fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Malachi
Sept 3, 2019 18:34:02 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 3, 2019 18:34:02 GMT -5
Malachi 1:1-14
The Lord's Love for Israel
it should have been clear that God did love them, they only existed by God's continuing to rescue them, fight for them, provide for them etc.
Yet they rebelled, yet God loved them.
We can wonder why did they ask, how do you love us....and yet...have not most people asked at one time or another: Why? Why does God allow bad things to happen? Why doesn't God 'fix' this situation or that? Why does God allow little Children to be hurt, abused, or die? etc etc.
God speaks of 'election'...He choose them.
He choose Jacob but not Esau.
People then often wonder why did God choose this or that person and not another....
but the more pressing question is why did He choose anyone at all?
The Priests' Polluted Offerings
it also talks of how little respect, honor, or love the priests have for God.
They gave God the blind, sick, or lame animals, but wouldn't have dare to do the same for a governor or man of high standing.
These kinds of insults were so bad that it would have been been to shut the doors than to keep up such insincere shallow false routine and rituals with no love or meaning to them.
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Sept 3, 2019 22:12:34 GMT -5
The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel to Malachi. An overview of the book of Malachi.
Malachi addressing a fifth century BC audience, is the last of the minor prophets. In some ways Malachi serves as a conclusion to that group, from Hosea to Malachi. Throughout the prophetic books we see the positive results of responding to the prophetic call and the negative results of failing to respond. In Malachi, the question of whether the people will respond is left hanging. God desires honesty, true worship and faithfulness. The book ends with a warning that the Lord is coming to judge the wicked, a call to remember the covenant, and an indication that the greatest prophet, Elijah, will come before the day of the Lord. The book of Malachi serves a prophetic bridge to John the Baptist and Jesus, who both used many of Malachi's themes in their preaching.The portrayal of the religious leaders at the time of Christ suggests that Israel had failed to respond to the basics of Malachi's message. When we read what the prophets have said we learn about God, how our sin offends Him, how His justice calls for punishment, how His compassion urges us to respond to Him, and how His grace offers hope. The Bible is God's revelation of himself and we read it not to learn about the people but to learn about God so that we might know Him and respond to Him.
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Post by Cindy on Sept 4, 2019 10:26:14 GMT -5
Malachi 1:1-14
The Lord's Love for Israel
it should have been clear that God did love them, they only existed by God's continuing to rescue them, fight for them, provide for them etc.
Yet they rebelled, yet God loved them.
We can wonder why did they ask, how do you love us....and yet...have not most people asked at one time or another: Why? Why does God allow bad things to happen? Why doesn't God 'fix' this situation or that? Why does God allow little Children to be hurt, abused, or die? etc etc.
God speaks of 'election'...He choose them.
He choose Jacob but not Esau.
People then often wonder why did God choose this or that person and not another....
but the more pressing question is why did He choose anyone at all?
The Priests' Polluted Offerings
it also talks of how little respect, honor, or love the priests have for God.
They gave God the blind, sick, or lame animals, but wouldn't have dare to do the same for a governor or man of high standing.
These kinds of insults were so bad that it would have been been to shut the doors than to keep up such insincere shallow false routine and rituals with no love or meaning to them.
Nothing is known of Malachi but Jewish tradition says that he was a member of the Great Synagogue that collected & preserved the canon of revealed Scripture, as was Zechariah. Ezra was the founder of this Synagogue.
Nehemiah came to Jerusalem in 444 B.C. to rebuild the city walls, thirteen years after Ezra’s return and reforms (457 B.C.). Nehemiah returned to Persia in 432 B.C., but came back to Palestine about 425 B.C., and dealt with the sins described in Malachi. It is therefore likely that Malachi proclaimed his message while Nehemiah was absent between 432 B.C. and 425 B.C., almost a century after Haggai and Zechariah began to prophesy (520 B.C.). Talk thru the Bible
Theme and Purpose—The divine dialogue in Malachi’s prophecy was designed as an appeal that would break through the barrier of Israel’s disbelief. disappointment, and discouragement. The promised time of prosperity had not yet come, and the prevailing attitude that it was not worth serving Yahweh became evident in their moral and religious corruption. But God revealed His continuing love in spite of Israel’s lethargy. His appeal in this oracle was that the people & priests would stop to realize that their lack of blessing was not caused by His lack of concern, but by their own compromise & disobedience to the covenant law. When they repent & return to God with sincere hearts, the obstacles to the flow of divine blessing will be removed. He also reminds the people that a day of reckoning will surely come when God will judge the righteous & the wicked. Talk thru the Bible
Christ in Malachi—The Book of Malachi is the prelude to four hundred years of prophetic silence, broken finally by the words of the next prophet, John the Baptist: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Malachi predicts the coming of the messenger who will clear the way before the Lord (3:1; cf. Is. 40:3). John the Baptist later fulfills this prophecy, but in the next few verses (3:2–5) jump ahead to Christ in His second advent. This is also true of the prophecy of the appearance of “Elijah the prophet” (4:5). John the Baptist was this Elijah (see Matt. 3:3; 11:10–14; 17:9–13; Mark 1:3; 9:10–11; Luke 1:17; 3:4; John 1:23), but Elijah will also appear before the second coming of Christ. Talk thru the Bible
Meanwhile, in other parts of the world…The Greeks begin building the temple of Zeus at Olympia and a marble temple in honor of Apollo at Delphi. The MacArthur Bible handbook
In 536 b.c. Cyrus the Persian gave the people the right to return from the Babylonian captivity to their homeland in Judah and to build their holy temple in Jerusalem. Thus, the remnant of the captivity returned under Zerubbabel, the political leader; under Joshua, the priestly leader; under Ezra, the scribe; and under Nehemiah, who had been the prime minister at the court of Shushan, the Persian capital. This holy remnant, thus seeking to restore the worship of the true God in Jerusalem and to recreate the political life of Judah, was encouraged by God’s messengers, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Out of the Babylonian captivity came three great establishments by which God has blessed our world. First, the Jews were never idolatrous again. Second, the synagogue was born, and from the synagogue came the church. The services of the synagogue are the same type of services we have today. Third, from the captivity came the canon of the Holy Scriptures. Out of tears and suffering came our greatest blessing, “The Scarlet Thread of Redemption.” The Open Bible
Why wasn't it clear that God loved them? Because the people had grown indifferent due to their sin. They had forgotten the future God had for them - their destiny, and instead were all wrapped up with the things of the world, so their motivation to live for God began to die, and over the years it died completely. Instead of focusing on God, they had focused on themselves and their vision was now stuck there.
