE SO CALLED WORSHIP

Who is Malachi in the Bible? According to the Jews he was, along with Haggai and Zechariah, one of the last prophets to walk on earth. Prophecies end with them according to conventional Jewish wisdom in the centuries that follow.

Some of the sacrifices the Jews were offering were intended to atone for sin; a capital offense in the eyes of the Holy GOD. Sin demands the death penalty in the Old Testament (before JESUS paid the ultimate price for sin). GOD created the sacrificial system as a way for sinners to have forgiveness by substituting the death of a “PERFECT” animal. The Lord accepted its death in our place to purify us, making us right with Him. But remember GOD is AWESOME AND CANNOT BE AMONG SIN! He expects our best!

GOD gave Malachi a Prophecy to give the Jews, because he was upset with them again because they began bringing defective animals to the Temple for forgiveness of sin. They had stop tithing a tenth of the income for the upkeep of the temple and to support ministry. That is not all, just like in today's time, some Jews are cheating their employees, oppressing the poor and depriving the helpless of justice. GOD is Almighty and Holy!!!!He demands our best. We cannot ask GOD forgiveness and in the same breath, sinning with the sacrifice for sin, as the Jews were.

Through Malachi, the Lord confronts the priests: “You are despising My name!” But the priests didn’t get it. So, the Lord explains, “In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is to be despised’” (1:7). (The table refers to the altar of sacrifice [Ezekiel 41:22].) The priests were not so brazen as to say those specific words. What they said was something like I said a moment ago. They knew that the Law of Moses had some “obscure” verses (Leviticus 22:20-25; Deuteronomy 15:21) about not offering blemished sacrifices to the Lord.

After Malachi, there is a silence from GOD until the New Testament, as it pertains to Him speaking through Prophets; I believe about 400 years. Meaning GOD did not have a person to compile his word. During this time Israel gained their independence for a time. During these centuries, the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Scribes find their roots. Jesus was born during the Roman rule.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: We live in a day of convenient Christianity. The church is being marketed like a restaurant or store in an attempt to attract more customers. Pastors flock to seminars that share methods on how to attract unchurched people. “Don’t preach against sin, because that threatens people. They want to feel good about themselves. They don’t bring Bibles to church, so don’t get into in-depth Bible study. Give them something positive and uplifting. And, they’re use to watching TV so use a lot of drama and visuals. Keep the sermon short - 15 to 20 minutes maximum. Make it entertaining.” Pastors who use these techniques testify how their church rapidly grew into thousands of attenders.

Through Malachi, the Lord of hosts has something to say to the modern church: “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not uselessly meet in My name. I am not pleased with you” (paraphrase of 1:10). It would be better to close the doors of the church than to dishonor God when we meet!

Isn't GOD worthy of our Best? He is!!!!!!! He is patience, full of forgiveness, but we should not take his love for granted. We all do! Let’s stop taking chances, tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

We should always seek his guidance in all things. Nothing is too big or small. Allow him to be a part of your daily life; speak to him like someone with you at all times that is a guide in life.

The Jewish people continued to disobey GOD. They did this by not continuing to give to take care of the temple and the needy. They are to give their 10% to support ministry; the Priest sacrificed blemished animals, just like the modern church do things to please "people."

In closing, God’s purpose is to promote His glory, and He wants to use His people to do that. So our aim as God’s people should be to glorify God by loving Him above all, by loving one another (the two Great Commandments), and by proclaiming the gospel among the nations (the Great Commission) so that all peoples will glorify His great name.