Man, those Israelites...what was their deal?

Man, those Israelites...can you believe that they did not hear God's message? They did not see God's miracles...believe God's Word?

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!"  (Malachi 3:10 NLT)

Today

We meet many people, even ourselves, who say we are Christian, yet we do not want to follow God's ways. Maybe we are afraid we will lose what we have worked so hard to get. Justifying how we do not have enough money to tithe, not enough time to serve, or to read God's word; not enough willpower to do what His word tells us to do.

The focus may be self-centered, fearful and totally following Satan's plan - as he causes us to be discouraged, to have doubt, to feel like a failure - as he causes division between us and God. A broken relationship because of sin, hypocrisy, careless living, and neglecting God...The focus may be full of denial, as in verse 7 where God says, "return to me". This all can have devastating consequences.

As with the Israelite's, today we have also turned away - yet we say: "But how can we return when we have never gone away?" We are practicing denial, just as they did back in 430BC. They did not hear God's will, they practiced expediency, neglect, and disobedience. Not wanting to be held responsible for their feelings, attitudes, or behaviors. Are we much different? 

What Can We Learn

We read Malachi 1:13 NLT:

You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.

We think, how could they do such things, what were they thinking, they had all the evidence in front of their eyes....How can we? We have all the evidence in God's word! 

Do we steal money, time, or other's belongings, and keep everything He provides for our-self? Do we justify our disobedience? Do we take short-cuts to get to where we want to be? Can we ask ourselves these hard questions? Are we really God's children, calling ourselves Christians?

During that time, people sacrificed to God wrongly:

1. being as cheap as possible
2. not caring how they offered their sacrifice (grumbling, reluctantly vs.  joyfully and cheerfully).
3. outright disobedience

Their method of giving demonstrated their real attitude toward God...Do expedience, neglect, and disobedience characterize our giving?

What can we learn, in God's word, about how the Israelite's did not follow God's ways, word or will for their lives?

God's Mercy

“Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (Malachi 1:9 NLT)

We misjudge God's word - we are not hearing - He is faithful. He says: "Give and you will receive" (Luke 6:38 NLT). 

God is ready to return to us, if we are willing to return to Him! God's will is for us to remain faithful to Him. To love, fear, honor, and respect Him!

How often do I say, "I want to know God's will for my life?"


Rita Shipman, MCC
480-861-4487

Rita is a Christian Counselor who is seeking to grow in understanding and knowledge of God's word, "to be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him in the next". (Serenity Prayer).