The first verse is translated in a couple of different ways:
Mal 1:1 The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.
Mal 1:1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.
The word translated "oracle" or "burden" is a technical term in the prophets that introduces something that's from the Lord. It actually means "a burdensome message". Malachi knew the Word of God and he knew what the people of Israel were like, and that they couldn't be further from God if they tried. There was a huge gap between the people and God and that's what made the message a burden. He had no choice; he had to speak it to the people or they would be lost forever. The people were so wrapped up in themselves and what they thought they wanted, that they couldn't see the truth if it jumped up and bit them; therefore they doubted God's love, even though it was so very obvious. And that's just how it is today too.
We always have questions about it when God says He loves one person and hates another so I want to make it very clear if possible .....
The Hebrew words for loved & hated refer not to God’s emotions but to His choice of one over the other for a covenant relationship (Gen. 29:31-35; Deut. 21:15, 17; Luke 14:26). To hate someone meant to reject him and to disavow any loving association with him (Ps. 139:21). Nor do these words by themselves indicate the eternal destinations of Jacob & Esau. The verbs refer to God’s acts in history toward both of the 2 nations which descended from the 2 brothers. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
I have hated Esau. While Genesis mentions no divine hatred toward Esau, Obadiah’s prophecy over 1,000 years later (see Ob 1–21) indicated that the Lord’s hatred was against Esau’s idolatrous descendants. In the same way, the Lord’s love for Jacob refers to his descendants who were His sovereignly elected people through whom the world’s Redeemer would come. Nor does the love/hate language signify a comparative love in which He loved Jacob more and Esau less. Rather, the context here speaks of love as “choosing for intimate fellowship” and hate as “not choosing for intimate fellowship” in the realm of redemption. See notes on Ro 9:6–13. made his mountains a desolation … inheritance. A reference to Edom’s (later called Idumea) destruction, first by Nebuchadnezzar and later by neighboring people, e.g., Egypt, Ammon, and Moab, as well as at the hands of the Nabateans. The MacArthur study Bible
Yes, the people had lost all respect, love and fear of the Lord. They were just going through the motions of worship which was a slap in God's face and as you said, He hates it when people do that. Yet even today some do so.
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Malachi
Sept 4, 2019 10:34:27 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 4, 2019 10:34:27 GMT -5
The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel to Malachi. An overview of the book of Malachi.
Malachi addressing a fifth century BC audience, is the last of the minor prophets. In some ways Malachi serves as a conclusion to that group, from Hosea to Malachi. Throughout the prophetic books we see the positive results of responding to the prophetic call and the negative results of failing to respond. In Malachi, the question of whether the people will respond is left hanging. God desires honesty, true worship and faithfulness. The book ends with a warning that the Lord is coming to judge the wicked, a call to remember the covenant, and an indication that the greatest prophet, Elijah, will come before the day of the Lord. The book of Malachi serves a prophetic bridge to John the Baptist and Jesus, who both used many of Malachi's themes in their preaching.The portrayal of the religious leaders at the time of Christ suggests that Israel had failed to respond to the basics of Malachi's message. When we read what the prophets have said we learn about God, how our sin offends Him, how His justice calls for punishment, how His compassion urges us to respond to Him, and how His grace offers hope. The Bible is God's revelation of himself and we read it not to learn about the people but to learn about God so that we might know Him and respond to Him.
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Malachi
Sept 4, 2019 10:43:05 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 4, 2019 10:43:05 GMT -5
The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel to Malachi. An overview of the book of Malachi.
