May 29, 2023

Scripture Reading: Malachi 3:6

The prophet Malachi, as all prophets did, confronted the people of Israel with their sins.  God speaks in Malachi 3, warning the Israelites of a great coming judgment.  In mercy, however, God reminds them of why He had not destroyed them completely.  In a surprising statement, God reminds...

May 21, 2023

Scripture Reading: Malachi 2:17-3:5

In this passage, Malachi goes far beyond his day, to both the first and second advents of Christ.  The people seem to be wondering why the surrounding, idolatrous nations had prospered while the reconstituted Israel had not flourished.

They looked for justice to be meted out on...

May 15, 2023

Malachi 1:1-5

The book of Malachi is called an 'oracle' in the first verse.  An oracle (some translations use the word 'burden') is a message which has an ominous, threatening tone.  Malachi lived one hundred years after people returned from the Babylonian captivity.  At this time there was (again) widespread spiritual...

May 7, 2023

Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Nestled away in the small, little-known book of Zephaniah is a marvelous declaration of the steadfast love of God.  Zephaniah begins with one of the most chilling statements of God's wrath in all of Scripture and closes with one of the most moving descriptions of God's love for His...