Malachi 1

By the time Malachi began to prophesy, the temple had been rebuilt, but the people of Israel were still living in ways that dishonored God.

Reading the 14 verses of the chapter, you can hear God's sadness and disappointment. "'I have loved you,' says the LORD. 'But you ask, 'How have you loved us?'" (Mal. 1:2a). Ouch. God has given these people second chances, third chances, fourth chances, and so on to turn back to Him and live in devotion to Him. He has saved them from their enemies. And they ask how He has loved them? What a heartache God must feel when He hears our complaints. He protects us, and we groan about our sinus headaches. He provides food for us to eat, and we whine about wanting a new car. He sent His Son to die so our sins wouldn't be held against us, and we cry because someone hurt our feelings.

Verses 6-14 deal with the sacrifices that God's people were offering Him. "'When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?' says the LORD Almighty" (Mal. 1:8). The people were bringing to God the leftovers, what they wouldn't use for themselves. Furthermore, their attitude had been deplorable. When bringing sacrifices, they would say, "'What a burden!'" (Mal. 1:13). The last verse of the chapter says, "'Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and my name is to be feared among the nations'" (Mal. 1:14).

How often do we experience God in a very powerful way and promise to remain devoted to Him in prayer, in our attitudes, and even in our giving to His causes. How often does that vow last? Sadly, those feelings often dissipate within a day. Examine your heart today and ask God to purify it. Ask Him to remove any distractions that pull your focus off Him. God asks you for your best. To whom else could it be better entrusted?

Zechariah 14

In the beginning of the chapter, God foretells of an attack on Jerusalem. However, He says that He Himself will fight the nations (and they are"all the nations," according to verse 2). Verse 4 intrigues me. It says, "On that day his (God's) feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south" (Zech. 14:4). The Mount of Olives is mentioned many times in the gospels as a place where Jesus walked. Could there be a connection?

Listen to verses 6-9: "On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime--a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea (the Dead Sea, the footnote says) and half to the western sea (the Mediterranean, according to the footnote), in summer and in winter. The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name." This reference to "living water" reminds me of the mention of the fountain in Zechariah 13 that will "cleanse (the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem) from sin and impurity" (Zech. 13:1). And of course, Jesus' explanation of living water to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-26) comes to mind.

At the end of the chapter, an odd reference to cooking pots is made. "On that day HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the LORD's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the LORD Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them" (Zech 14:20-21a). One must understand the stringent rules for "clean living" in the culture of the Israelites. Certain rituals were required to ensure the holiness, or cleanliness, of items, particularly items related to food. A few verses before this, the statement is made that survivors from other nations of the battle against Jerusalem will worship the King, the LORD Almighty. Could this be a foretelling of the future Gentile Christians?

One last thing that I noticed that I found exciting. In verse 10, God says that Jerusalem will be raised up, that it will never again be destroyed. Several sites of the city are mentioned, such as the Benjamin Gate and the Tower of Hananel, that these sites will be secure. According to this verse, the royal winepresses will also be raised up. So...will there be wine in heaven? This passage gives me hope of finding the best merlot waiting for me when I enter those pearly gates! Or perhaps a nice Reisling....

May God bless you today with an expectancy and an assurance that what He has spoken will always come to pass. Remember His promises to you and be strengthened.