Malachi addressing a fifth century BC audience, is the last of the minor prophets. In some ways Malachi serves as a conclusion to that group, from Hosea to Malachi. Throughout the prophetic books we see the positive results of responding to the prophetic call and the negative results of failing to respond. In Malachi, the question of whether the people will respond is left hanging. God desires honesty, true worship and faithfulness. The book ends with a warning that the Lord is coming to judge the wicked, a call to remember the covenant, and an indication that the greatest prophet, Elijah, will come before the day of the Lord. The book of Malachi serves a prophetic bridge to John the Baptist and Jesus, who both used many of Malachi's themes in their preaching.The portrayal of the religious leaders at the time of Christ suggests that Israel had failed to respond to the basics of Malachi's message. When we read what the prophets have said we learn about God, how our sin offends Him, how His justice calls for punishment, how His compassion urges us to respond to Him, and how His grace offers hope. The Bible is God's revelation of himself and we read it not to learn about the people but to learn about God so that we might know Him and respond to Him.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 4, 2019 11:44:11 GMT -5
Cindy:
It NOT your fault it got messed up but MY FAULT.
I am so sorry. I even knew to move it ( I did it once awhile back for one book......I only move it properly one time....but I did actually do it ONCE.....sigh)
But I have been having several not a wink of sleep nights,
plus we are now dealing with MORE kids than before,
and getting them to and from school
( a bus for one, but waiting for the bus to come....not knowing exactly when it will come)
and yet
a car ride to and fro .... for the other 2 children...
but also having to pick Hossanah up ...
and the first of the month ,is our once a month shopping etc etc.
Not to forget the landlord was here for 4 days, and he had so many new things he wanted me to do....
like:
garbage issues ( for me to confront the homeless men day or night...not to go thru garbage for bottles,
about no loose garbage to be thrown in ( I am suppose to somehow monitor that?),
people can clean their fish, but not throw the carcasses in, etc. etc.
Issues because our car is leaking oil ( and it cannot be fixed mechanic said ) ( no cardboard or wood to catch the oil leaks.....makes the place look trashy....so we will have to pay for new pebbles if the get oil on them
and on and on.
Oh plus the place across from us caught on fire....the firemen where here for 5 or 6 hours.....kind of scary
And I am not sleeping well ......or not at all....not one wink......
so I just was not thinking well either.....
But I am so so so sorry, it was definitely me......
and
NOT you Cindy, that messed up....You did not, it was 100 percent totally me and I am so sorry!!!
I have been praying a LOT for you as I know you have been having a terrible time of INTENSE pain....
it would HAVE to be so, for you to go to the ER!!!!!!
So I am truly sorry you had to do all that extra work because of me!
And THEN.....................
I also knew to write the background for a new book
( I did read it.....
but I was sooooo tired ,
and so much more was going on, that I don't need to write about.....just know its been crazy around here lately
I just could not fit writing that in.....
However, I certainly did not want to put that on you!!!
I would have done it in the middle of the night...only it would have woken Leonard ( that is not correct English huh LOL...I am starting to talk like the kids)
Again, Please forgive me!!!
Which reminds me we will most likely be done with Malachi by Fri.....so If you or Anna would like to pick a book and do it the right way......Please feel free to do so.
But I am afraid you may not being feeling up to it,
and Anna might not be able......
but if either of you can please do so.
Finally the kids are in school, so I should be slowly on having a bit more time.
Still,
their being in school,
tho it.... may.....give me more time....
I feel badly, in many ways, knowing the propaganda that will be shoved down their throats as truth...
( like evolution, and sexual 'freedom'. and abortion, and climate change etc etc etc.)
Again, I am so sorry for all the confusion and trouble I caused,
and the mess ups.
Last night was yet another not a wink of sleep night, so not sure how well I will be writing. today.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 4, 2019 12:17:56 GMT -5
Malachi 2: 1-17
The Lord Rebukes the Priests
God threatens to curse their blessings.....wow!
That is really a sad state of affairs to even have the blessings of God cursed!
It seems they only went thru the rituals and took none of it to heart.....no real love for God.
The putting of dung on their faces seems so severe but in actuality....the sacrifices of animals did have 'dung' that would normally be taken out of the sanctuary and burned.....so with dung on them....they would be taken out of the sanctuary ( and burned? reminds me of hell....not saying that is what it means, it just reminded me of that)....it does show how disrespectful, rebellious, insincere, serious etc etc. this issue was and is!!
God gives an example of Levi as to what a priest should be like:
Knowing God's Word, teaching the truth, respecting and loving God, peaceful and upright, etc.
These priests also caused many others to stumble.
( I keep falling asleep....but I will keep on)
Judah Profaned the Covenant
And then there was the foreign wives they married.
People often think their marriage is between them and their spouse .....forgetting to include God....
We are not to define it the way we choose and dissolve it when and how we feel like....this is a Holy institution that God loves, and it is a symbol of His love to us.
These pagan wives had their idols they brought with them....it was not about race....but faith and/or false religions/idols etc.
These priests had no compassion on the wives of their youth that they had divorced, they had harden their hearts against them.
God hates divorce.
God tells them to instead:
"So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”
They had wearied God with their complaints and accusations.
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Malachi
Sept 4, 2019 13:11:33 GMT -5
Post by anna on Sept 4, 2019 13:11:33 GMT -5
I think the book of Ecclesiastes ( try remembering how to spell that word lol) would be interesting or fun for us at this time when we are busy with other work. I would like in the wintertime to do a study on Genesis. I have a book about Genesis named The Forgotten Book of Eden. That book is so interesting. I never want to do a study on Revelation, I have read and listened to studies and still people have different opinions and I get more frustrated than blessed.
