Before Reading.
- Centering prayer— Pray for illumination, “Lord, open my heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit,” and remain in silence.
Reading.
- Read slowly, keeping any words or phrase that come to your mind, and mark on them.
- Close eyes and meditate on what you read.
- Take a note if you have question, inspiration.
Read Malachi 3
Overview
The day of Judgement, calling for repentance.
Prophet Malachi prophecies the day of God’s judgement. To the question of God’s justice, God announces the sending of a messenger who will appear in the Temple a purify the priests.
“the messenger,” (v.1) will prepare for the day of God’s coming, first by purifying the priesthood. Purification is compared to the process of refining metal, removing the dross and leaving the pure metal.
And God himself will appear for judgment against the wicked and godless. But if the people will return to God with full measure of devotion, God will bless them. The full measure of devotion is not robbing God, which is giving full tithe to God. Apparently, in a time of scarcity due to locusts, people are withholding the tithe. God challenges them to test divine generosity. While the people hoard their goods due to their fear of scarcity, God promises abundance, providence and protection. “Test me in this,” (v.10) is God’s challenging the people
In response to “what have we said against you? What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?” Malachi expresses that the righteous heeded God’s words and were rewarded as God’s special possession. With parental imagery, God promises that the wicked and the righteous will, indeed, be distinguished.
1. What does this passage tell you about God?
2. What does this passage tell you about people.?
3. What does this passage tell you about yourself and God’s will for you?
