Getting to Know the ProphetsSample
Malachi
The Israelites had only been back from exile about a hundred years, circa 424 BC, when we observe the rituals of the Jewish religious requirements led them to be a people of hard-heartedness toward God. The people and the priests had departed from a life pleasing to the Lord. Malachi brought a series of messages to the Israelites to reveal to them the ways in which their lives were not honoring God and called them to repentance.
The first three messages delivered by Malachi exposed corruption in the lives of the Israelites. God revealed the corruption to Israel, and each time the people came back with a disagreement or questions regarding truth. God continued His communication with them by responding to their conflicts. Throughout every message, the Lord reminded them of their unfaithfulness to Him and called them to respond.
- Has God ever called something out in your life, and you disagreed with Him or made excuses for why that is continuing?
- Do you ever see yourself watering down the commands of God to allow you to live the life you want to? Are there areas of your life in which you need to compare to God’s standard and see if you are glorifying Him in your daily activities?
Prayer: Lord, I ask You today to “create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Thank You, Lord.