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Sept 4, 2019 22:18:22 GMT -5
Malachi chapter 1 and 2
The ingratitude of Israel. They are careless in God's institutions
A spiritual worship shall be established. Incense shall be offered to God's name, which signifies prayer and praise. And it shall be a pure offering. When the hour came, in which the true worshipers worshiped the Father in Spirit and in truth, then this incense was offered, even this pure offering. If any be a deceiver, devoting his best to Satan and to his lusts, he is under a curse. Men now, though in a different way, profane the name of the Lord, pollute his table, and show contempt for his worship. It is not enough to just do what is good, but we must do it from a right principle, in a right manner, and for a right end, whether it is the past or present, it is for all people of the earth for all times. All advantages, either as to outward circumstances, or spiritual privileges, come from the free love of God, who makes one to differ from another. All the evils sinners feel and fear, are the just recompense of their crimes, while all their hopes and comforts are from the unmerited mercy of the Lord. He chose his people that they might be holy. If we love him, it is because he has first loved us; yet we all are prone to undervalue the mercies of God, and to excuse our own offences.
chapter 2
The covenant was with Levi. Malachi 2:5-8 5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
A warning to the priesthood and to the unfaithful.
8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.
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Malachi
Sept 5, 2019 9:21:03 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 5, 2019 9:21:03 GMT -5
Cindy:
It NOT your fault it got messed up but MY FAULT.
I am so sorry. I even knew to move it ( I did it once awhile back for one book......I only move it properly one time....but I did actually do it ONCE.....sigh)
But I have been having several not a wink of sleep nights,
plus we are now dealing with MORE kids than before,
and getting them to and from school
( a bus for one, but waiting for the bus to come....not knowing exactly when it will come)
and yet
a car ride to and fro .... for the other 2 children...
but also having to pick Hossanah up ...
and the first of the month ,is our once a month shopping etc etc.
Not to forget the landlord was here for 4 days, and he had so many new things he wanted me to do....
like:
garbage issues ( for me to confront the homeless men day or night...not to go thru garbage for bottles,
about no loose garbage to be thrown in ( I am suppose to somehow monitor that?),
people can clean their fish, but not throw the carcasses in, etc. etc.
Issues because our car is leaking oil ( and it cannot be fixed mechanic said ) ( no cardboard or wood to catch the oil leaks.....makes the place look trashy....so we will have to pay for new pebbles if the get oil on them
and on and on.
Oh plus the place across from us caught on fire....the firemen where here for 5 or 6 hours.....kind of scary
And I am not sleeping well ......or not at all....not one wink......
so I just was not thinking well either.....
But I am so so so sorry, it was definitely me......
and
NOT you Cindy, that messed up....You did not, it was 100 percent totally me and I am so sorry!!!
I have been praying a LOT for you as I know you have been having a terrible time of INTENSE pain....
it would HAVE to be so, for you to go to the ER!!!!!!
So I am truly sorry you had to do all that extra work because of me!
And THEN.....................
I also knew to write the background for a new book
( I did read it.....
but I was sooooo tired ,
and so much more was going on, that I don't need to write about.....just know its been crazy around here lately
I just could not fit writing that in.....
However, I certainly did not want to put that on you!!!
I would have done it in the middle of the night...only it would have woken Leonard ( that is not correct English huh LOL...I am starting to talk like the kids)
Again, Please forgive me!!!
Which reminds me we will most likely be done with Malachi by Fri.....so If you or Anna would like to pick a book and do it the right way......Please feel free to do so.
But I am afraid you may not being feeling up to it,
and Anna might not be able......
but if either of you can please do so.
Finally the kids are in school, so I should be slowly on having a bit more time.
Still,
their being in school,
tho it.... may.....give me more time....
I feel badly, in many ways, knowing the propaganda that will be shoved down their throats as truth...
( like evolution, and sexual 'freedom'. and abortion, and climate change etc etc etc.)
Again, I am so sorry for all the confusion and trouble I caused,
and the mess ups.
Last night was yet another not a wink of sleep night, so not sure how well I will be writing. today.  How about if we agree that it was both of our faults?  And of course I forgive you and understand that it happened because of lack of sleep. I hope you're feeling better soon.
Malachi 2:1-17
The Lord Rebukes the Priests
God threatens to curse their blessings.....wow!
That is really a sad state of affairs to even have the blessings of God cursed!
It seems they only went thru the rituals and took none of it to heart.....no real love for God.
The putting of dung on their faces seems so severe but in actuality....the sacrifices of animals did have 'dung' that would normally be taken out of the sanctuary and burned.....so with dung on them....they would be taken out of the sanctuary ( and burned? reminds me of hell....not saying that is what it means, it just reminded me of that)....it does show how disrespectful, rebellious, insincere, serious etc etc. this issue was and is!!
God gives an example of Levi as to what a priest should be like:
Knowing God's Word, teaching the truth, respecting and loving God, peaceful and upright, etc.
These priests also caused many others to stumble.
( I keep falling asleep....but I will keep on)
Judah Profaned the Covenant
And then there was the foreign wives they married.
People often think their marriage is between them and their spouse .....forgetting to include God....
