July 28, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Malachi Chapter 2
1 And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.
2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.
3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.
4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.
5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.
6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
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.
8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.
9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.
10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
11 Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the Lord which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.
12 The Lord will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the Lord of hosts.
13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.
14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
17 Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Rebuke Against the Priests (Verses 1-9)
In this section, the Lord, through the prophet Malachi, directly addresses the priests, who bear a special responsibility as the spiritual leaders of the people. The priests have failed to give due honor to God’s name, leading the people astray. They are admonished to heed and embrace God’s command, or else the Lord will turn their blessing into a curse.
Verse 3 is particularly vivid and striking: the Lord threatens to smear the dung of their festival sacrifices on their faces. This emphasizes the abhorrence of their failure and the necessity for purification and sanctification. The covenant with Levi (verse 4) is described as a covenant of life and peace, based on fear and reverence for God. The priests are supposed to be teachers of the truth, but they have strayed from the path and led many into sin.
Against Marriages with Pagan Women and Divorce (Verses 10-16)
Verses 10-16 address the social and moral transgressions of the Israelites, particularly regarding marriages with pagan women and the practice of divorce. The prophet reminds them that all people have the same Creator and that despising and desecrating the covenant is a grave sin. Judah is accused of unfaithfulness, as they defile holy things and engage with the daughters of foreign gods.
The Lord points out that such actions lead to his abhorrence and that those who commit these deeds will be excluded from the community. The altar of the Lord is covered with tears (verse 13), highlighting the emotional and spiritual distress of the people affected by their sins and their consequences. Divorce is described as an act of violence and betrayal, and God calls for men not to despise or abandon the wives with whom they have made the marriage covenant.
God’s Judgment is Coming Soon (Verse 17)
In the final verse of this chapter, the impatience and misunderstanding of the people towards God’s judgment are addressed. The people accuse God of promoting evil and ask where the God of justice is. These accusations anger the Lord, as they question His righteousness and holiness.
Summary
Malachi Chapter 2 is a strong admonition to the spiritual leaders and the people of Israel. It emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and reverence towards God and His commandments. The priests and the people are called out for their sins, and it is made clear that their failures have severe consequences. The call to repentance and the warning of impending judgment are meant to bring the people to their senses and lead them back to a life in accordance with God’s will.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 51: The Light of Life
This chapter is based on John 8:12-59; John 9.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction: Jesus as the Light of the World (John 8:12)
Jesus declares in the temple that He is the light of the world and promises that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. This statement is made during the Feast of Tabernacles, where large lamps in the temple courtyard illuminate Jerusalem and remind the people of the pillar of fire that guided Israel in the wilderness. Jesus uses this symbol to highlight His mission as a spiritual light meant to illuminate the darkness of the world.
The Significance of Light in the Bible
Light is a recurring symbol in the Bible for God’s presence and revelation. From the light of creation to the pillar of fire that guided Israel in the wilderness and the light that accompanied the dedication of Solomon’s temple, light stands for God’s guidance and proximity. Jesus, as the light of the world, embodies God’s essence and His relationship with humanity. He is the true light that enlightens every person (John 1:9).
Jesus and Abraham (John 8:56-58)
Jesus emphasizes His eternal existence and His relationship with Abraham, which the Pharisees perceive as presumptuous. He explains that Abraham rejoiced at the prospect of Jesus’ day. By saying, “Before Abraham was, I am,” Jesus claims divine existence and identity, which the Pharisees see as blasphemy and therefore want to stone Him.
The Healing of the Man Born Blind (John 9)
In John 9, Jesus heals a man who was born blind. This healing demonstrates that God’s works are revealed through Jesus. The disciples and the Pharisees inquire about the cause of the blindness, but Jesus shifts the focus to the outcome: the revelation of God’s power and grace. This healing occurs on the Sabbath, prompting the Pharisees to again condemn Jesus as a lawbreaker.
The Pharisees’ Reaction
The Pharisees attempt to deny the miracle and intimidate the healed man and his parents. However, the formerly blind man bravely defends Jesus and points to the obvious divine origin of his healing. This defense leads to his expulsion from the synagogue. Jesus seeks him out and fully reveals Himself to him, whereupon the man worships Jesus as the Son of Man.
Spiritual Blindness of the Pharisees
Jesus uses the healing of the man born blind to highlight the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. They claim to see, but they reject the true light that Jesus offers. Their self-righteousness and pride prevent them from recognizing the truth, thus their sin remains.
Summary
Chapter 51 underscores the profound significance of Jesus’ declaration, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus brings not only physical but also spiritual light into the world, revealing God’s truth and saving people from the darkness of sin. The healing of the man born blind serves as a practical example of Jesus’ mission and the necessity of accepting spiritual light. The Pharisees, however, remain trapped in their self-righteousness and reject the life-changing light that Jesus offers.
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