Overview of: MalachiToday's Reading:
Malachi 1:1 – 3:18
"The Righteous and the Wicked"
Focus Verses: Malachi 2:7-8
7 "For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty. 8 But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi," says the LORD Almighty.
Insight:
The priests of Malachi's time had become corrupt and they caused the people they served to stumble. They had broken the covenant and violated the relationship God had established with them when the priesthood was inaugurated in the time of Moses. Rather than teaching truth, working for peace, and living with integrity, the priests were selfish, shallow, and deceitful.
Response and Action:
The Apostle Peter tells Christians that they are to be a holy priesthood who offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. Our lives are to be a testimony of righteousness. We are to declare the praises of God who has called us out of darkness. Truth, peace, integrity, light, and good deeds should be marks of all who follow Christ Jesus.
O God, help me to live for you and through you in thought, word, and deed. By your power and grace, help me to live with integrity, to be a testimony of your saving love, to be a witness to your love and mercy, to say the words and to do the works that honor you and fulfill your purpose and calling for my life. Amen.
Proverb for Today: Prov. 23:17
"Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD."
New Testament for Today: 1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
In Context: 1 Peter 2:4-11
Recommended Reading:
The Pursuit of Holiness
by Jerry Bridges