We are not to define it the way we choose and dissolve it when and how we feel like....this is a Holy institution that God loves, and it is a symbol of His love to us.
These pagan wives had their idols they brought with them....it was not about race....but faith and/or false religions/idols etc.
These priests had no compassion on the wives of their youth that they had divorced, they had harden their hearts against them.
God hates divorce.
God tells them to instead:
"So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”
They had wearied God with their complaints and accusations.
 Good job! I'd only like to add something from one of the commentaries about this last verse as it affects us today: “You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”” (Malachi 2:17) This complaint was their way of expressing unhappiness with God for not sending the Messiah. To their minds the Messiah was overdue. Many today make the same mistake about Christ’s 2nd coming. They look at the ‘signs of the times’, fix a date, and then get disillusioned with God when the date passes. Let us remember that we do not have God’s wisdom and that God does not reckon time as we do (2 Peter 3:8–9). If we forget these things, our faith will be shaken and we shall make ourselves tiresome to God. Opening up Malachi.
I think the book of Ecclesiastes ( try remembering how to spell that word lol) would be interesting or fun for us at this time when we are busy with other work. I would like in the wintertime to do a study on Genesis. I have a book about Genesis named The Forgotten Book of Eden. That book is so interesting. I never want to do a study on Revelation, I have read and listened to studies and still people have different opinions and I get more frustrated than blessed. Malachi chapter 1 and 2
The ingratitude of Israel. They are careless in God's institutions
A spiritual worship shall be established. Incense shall be offered to God's name, which signifies prayer and praise. And it shall be a pure offering. When the hour came, in which the true worshipers worshiped the Father in Spirit and in truth, then this incense was offered, even this pure offering. If any be a deceiver, devoting his best to Satan and to his lusts, he is under a curse. Men now, though in a different way, profane the name of the Lord, pollute his table, and show contempt for his worship. It is not enough to just do what is good, but we must do it from a right principle, in a right manner, and for a right end, whether it is the past or present, it is for all people of the earth for all times. All advantages, either as to outward circumstances, or spiritual privileges, come from the free love of God, who makes one to differ from another. All the evils sinners feel and fear, are the just recompense of their crimes, while all their hopes and comforts are from the unmerited mercy of the Lord. He chose his people that they might be holy. If we love him, it is because he has first loved us; yet we all are prone to undervalue the mercies of God, and to excuse our own offences.
chapter 2
The covenant was with Levi. Malachi 2:5-8 5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
A warning to the priesthood and to the unfaithful.
8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Malachi
Sept 5, 2019 11:35:47 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 5, 2019 11:35:47 GMT -5
Yes Ecclesiastes works for me.
Thank you for your kind compassionate remark Cindy.
I did sleep well last night, catching up a bit, but it been strange a couple of nights of fairly good sleep, and then a couple nights of little or no sleep.....back and forth.
Some ( or most) of the sleepless nights I just spend time praying all night.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 5, 2019 12:56:21 GMT -5
Malachi 3: 1-18
There is a prophesied messenger who we know is John the Baptist.
The priests keep up arguing ( and thus giving excuses) with God,
always asking: How????
have we ------------
( sinned in any way against you???? that is more or less how I read it).
Nevertheless, God answers them and tells them, He will set things straight when He comes back ( and a messenger will come first to prepare the way).
I was wondering what this meant:
"...like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap"
but thankfully, in my study bible by John MacArthur,
he explained it thusly:
2 purifying agents- fire to burn off the dross of iniquity, and the soap to wash out the stain of sin.
Reading this reminded me of today:
"I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me..."
To me this shows that those who think man is evolving and ascending to higher levels, proves people are not getting better ( and perhaps just the opposite ) sin and sinners, are
still with us ).
Furthermore, the interest ( in movies, books, TV etc. with demons, witches, etc is ever increasing). Once illegal drugs are now becoming legal. And the world is becoming filled more and more with either atheists or 'spiritual' people of all manner of cults, but they have lost any fear or respect of the true God.
Robbing God
God declares He does not change......thankfully or we'd all be consumed.....His loving kindness does not cease, but also judgement must be had.
and then God says:
"Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts."
A call for repentance.....but what do the priests ( and really many non-believers)
"But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ "
Some people may ask this very sincerely
and others
as an excuse, a reason to keep arguing....
( from an rebellious, rebellious, peevish and unrepentant heart).
They then also ask:
how...have we robbed you?
Well since absolutely everything, if fact, belongs to God....
yet God does not demand we give Him everything
Still, it ought to be our hearts desire, honor and act of love and worship to give back to Him, whatever we can. In their case 10 percent .
In not giving, it also affected the priest who had to give up their ministry and become farmers in order to survive.
In the end by stealing from God they ended up ( as do all) in robbing themselves.
Strange as it may seem, giving.....does bless us....not giving can and often ( I am leaning towards it always does in the end) does curse us.
Some of the most wealthy people have found that out.
it really shocking but God actually gives them a challenge and allows them to test Him....saying try bring to the storehouse and see:
"f I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need"
Now that seems like a challenge that ought be taken :-)
Of course I am joking, we are not to give because of hoped for blessings of all kinds for ourselves
rather
we give out of love for
our Father God in Heaven,
who does, in fact, give us blessings...in the past, now and for all eternity.
