IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Introduction to Malachi

Key Verse: 1:5

First, a love story (1-5). The book of Malachi begins with this word of the Lord: "I have loved you." Malachi spoke during the time of Nehemiah, over seventy years after the initial exiles came back to the land. It was discouraging for them to rebuild the land. Suffering planted doubt of God's love in them. God exposed this and reminded them that he had made a clear distinction between Israel and Edom, in fact between Israel and all nations. His love is not the guarantee of good or easy times; it is his choice to use them to reveal his glory in all the earth.

Second, my name is to be feared among the nations (6-14). The people of Israel had lost their point of honoring God and worshiping him, and made their worship a contemptible thing in God's sight. They didn't mind offering diseased animals as sacrifices, and the Lord declared their offerings useless. The Lord intended their worship to honor his purpose of making his name great and feared among the nations. The Israelites pondered in their minds the question of God's love for them, but he made them to declare his name among all nations. They were called to love and honor God like that.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love. Help me to live up to your calling. Bless me to honor you and declare your greatness to all nations.

One Word: Offer your love to God