Have you ever read the book of Malachi? I mean really read it to try and understand it?
Oh sure whenever the preacher preaches on tithing and most of us tune it out at that point.
But what about the rest of Malachi?
It tells of the advent of Christ.
It tells us of John the Baptist.
Malachi is the last book of the prophets.
It is the last Direct Word from God recorded 400 yrs before Christ comes.
It is a scathing report on the priesthood. They have turned from God, made Him irrelevant.
Sound familiar?
They have failed to obey God and live the Godly life required for a priest, and in so doing they have led the people astray. They have set a low bar and the people have started to take their (the priests) job serious.
They have turned a blind eye to the people's sin and called it right. they have called good - bad.
The people were doing what they wanted because of their low regard for the priests, and the priests who led them astray are now encouraging even blessing these sins.
Sound familiar?
They (the priests) have allowed imperfect gifts and sacrifices to be given to God, They have let the people act as if God is secondary to them.
Mal 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Mal 1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.
Mal 1:8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
God is not pleased. The priests have failed to lead. They have failed to hold the people accountable. They have turned into men pleasers instead of God pleasers.
Mal 2:17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment.
Sound familiar?
They have allowed the Israelites to put away their wives that they could marry women from other places, breaking their vows, and marriage oaths, They were married before God and they broke their vow to Him to chase after other women.
Mal 2:13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.
Mal 2:14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
Yet later in the book of Malachi we find there is still a remnant of pure and faithful servants.
Sound familiar?
It seems we today have not learned from History therefore we are doomed to repeat it.
Oh sure whenever the preacher preaches on tithing and most of us tune it out at that point.
But what about the rest of Malachi?
It tells of the advent of Christ.
It tells us of John the Baptist.
Malachi is the last book of the prophets.
It is the last Direct Word from God recorded 400 yrs before Christ comes.
It is a scathing report on the priesthood. They have turned from God, made Him irrelevant.
Sound familiar?
They have failed to obey God and live the Godly life required for a priest, and in so doing they have led the people astray. They have set a low bar and the people have started to take their (the priests) job serious.
They have turned a blind eye to the people's sin and called it right. they have called good - bad.
The people were doing what they wanted because of their low regard for the priests, and the priests who led them astray are now encouraging even blessing these sins.
Sound familiar?
They (the priests) have allowed imperfect gifts and sacrifices to be given to God, They have let the people act as if God is secondary to them.
Mal 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Mal 1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.
Mal 1:8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
God is not pleased. The priests have failed to lead. They have failed to hold the people accountable. They have turned into men pleasers instead of God pleasers.
Mal 2:17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment.
Sound familiar?
They have allowed the Israelites to put away their wives that they could marry women from other places, breaking their vows, and marriage oaths, They were married before God and they broke their vow to Him to chase after other women.
Mal 2:13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.
Mal 2:14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
Sound Familiar?
So many times we say we must be in the last times, that man has never been this corrupt. That never has the ministry and ministers of God been so weak. Yet here we have proof that it is a common occurrence,
I am willing to bet the people lost sight of God's power, and the priests ,for fear of losing the power and influence with the people, started letting the people have their way. Telling them what they wanted to hear instead of what they need to hear,Yet later in the book of Malachi we find there is still a remnant of pure and faithful servants.
Sound familiar?
It seems we today have not learned from History therefore we are doomed to repeat it.
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