WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.840 Nancy: Welcome to immerse: the daily bible reading experience. 00:00:02.920 --> 00:00:04.100 day 200 and 81 00:00:04.829 --> 00:00:05.849 immersed in Malachi 00:00:08.219 --> 00:00:10.409 sometime after the temple had been rebuilt. 00:00:10.409 --> 00:00:14.059 Through the challenges and encouragement of the prophets, Haggai and Zacharia, 00:00:15.179 --> 00:00:18.539 God sent another prophet to urge the people to worship him properly. 00:00:18.539 --> 00:00:22.379 There, this message came from the Lord through the prophet. 00:00:22.379 --> 00:00:23.729 We now know as Malachi. 00:00:25.274 --> 00:00:30.344 Since the prophet's name in Hebrew simply means my messenger, it is possible 00:00:30.344 --> 00:00:34.454 that we don't know his real name and that he was simply a messenger of God. 00:00:35.624 --> 00:00:39.014 Malachi took a distinctive approach in bringing God's word to the 00:00:39.014 --> 00:00:42.734 people who had returned from exile to draw their attention to 00:00:42.734 --> 00:00:44.174 issues that needed correcting. 00:00:44.594 --> 00:00:48.674 He would make a provocative claim, anticipate their defensive response, 00:00:49.154 --> 00:00:50.894 and then answer their objections. 00:00:51.779 --> 00:00:53.849 For example, speaking is God's messenger. 00:00:53.849 --> 00:00:58.799 He says, should people cheat God, yet you have cheated me? 00:00:59.519 --> 00:01:01.349 He envisions the people responding. 00:01:02.339 --> 00:01:03.269 What do you mean? 00:01:03.479 --> 00:01:05.189 When did we ever cheat you? 00:01:05.909 --> 00:01:10.889 Then he explains, you have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 00:01:11.639 --> 00:01:14.789 The book of Malachi includes six such exchanges with the 00:01:14.789 --> 00:01:16.889 people arranged in a chiasm. 00:01:18.164 --> 00:01:20.894 A evil doers will not prosper. 00:01:21.134 --> 00:01:22.604 Edem will not be rebuilt. 00:01:23.264 --> 00:01:26.234 B, the people are not bringing the right offerings. 00:01:26.354 --> 00:01:27.434 Defective animals. 00:01:28.004 --> 00:01:28.454 C. 00:01:28.604 --> 00:01:29.774 Concern for justice. 00:01:30.224 --> 00:01:32.774 Men are divorcing and abandoning their wives. 00:01:33.344 --> 00:01:33.824 C. 00:01:33.884 --> 00:01:35.294 Concern for justice. 00:01:35.624 --> 00:01:36.794 People are complaining. 00:01:37.124 --> 00:01:38.804 Where is God's justice? 00:01:39.344 --> 00:01:39.764 B. 00:01:40.154 --> 00:01:42.254 The people are not bringing the right offerings. 00:01:42.404 --> 00:01:43.424 No tithes. 00:01:44.054 --> 00:01:46.634 A evil doers will not prosper. 00:01:47.399 --> 00:01:50.339 The people are saying that evil doers go unpunished. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:56.279 There's also a special word of correction to the priests after the second exchange, 00:01:56.699 --> 00:02:00.359 and a series of hopeful promises at the end of the book for those who take 00:02:00.364 --> 00:02:04.799 malachi's corrections to heart and choose to live in a way that honors God. 00:02:05.969 --> 00:02:10.379 Ever since the destruction of Israel's first temple and the nation's exile 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:14.819 to Babylon the twin questions of God's presence with his people. 00:02:15.239 --> 00:02:18.389 And the possibility of a new temple have been prominent. 00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:23.849 Malachi continues this twofold emphasis by focusing on Israel's 00:02:23.849 --> 00:02:25.439 proper worship practices. 00:02:25.469 --> 00:02:30.029 In the rebuild temple, God will be present with his people, but 00:02:30.034 --> 00:02:32.939 will contend with them in order to lead them to become the nation. 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:34.679 He called for a purpose. 00:02:35.819 --> 00:02:40.079 The great and dreadful day of the Lord is coming when God 00:02:40.079 --> 00:02:41.729 will set the whole world right. 00:02:42.734 --> 00:02:46.814 First, he will provide an opportunity for reconciliation promising to 00:02:46.814 --> 00:02:49.934 raise up a new prophet, a new Elijah. 