The name Malachi means "my messenger" or " the messenger of the Lord". He was a person of strict integrity and intense devotion to God. His staunch convictions included faithfulness to God's covenant. He consistently spoke against hypocritical and perfunctory worship, idolatry, divorce, and the robbing of God through tithes and offerings.
Malachi addressed the spiritual climate and neglect that was taking place during his lifetime. People had become horribly cynical and had begun to doubt God's love and promises. They had come to the dangerous position of believing that there wasn't any additional profit or gain to be achieved by continuing to obey God's commands. Faith in God was at an all time low and Temple worship had become mechanical and insensitive.
Malachi proceeds to confront the priests and people for their apathy and sins. He calls upon them to return to their previous enthusiasm and sincerity in obedience to God's ways and in genuine worship.
So much of what he dealt with we see still being replicated in our lifetime as well.
Join me tonight at 7:00 PM for another insightful and life re-calibrating message!