Then they ask/say....what good is it serving you God?
Huh?
The fact you have air to breath....how is that for a start?
yeah but the evil prosper.....( they always talk back)
God says: " I will rebuke the devourer for you...."
What an amazing promise ( in soooo many ways).
God does point out the obvious:
"“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord."
I think this means they were not really really asking any of these questions in sincerity, rather it was about the bottom line....what benefit am I getting? It's like they are accusing God of being a bad slave to them, a bad genii, etc. not the Holy, Creator loving God they should honor, worship, love and obey.
The Book of Remembrance
However, or nevertheless, those who do love and honor Him are in God's book of Remembrance....which is a great comfort. We and they belong to God
I have often thought, the 'greedy' .....
in a certain way.......
want and ask for tooooo little.
They want a LOT the material things of this life....
but actually,
believers will get an eternity of so far more than that...
.in love and everything else....
more than any of us can even imagine!!
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Sept 5, 2019 16:47:33 GMT -5
Malachi 3
The priests are reproved for neglecting their covenant, and the people are reproved for their evil practices. What is said of the covenant of priesthood, is true of the covenant of grace made with all believers, as spiritual priests. It is a covenant of life and peace; it assures all believers happiness. The people are concerned to know the will of the Lord. We must not only consult the written word, but listen to instruction and advice from God's messengers. Those that walk with God in peace and righteousness, and turn others from sin, honor God; he will honor them, while those who despise him shall be lightly esteemed.
Corrupt practices are the fruit of corrupt principles; and he who is false to his God, will not be true to his fellow man. It is wearisome to God to hear people justify themselves in wicked practices. Those who think God can be a friend to sin, insult him, and deceive themselves. The scoffers said, Where is the God of judgement? but the day of the Lord will come.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Malachi
Sept 6, 2019 4:10:15 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 6, 2019 4:10:15 GMT -5
Well said Anna!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 6, 2019 4:24:49 GMT -5
Another no sleep night...
I am going to start this...then probably 'try' to sleep...
or pray
and then
work on it some more in the morning morning ( not at two in other words :-)
So should you see this at 8 in the morning,
I am probably NOT done....
and won't be,
until around 11:30 or so.
Malachi 4: 1-5
The Great Day of the Lord
Some people think the Old Testament ,because it was written soooo long ago, has no relevance to today, or that the OT prophets were too inscrutable to understand....
but neither is true,
and we not only can understand the New Testament so much better,
having read the OT,
it in fact, it also has much, we can apply to our every day lives in 2019!!
These 5 verse point to the future when God will make a final judgement on the wicked, sinful and rebellious.....people are still sinners....just like in the OT.
Pastor John MacArthur points out that 'the day' is mentioned 4 times in these 5 verses.
This is warning the reader to be prepared to meet their maker!
That is as true for anyone living today, as it was waaaaaay back then!!!
Oh by the way....
Several commentaries point out that in the Hebrew Bible Chapter 4 is really just the end of Chapter 3.
The day that is coming will set the arrogant, proud, boastful, evil doing, rebellious sinners ablaze....
this 'fire'reminds me of Hell.
God can either refine with fire or consume with fire.
However those who love, obey and respect God, will have a totally opposite outcome:
"the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall."
The sun of righteousness is Jesus..... ( the actual sun, is not 'righteous').
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield;" Psalm 84:11
There is a constant war between good and evil and and man and Satan, they are mortal enemies, and so the day will come when:
"And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts."
One of the things to do while in this war, is to continue to study the Bible..."
"Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules
John the Baptist would come ....NOT as a reincarnation of Elijah..... but 'like' Elijah ( it is possible that maybe during the tribulation since Elijah who did not die, might be one of the two witnesses...and thus he will yet come himself).
John the Baptist was "in the spirit and power of Elijah" Luke 1:17
And then comes this beautiful verse:
"And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers,...."
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Post by Cindy on Sept 6, 2019 10:35:14 GMT -5
Yes Ecclesiastes works for me.
Thank you for your kind compassionate remark Cindy.
I did sleep well last night, catching up a bit, but it been strange a couple of nights of fairly good sleep, and then a couple nights of little or no sleep.....back and forth.
Some ( or most) of the sleepless nights I just spend time praying all night.
Malachi 3: 1-18
There is a prophesied messenger who we know is John the Baptist.
The priests keep up arguing ( and thus giving excuses) with God,
always asking: How????
have we ------------
( sinned in any way against you???? that is more or less how I read it).
Nevertheless, God answers them and tells them, He will set things straight when He comes back ( and a messenger will come first to prepare the way).
I was wondering what this meant:
"...like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap"
but thankfully, in my study bible by John MacArthur,
he explained it thusly:
2 purifying agents- fire to burn off the dross of iniquity, and the soap to wash out the stain of sin.
Reading this reminded me of today:
"I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me..."
To me this shows that those who think man is evolving and ascending to higher levels, proves people are not getting better ( and perhaps just the opposite ) sin and sinners, are
still with us ).
Furthermore, the interest ( in movies, books, TV etc. with demons, witches, etc is ever increasing). Once illegal drugs are now becoming legal. And the world is becoming filled more and more with either atheists or 'spiritual' people of all manner of cults, but they have lost any fear or respect of the true God.