00:02:50.684 --> 00:02:54.674 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the 00:02:54.674 --> 00:02:56.564 hearts of children to their fathers. 00:02:57.764 --> 00:03:02.654 A dual message of obedience and hope closes the book, Israel is 00:03:02.654 --> 00:03:06.254 called to remember and obey God's ancient instructions in the Torah, 00:03:06.824 --> 00:03:09.794 and there are consequences for those who ignore his teaching. 00:03:10.829 --> 00:03:15.359 Towering over it all is the promise of freedom and healing after the 00:03:15.359 --> 00:03:16.979 destruction of those who do wrong. 00:03:17.909 --> 00:03:22.499 Surely the Lord will return to his people and the son of righteousness 00:03:22.499 --> 00:03:24.629 will rise with healing in his wings. 00:03:29.099 --> 00:03:30.179 The prophet Malachi, 00:03:32.279 --> 00:03:36.599 this is the message that the Lord gave to Israel through the prophet Malachi. 00:03:38.504 --> 00:03:43.544 I have always loved you, says the Lord, but you retort. 00:03:44.324 --> 00:03:44.954 Really? 00:03:45.434 --> 00:03:46.814 How have you loved us? 00:03:47.624 --> 00:03:52.244 And the Lord replies, this is how I showed my love for you. 00:03:53.504 --> 00:03:58.184 I loved your ancestor Jacob, but I rejected his brother Esau 00:03:58.454 --> 00:04:00.584 and devastated his hill country. 00:04:01.394 --> 00:04:04.994 I turned Esau's inheritance into a desert for jackals. 00:04:06.509 --> 00:04:10.859 Esau's descendants in EDA may say We have been shattered, 00:04:11.129 --> 00:04:13.259 but we will rebuild the ruins. 00:04:14.189 --> 00:04:16.919 But the Lord of Heaven's armies replies. 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:21.269 They may try to rebuild, but I will demolish them again. 00:04:21.749 --> 00:04:25.799 Their country will be known as the land of wickedness, and their 00:04:25.799 --> 00:04:29.189 people will be called the people with whom the Lord is forever angry. 00:04:30.419 --> 00:04:34.754 When you see the destruction for yourselves, you will say, Truly 00:04:34.754 --> 00:04:39.314 the Lord's greatness reaches far beyond Israel's borders. 00:04:41.324 --> 00:04:46.994 The Lord of heaven's armies says to the priests, a son honors his father 00:04:46.994 --> 00:04:49.094 and a servant respects his master. 00:04:49.664 --> 00:04:54.554 If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? 00:04:55.154 --> 00:05:00.194 You have shown contempt for my name, but you ask, how have we 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:02.294 ever shown contempt for your name? 00:05:03.044 --> 00:05:07.454 You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar. 00:05:08.234 --> 00:05:12.284 Then you ask, how have we defiled the sacrifices? 00:05:13.064 --> 00:05:17.384 You defile them by saying, the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. 00:05:17.984 --> 00:05:22.214 When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn't that wrong? 00:05:22.784 --> 00:05:26.744 And isn't it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? 00:05:27.344 --> 00:05:32.204 Try giving gifts like that to your governor and see how pleased he is. 00:05:32.609 --> 00:05:36.479 Says the Lord of heaven's armies, go ahead. 00:05:36.809 --> 00:05:39.059 Beg God to be merciful to you. 00:05:39.509 --> 00:05:45.269 But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all? 00:05:45.689 --> 00:05:50.999 Ask the Lord of heaven's armies how I wish one of you would shut the 00:05:50.999 --> 00:05:55.139 temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered. 00:05:55.919 --> 00:06:00.089 I am not pleased with you, says the Lord of heaven's, armies, and 00:06:00.089 --> 00:06:01.949 I will not accept your offerings. 00:06:02.594 --> 00:06:06.974 But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. 00:06:07.484 --> 00:06:12.374 All around the world, they offer sweet incense and pure offerings. 00:06:12.614 --> 00:06:18.554 In honor of my name for, my name is great among the nations, says 00:06:18.559 --> 00:06:20.294 the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:06:21.074 --> 00:06:23.744 But you dishonor my name with your actions. 00:06:24.254 --> 00:06:28.364 By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it's all right 00:06:28.424 --> 00:06:30.464 to defile the Lord's table. 