Malachi – September 29

Congratulations on finishing the reading of the Old Testament in 9 months. Now we will read the New Testament over the next 3 months. I’m looking forward to this! 
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After Israel had begun to restore righteous worship and righteous living back to their nation, complacency and unbelief were creeping back in. The fact that Israel was willing to offer defiled/contaminated food and blind sacrifices shows their flippant attitude. The people were serving God out of obligation; they didn't see the real benefit of a life devoted to Him and His ways. We see in chapter one that the LORD’s biggest complaint is against the priests since they were enabling this irreverent attitude. The LORD says in Malachi 1:6, "A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised Your name?'” When the LORD tells the people they are robbing Him of tithes and offering in chapter three, it’s obvious the LORD was after honor, and not just the religions actions. The biggest thing the people were robbing God of is “honor.” The people were continuing to go through the motions of giving to God, but their lack of honor of Him had cut them off from the benefit the LORD desired to give them. We should examine ourselves; are we giving and serving God “grudgingly” and “of necessity,” or “cheerfully” (See 2 Cor. 9:7).

What stuck out to you from the book of Malachi; what did the LORD speak to you about?

Also, did you enjoy reading through the Old Testament in chronological order? Did you see some things in a new light? (Put it in the comments below!)