Malachi 1:11"For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles...v12 But you have profaned it, in that you say, The table of the LORD is polluted, and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible"
The following is a quote by the wife of Joel Osteen . Osteen is the author of the book Love Your Life, and is “co-pastor” of Lakewood in Houston, Texas. Her husband Joel is known for his motivational speeches and his books Your Best Life Now and It’s Your Time.: Taken from-
http://christiannews.net/2014/08/28/do-good-for-your-own-self-osteen-says-obedience-worship-not-for-god-video/
“I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God—I mean, that’s one way to look at it—we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we’re happy,” she declares in the undated 36-second clip with her husband standing by her side and nodding. “That’s the thing that gives Him the greatest joy…”
“So, I want you to know this morning: Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy,” Osteen continues. “When you come to church, when you worship Him, you’re not doing it for God really. You’re doing it for yourself, because that’s what makes God happy. Amen?”
What do you think of the above statement?
Really ? Doing for ourselves? Happy happy for ourselves? Does that make God happy if we are happy happy?
Reflections
Malachi was a prophet during the time of Nehemiah. His name means "Messenger" He spoke during the period around 432 - 425BC. His book was the prelude to the 400 years of prophetic silence and was broken by the next prophet John the Baptist.
1. The corruption of priests
Mal 1: 6 "O priests, that despise his name"! So much contempt by the priests for His name. Such is the statement above by a relatively popular preacher of our time today. Living is no longer for the true worship of Yahweh but for self edification. No longer God-centred by humans-centred. It is an upside down world today indeed.
2. The Curse of priests
Mal 2:2 "If you will not hear and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto his name...he will even send a curse upon you.."
Mal 2:7 " 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"
Mal 2:8 "But you are departed out the way, you have caused many to stumble at the law, you have corrupted the covenant of Levi"
It is kind of scary to fall into the hands of our Lord. Popular as it might have seen that books like Osteen hit more than 10mio in sales. Do the people agree with his teaching or are there many out there who are now stumbled? Kind of scary to think of the impact.
3. The Coming of the Real incorruptible High Priest
Who is this Great High Priest?
- He is the refiner's fire or a launderer's soap who will cleanse us all Mal3:2
- He is the unchangeable One Mal 3:6
- He is the compassionate Father Mal 3:17
- He is Jehovah Sabbaoth - The Lord of Hosts (is mentioned 20 times in Malachi in the KJV)
- He is the Great King Mal 1:14
- He is the convenantal LORD . Mal 2:5
- He is to be feared , respected, not treated with contempt Mal 2:5
- He is a Holy God. Mal 2:11
- He is proven and tested, unchallenged , unparalled Mal3:10
- He is the Judge Mal3:16-18.
- He is the Sun of righteousness that arose with healing in his wings Mal4:2
As Malachi had written in the very first verse, For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles, indeed He is the Sun and Son of Righteousness.
Caught this morning sunrise on 23/8/2014 and decided to capture the sunrise at few min intervals. The notable change in the whole lighting was about an hour later past 8am. It was a glorious sight to behold. To always remember the soon and coming Son of God, our returning King, Yahweh - to reign in justice and righteousness. Amen.
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