00:06:31.229 --> 00:06:37.649 You say it's too hard to serve the Lord, and you turn up your noses at my commands, 00:06:37.979 --> 00:06:40.049 says the Lord of heaven's, armies. 00:06:40.619 --> 00:06:41.459 Think of it. 00:06:41.969 --> 00:06:46.859 Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings. 00:06:47.429 --> 00:06:52.409 Should I accept from you such offerings as these asks the Lord. 00:06:53.369 --> 00:06:58.409 Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock, but then 00:06:58.409 --> 00:07:01.169 sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. 00:07:01.889 --> 00:07:07.229 For I am a great king says the Lord of heaven's, armies, and my 00:07:07.229 --> 00:07:09.959 name is feared among the nations. 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:15.689 Listen you priests, this command is for you. 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:20.279 Listen to me and make up your minds to honor my name. 00:07:20.909 --> 00:07:26.279 Says the Lord of Heaven's armies, or I will bring a terrible curse against you. 00:07:26.909 --> 00:07:29.819 I will curse even the blessings you receive. 00:07:30.299 --> 00:07:32.819 Indeed, I have already cursed them. 00:07:33.239 --> 00:07:36.239 Because you have not taken my warning to heart. 00:07:37.049 --> 00:07:41.219 I will punish your descendants in splatter your faces with the manure 00:07:41.219 --> 00:07:46.349 from your festival sacrifices, and I will throw you on the manure pile. 00:07:46.859 --> 00:07:52.319 Then at last you'll know it was I who sent you this warning so that my 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:58.169 covenant with the Levites can continue says the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:07:59.159 --> 00:08:03.239 The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and 00:08:03.239 --> 00:08:06.059 peace, and that is what I gave them. 00:08:06.929 --> 00:08:11.309 This required reverence from them and they greatly revered 00:08:11.309 --> 00:08:13.799 me and stood in awe of my name. 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:16.109 They passed on to the people. 00:08:16.109 --> 00:08:18.959 The truth of the instructions they received from me. 00:08:19.679 --> 00:08:21.539 They did not lie or cheat. 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:26.789 They walked with me living good and righteous lives, and they 00:08:26.794 --> 00:08:29.399 turned many from lives of sin. 00:08:30.479 --> 00:08:35.639 The words of a priest's lips should preserve knowledge of God and people 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:37.469 should go to him for instruction. 00:08:37.889 --> 00:08:41.489 For the priest is the messenger of the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:08:42.719 --> 00:08:45.479 But you priests have left God's paths. 00:08:46.049 --> 00:08:49.469 Your instructions have caused many to stumble into sin. 00:08:50.099 --> 00:08:53.999 You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites says 00:08:53.999 --> 00:08:55.619 the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:08:56.279 --> 00:09:01.409 So I have made you despised and humiliated in the eyes of all the 00:09:01.409 --> 00:09:06.749 people, for you have not obeyed me, but have shown favoritism in the 00:09:06.749 --> 00:09:08.939 way you carry out my instructions. 00:09:11.219 --> 00:09:13.919 Are we not all children of the same father? 00:09:14.699 --> 00:09:17.399 Are we not all created by the same God? 00:09:18.359 --> 00:09:23.729 Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors? 00:09:24.839 --> 00:09:29.129 Judah has been unfaithful and a detestable thing has been done 00:09:29.129 --> 00:09:31.349 in Israel and in Jerusalem. 00:09:32.069 --> 00:09:36.959 The men of Judah have defiled the Lord's beloved sanctuary by 00:09:36.964 --> 00:09:39.389 marrying women who worship idols. 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:43.289 May the Lord cut off from the nation of Israel. 