Robbing God
God declares He does not change......thankfully or we'd all be consumed.....His loving kindness does not cease, but also judgement must be had.
and then God says:
"Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts."
A call for repentance.....but what do the priests ( and really many non-believers)
"But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ "
Some people may ask this very sincerely
and others
as an excuse, a reason to keep arguing....
( from an rebellious, rebellious, peevish and unrepentant heart).
They then also ask:
how...have we robbed you?
Well since absolutely everything, if fact, belongs to God....
yet God does not demand we give Him everything
Still, it ought to be our hearts desire, honor and act of love and worship to give back to Him, whatever we can. In their case 10 percent .
In not giving, it also affected the priest who had to give up their ministry and become farmers in order to survive.
In the end by stealing from God they ended up ( as do all) in robbing themselves.
Strange as it may seem, giving.....does bless us....not giving can and often ( I am leaning towards it always does in the end) does curse us.
Some of the most wealthy people have found that out.
it really shocking but God actually gives them a challenge and allows them to test Him....saying try bring to the storehouse and see:
"f I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need"
Now that seems like a challenge that ought be taken :-)
Of course I am joking, we are not to give because of hoped for blessings of all kinds for ourselves
rather
we give out of love for
our Father God in Heaven,
who does, in fact, give us blessings...in the past, now and for all eternity.
Then they ask/say....what good is it serving you God?
Huh?
The fact you have air to breath....how is that for a start?
yeah but the evil prosper.....( they always talk back)
God says: " I will rebuke the devourer for you...."
What an amazing promise ( in soooo many ways).
God does point out the obvious:
"“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord."
I think this means they were not really really asking any of these questions in sincerity, rather it was about the bottom line....what benefit am I getting? It's like they are accusing God of being a bad slave to them, a bad genii, etc. not the Holy, Creator loving God they should honor, worship, love and obey.
The Book of Remembrance
However, or nevertheless, those who do love and honor Him are in God's book of Remembrance....which is a great comfort. We and they belong to God
I have often thought, the 'greedy' .....
in a certain way.......
want and ask for tooooo little.
They want a LOT the material things of this life....
but actually,
believers will get an eternity of so far more than that...
.in love and everything else....
more than any of us can even imagine!!
Malachi 3
The priests are reproved for neglecting their covenant, and the people are reproved for their evil practices. What is said of the covenant of priesthood, is true of the covenant of grace made with all believers, as spiritual priests. It is a covenant of life and peace; it assures all believers happiness. The people are concerned to know the will of the Lord. We must not only consult the written word, but listen to instruction and advice from God's messengers. Those that walk with God in peace and righteousness, and turn others from sin, honor God; he will honor them, while those who despise him shall be lightly esteemed.
Corrupt practices are the fruit of corrupt principles; and he who is false to his God, will not be true to his fellow man. It is wearisome to God to hear people justify themselves in wicked practices. Those who think God can be a friend to sin, insult him, and deceive themselves. The scoffers said, Where is the God of judgement? but the day of the Lord will come.
Another no sleep night...
I am going to start this...then probably 'try' to sleep...
or pray
and then
work on it some more in the morning morning ( not at two in other words :-)
So should you see this at 8 in the morning,
I am probably NOT done....
and won't be,
until around 11:30 or so.
Malachi 4: 1-5
The Great Day of the Lord
Some people think the Old Testament ,because it was written soooo long ago, has no relevance to today, or that the OT prophets were too inscrutable to understand....
but neither is true,
and we not only can understand the New Testament so much better,
having read the OT,
it in fact, it also has much, we can apply to our every day lives in 2019!!
These 5 verse point to the future when God will make a final judgement on the wicked, sinful and rebellious.....people are still sinners....just like in the OT.
Pastor John MacArthur points out that 'the day' is mentioned 4 times in these 5 verses.
This is warning the reader to be prepared to meet their maker!
That is as true for anyone living today, as it was waaaaaay back then!!!
Oh by the way....
Several commentaries point out that in the Hebrew Bible Chapter 4 is really just the end of Chapter 3.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Sept 6, 2019 13:15:54 GMT -5
My finished post went above yours so I copied it and here it is again so it is easier to find.
Another no sleep night...
I am going to start this...then probably 'try' to sleep...
or pray
and then
work on it some more in the morning morning ( not at two in other words :-)
So should you see this at 8 in the morning,
I am probably NOT done....
and won't be,
until around 11:30 or so.
Malachi 4: 1-5
The Great Day of the Lord
Some people think the Old Testament ,because it was written soooo long ago, has no relevance to today, or that the OT prophets were too inscrutable to understand....
but neither is true,
and we not only can understand the New Testament so much better,
having read the OT,
it in fact, it also has much, we can apply to our every day lives in 2019!!
These 5 verses point to the future when God will make a final judgement on the wicked, sinful and rebellious.....
people are still sinners....just like in the OT.
Pastor John MacArthur points out that 'the day' is mentioned 4 times in these 5 verses.
This is warning the reader to be prepared to meet their maker!
That is as true for anyone living today, as it was waaaaaay back then!!!
Oh by the way....
Several commentaries point out that in the Hebrew Bible Chapter 4 is really just the end of Chapter 3.
