IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Honor the Lord Almighty

Date: Aug. 27, 2019

Passage

Malachi 1:1-14 (ESV)

The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the LORD of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the LORD is angry forever.’” Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the LORD beyond the border of Israel!”

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the LORD’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts. And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the LORD of hosts. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food, may be despised. 13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

Daily Bread

Introduction to Malachi

Key Verse: 1:11a

For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.

1. "I have loved you," says the LORD (1-5)

Malachi's prophecy begins with the LORD's message, "I have loved you." However, the people doubted God's love. The LORD reminded his people that his love was demonstrated in his choice of Jacob over Esau. God chose Jacob and his descendants because of his one-sided love and sovereign choice. Over time, the descendants of Esau would be judged for their evil and pride. We cannot fully understand God's choice in love. But we can be certain that God loves us because of his word and promise in Jesus (1 Jn 4:10; Ro 5:8).

2. "For I am a great king" (6-14)

The people dishonored God and showed contempt for his name by offering diseased animals. Such animals couldn't be given to earthly governors who would certainly refuse them. How could they dare offer them to the LORD God Almighty, the greatest King? God desires that his name be honored everywhere in the world with pure offerings from a broken and contrite heart (Ps 51:17). This begins from those who are called by his name (2 Ch 7:14).

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, thank you for your amazing love. Help me to honor you with offerings worthy of your name.

One Word: God's name will be great

Daily Bread

The Lamb Will Triumph

Revelation 17:1-18

Key Verse: 17:14

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

Read More

Intro Daily