00:09:43.469 --> 00:09:47.669 Every last man who has done this and yet brings an offering to 00:09:47.669 --> 00:09:49.409 the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:09:50.099 --> 00:09:51.899 Here is another thing you do. 00:09:52.619 --> 00:09:57.869 You cover the Lord's altar with tears weeping and groaning because he pays 00:09:57.869 --> 00:10:02.069 no attention to your offerings and doesn't accept them with pleasure. 00:10:02.909 --> 00:10:03.929 You cry out. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:06.989 Why doesn't the Lord accept my worship? 00:10:07.859 --> 00:10:09.089 I'll tell you why. 00:10:09.689 --> 00:10:14.249 Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young, 00:10:14.969 --> 00:10:17.099 but you have been unfaithful to her. 00:10:17.684 --> 00:10:22.214 Though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. 00:10:23.234 --> 00:10:25.664 Didn't the Lord make you one with your wife? 00:10:26.354 --> 00:10:29.474 Embody and spirit, you are his. 00:10:30.074 --> 00:10:31.154 And what does he want? 00:10:31.904 --> 00:10:34.334 Godly children from your union. 00:10:35.144 --> 00:10:41.804 So God, your heart remain loyal to the wife of your youth for I hate divorce, 00:10:42.044 --> 00:10:44.504 says the Lord, the God of Israel. 00:10:45.224 --> 00:10:49.514 To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty, says 00:10:49.514 --> 00:10:51.074 the Lord of heaven's Armies. 00:10:51.734 --> 00:10:52.934 So guard your heart. 00:10:53.414 --> 00:10:56.144 Do not be unfaithful to your wife. 00:10:58.214 --> 00:11:01.124 You have wearied the Lord with your words. 00:11:01.874 --> 00:11:03.314 How have we wearied him? 00:11:03.494 --> 00:11:04.124 You ask. 00:11:04.934 --> 00:11:08.804 You have weed him by saying that all who do evil are good in the Lord's 00:11:08.804 --> 00:11:11.174 sight and he is pleased with them. 00:11:11.684 --> 00:11:16.334 You have wearied him by asking Where is the God of justice? 00:11:17.474 --> 00:11:22.394 Look, I am sending my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. 00:11:22.934 --> 00:11:26.414 Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his temple, 00:11:27.074 --> 00:11:28.754 the messenger of the covenant. 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:35.339 Whom you look for so eagerly is surely coming, says the Lord of heaven's armies, 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:41.159 but who will be able to endure it when he comes, who will be able to stand and 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:48.059 face him when he appears for he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or 00:11:48.089 --> 00:11:50.609 like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 00:11:51.119 --> 00:11:55.529 He will sit like a refiner of silver burning away the dross. 00:11:56.414 --> 00:12:01.004 He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver 00:12:01.154 --> 00:12:05.474 so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. 00:12:06.434 --> 00:12:12.134 Then once more, the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of 00:12:12.134 --> 00:12:15.734 Judah and Jerusalem as he did in the past. 00:12:16.814 --> 00:12:19.754 At that time, I will put you on trial. 00:12:20.684 --> 00:12:25.544 I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. 00:12:26.234 --> 00:12:30.824 I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress 00:12:30.824 --> 00:12:37.124 widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice. 00:12:37.184 --> 00:12:42.104 For these people, do not fear me, says the Lord of heaven's, armies. 00:12:44.114 --> 00:12:47.024 I am the Lord and I do not change. 00:12:47.684 --> 00:12:51.974 That is why you, descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. 00:12:53.009 --> 00:12:57.029 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my 00:12:57.029 --> 00:12:59.279 decrees and failed to obey them. 00:13:00.209 --> 00:13:05.639 Now, return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:13:06.479 --> 00:13:10.439 But you ask, how can we return when we have never gone away? 00:13:11.459 --> 00:13:14.939 Should people cheat God, yet you have cheated me. 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:19.919 But you ask, what do you mean when did we ever cheat you? 