“I have loved you,” says the Lord.
“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’
Malachi 1:2
Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, and it starts with a powerful statement from the Lord who declares what He has told His people. He loves them, but they doubt it. Throughout scripture we see God’s stubborn people say “I doubt it!”
God’s message to His people in the book of Malachi is hinged between the testaments and the springboard to Christmas - the birth of Jesus, the promises of a messenger, and the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
In that day the righteous will rejoice, and “you will trample down the wicked.” -Malachi 4:1-3
Nearly 400 years separate the time of Nehemiah from the birth of our Lord Jesus. Sometimes called the “silent” years, these years were not silent at all. But beneath the confusion and chaos, were God’s words “I have loved you.” Israel doubts it, do you?
Before you doubt, take a moment and reflect upon what we have learned in the first 20 chapters of The Story. Yahweh is always faithful to His covenantal promises, always, and He will make things right again.
The Lord states “My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets.” (Malachi 1:11). In all areas of the world, all people even non-Israelites will one day honor the Lord. These promises are fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord who “holds all authority in heaven and earth.” (Matthew 28:18)
You are blessed because you know Jesus did come, the promise was fulfilled, and he will come again too. Do you doubt it? Why? Hear the words of the Lord. “I have loved you.”
See you Sunday as we conclude the Old Testament in chapter 21 of The Story, I can’t wait!
PS: *Next week, we celebrate the birth of our King- Christmas in September!
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