The day that is coming will set the arrogant, proud, boastful, evil doing, rebellious sinners ablaze....
this 'fire'reminds me of Hell.
God can either refine with fire or consume with fire.
However those who love, obey and respect God, will have a totally opposite outcome:
"the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall."
The sun of righteousness is Jesus..... ( the actual sun, is not 'righteous').
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield;" Psalm 84:11
There is a constant war between good and evil and and man and Satan, they are mortal enemies, and so the day will come when:
"And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts."
One of the things to do while in this war, is to continue to study the Bible..."
"Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules
John the Baptist would come ....NOT as a reincarnation of Elijah..... but 'like' Elijah ( it is possible that maybe during the tribulation since Elijah who did not die, might be one of the two witnesses...and thus he will yet come himself).
John the Baptist was "in the spirit and power of Elijah" Luke 1:17
And then comes this beautiful verse:
"And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers,...."
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
|
Post by anna on Sept 6, 2019 17:25:19 GMT -5
Malachi 4
This book being a conclusion of prophesy of the OT. We have no prophets today, instead we have the Bible.
It is a reference to the first and to the second coming of Christ: Someday the wicked will burn as though they were in an oven.
Here we read where John the Baptist is the promised forerunner of the Messiah. John the Baptist preached repentance and reformation, as Elijah had done, to reform back to the right path.
John the Baptist preached a doctrine that reached men's hearts. He preached repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
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Malachi
Sept 9, 2019 11:17:07 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 9, 2019 11:17:07 GMT -5
AS I posted in Chat: I thought I was done posting anywhere at least for awhile, but my keyboard seems to be working for the most part again now. Just as few minor problems now...let me type the alphabet and we'll both see what it does now:
as, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, qw, r, as, t, u, v, qw, zx, y, zx. So, if something I write looks weird, you'll know I just didn't see if before I posted. That's not to bad though, just A, Q, S, W, X, and Z are messed up. I'll try to fix them....but not sure how.... It broke because I spilled a full cup of coffee on it!
My finished post went above yours so I copied it and here it is again so it is easier to find.
Another no sleep night...
I am going to start this...then probably 'try' to sleep...
or pray
and then
work on it some more in the morning morning ( not at two in other words :-)
So should you see this at 8 in the morning,
I am probably NOT done....
and won't be,
until around 11:30 or so.
Malachi 4: 1-5
The Great Day of the Lord
Some people think the Old Testament ,because it was written soooo long ago, has no relevance to today, or that the OT prophets were too inscrutable to understand....
but neither is true,
and we not only can understand the New Testament so much better,
having read the OT,
it in fact, it also has much, we can apply to our every day lives in 2019!!
These 5 verses point to the future when God will make a final judgement on the wicked, sinful and rebellious.....
people are still sinners....just like in the OT.
Pastor John MacArthur points out that 'the day' is mentioned 4 times in these 5 verses.
This is warning the reader to be prepared to meet their maker!
That is as true for anyone living today, as it was waaaaaay back then!!!
Oh by the way....
Several commentaries point out that in the Hebrew Bible Chapter 4 is really just the end of Chapter 3.
The day that is coming will set the arrogant, proud, boastful, evil doing, rebellious sinners ablaze....
this 'fire' reminds me of Hell.
God can either refine with fire or consume with fire.
However those who love, obey and respect God, will have a totally opposite outcome:
"the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall."
The sun of righteousness is Jesus..... ( the actual sun, is not 'righteous').
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield;" Psalm 84:11
There is a constant war between good and evil and and man and Satan, they are mortal enemies, and so the day will come when:
"And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts."
One of the things to do while in this war, is to continue to study the Bible..."
"Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules
John the Baptist would come ....NOT as a reincarnation of Elijah..... but 'like' Elijah ( it is possible that maybe during the tribulation since Elijah who did not die, might be one of the two witnesses...and thus he will yet come himself).
John the Baptist was "in the spirit and power of Elijah" Luke 1:17
And then comes this beautiful verse:
"And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers,...."
Malachi 4
This book being a conclusion of prophesy of the OT. We have no prophets today, instead we have the Bible.
It is a reference to the first and to the second coming of Christ: Someday the wicked will burn as though they were in an oven.
Here we read where John the Baptist is the promised forerunner of the Messiah. John the Baptist preached repentance and reformation, as Elijah had done, to reform back to the right path.
John the Baptist preached a doctrine that reached men's hearts. He preached repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
 Well said!
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How about if we agree that it was both of our faults? 
And of course I forgive you and understand that it happened because of lack of sleep. I hope you're feeling better soon. 
Good job! I'd only like to add something from one of the commentaries about this last verse as it affects us today: “You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”” (Malachi 2:17) This complaint was their way of expressing unhappiness with God for not sending the Messiah. To their minds the Messiah was overdue. Many today make the same mistake about Christ’s 2nd coming. They look at the ‘signs of the times’, fix a date, and then get disillusioned with God when the date passes. Let us remember that we do not have God’s wisdom and that God does not reckon time as we do (2 Peter 3:8–9). If we forget these things, our faith will be shaken and we shall make ourselves tiresome to God. Opening up Malachi. 
Well said! 