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:24.389 You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:28.799 You are under a curse for your whole nation has been cheating me. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:35.069 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my temple. 00:13:35.909 --> 00:13:40.979 If you do, says the Lord of heaven's armies, I will open 00:13:40.979 --> 00:13:42.629 the windows of heaven for you. 00:13:43.349 --> 00:13:45.119 I will pour out a blessing. 00:13:45.119 --> 00:13:45.869 So great. 00:13:45.869 --> 00:13:47.969 You won't have enough room to take it in. 00:13:48.599 --> 00:13:48.959 Try it. 00:13:49.829 --> 00:13:51.149 Put me to the test. 00:13:51.689 --> 00:13:53.879 Your crops will be abundant for. 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:56.849 I will guard them from insects and disease. 00:13:57.599 --> 00:14:01.289 Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe. 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:04.139 Says the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:06.989 Then all nations will call you. 00:14:06.994 --> 00:14:13.559 Blessed for your land will be such a delight, says the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:14:15.629 --> 00:14:18.059 You have said terrible things about me. 00:14:18.644 --> 00:14:19.514 Says the Lord. 00:14:20.264 --> 00:14:22.754 But you say, what do you mean? 00:14:23.174 --> 00:14:24.914 What have we said against you? 00:14:25.814 --> 00:14:29.354 You have said, what's the use of serving God? 00:14:30.224 --> 00:14:34.424 What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to 00:14:34.429 --> 00:14:38.894 show the Lord of heaven's armies that we are sorry for our sins? 00:14:39.884 --> 00:14:42.584 From now on, we will call the arrogant. 00:14:42.614 --> 00:14:43.394 Blessed. 00:14:43.814 --> 00:14:47.414 For those who do evil, get rich, and those who dare God 00:14:47.414 --> 00:14:50.444 to punish them suffer no harm. 00:14:52.454 --> 00:14:56.534 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other and the 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:58.424 Lord listened to what they said. 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:04.349 In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names 00:15:04.349 --> 00:15:08.939 of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:13.709 They will be my people, says the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:19.469 On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. 00:15:20.219 --> 00:15:22.229 I will spare them as a father. 00:15:22.229 --> 00:15:24.149 Spares an obedient child. 00:15:24.974 --> 00:15:27.884 Then you will again see the difference between the righteous 00:15:27.884 --> 00:15:32.294 and the wicked between those who serve God and those who do not. 00:15:33.494 --> 00:15:38.144 The Lord of heaven's armies says The day of judgment is coming 00:15:38.474 --> 00:15:41.534 burning like a furnace on that day. 00:15:41.534 --> 00:15:45.044 The arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. 00:15:45.674 --> 00:15:49.874 They will be consumed, roots, branches, and all. 00:15:51.089 --> 00:15:57.359 But for you who fear my name, the son of righteousness will rise with healing in 00:15:57.359 --> 00:16:03.899 his wings and you will go free leaping with joy like calves led out to pasture. 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:11.249 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your 00:16:11.249 --> 00:16:14.219 feet says the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:16:15.119 --> 00:16:18.899 Remember to obey the law of Moses, my servant. 00:16:19.499 --> 00:16:25.709 All the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel. 00:16:26.459 --> 00:16:31.019 Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:33.299 dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:38.129 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the 00:16:38.129 --> 00:16:40.079 hearts of children to their fathers. 00:16:40.769 --> 00:16:45.659 Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse. 00:16:50.354 --> 00:16:53.204 This concludes today's Immerse Reading experience. 00:16:53.324 --> 00:16:54.554 Thank you for joining us.