Malachi

The word Malachi means my messenger. The Lord spoke clearly through him to show the spiritual condition of His people. Their worship through their offerings were not acceptable. He uses the example of Jacob and Esau. Jacob's offering was given in the right spirit and his offering was a reflection of His honor to God. They were giving the blemished, blind and crippled sheep. There was no sacrifice involved in that and it showed they loved themselves more than God.

In chapter 2 we see how seriously God takes the way we carry out His assignment. We are to lead others in the way of the Lord and not compromise His ways to please those around us. We will end up calling evil good and not understand the blessings of rightly dividing truth. We will end up with something short of genuine in our spiritual life and we and ultimately our church will not reflect God's image and we will end up worshiping a God that does not exist. Keeping the assignment pure will affect everything in our life.

In chapter 3 we see this is His way preparing God's people for the coming of the Lord. He will send one to prepare the way (John the Baptist). The Lord will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. They did not listen and could not accept Jesus' teaching because it was different than theirs. Here is what He says about the ones who listen:
Verse 17 "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

In chapter 4 we see the consequences of sin for the arrogant and evildoer. We also see the joy of those who revere His name. He promises to prepare them for that day by sending Elijah who was called John the Baptist in the New Testament. He says the day of the Lord will be great and dreadful - Dreadful to those walking in disobedience and great to those walking in His ways. Let's be among those who can rejoice in His presence.

Ezra 7-10

In Ezra chapter 7 we see Ezra taking on the assignment to lead the people in teaching the word of God and rebuilding the temple. We see God's hand on him because of his devotion to the scriptures. He was carrying the letter from king Artexerxes of Persia along with all the King had sent to assist Him in building the temple. God had opened the floodgates of blessing for His assignment. The King who ordered the work to stop was now their biggest supporter. The king understood the consequences of standing in the way of God's assignment.

In chapter 8 we see God working in their hearts to get them ready for what He was doing. They assembled, fasted and prayed for safety and assigned tasks for their mission.

In chapter 9 we see God convicting their hearts for intermarrying with those who worship other Gods, idols and practice paganism. That is why it is so important to be one spiritually when we marry so that we can keep God's ways clear and pure. He knows well the consequences of compromising spiritually.

In chapter 10 we see them being obedient in this. Ezra wanted them going into their assignment worshiping only the Lord God and no others. sometimes we have to do difficult things to keep our worship pure. God always honors our obedience in these things. The blessings will be worth the sacrifice.

Esther 6-10

The book of Esther shows how God protects His people and turns the table on those who would do them harm. In chapter 5 we saw Haman's Hate for the people of God because Mordecai would not bow to Him. He went home complaining about Mordecai to His family and friends. His wife advised him to build a Gallows to hang him on. This is why it is so important to lead our families in the way of the Lord and surround ourselves with Godly people. They have discernment and will advise us in the ways of God. He created us to have that passion. When used as He intends it is that passion that God uses to pursue a relationship with Lord and be concerned over injustice against the people of God (our family & neighbors).

God then turns things around on Haman. God disturbed King Xerxes' sleep and He discovers Mordecai is the one who uncovered the plot to kill him. He asks Haman what He should do to honor a man and He has to walk Mordecai through the streets singing his praises thinking the King was going to be honoring Him. Haman was shocked and appalled when the king named Mordecai. when Haman returned home grieving about these things to his wife and advisers, the King's men showed up to take him to the banquet that would uncover His plot and lead to his demise. He was hanged on the gallows intended for Mordecai.

We see many of these things taking place because of the passion Mordecai passion the Lord and His neighbors. Esther had a choice to preserve her life and not risk bothering the king, or take the risk and plea on behalf her people. God placed Her in that position for such a time as this. The people of God are rescued and Haman is hanged on the gallows He had built to hang Mordecai. God has placed us here for a time such as this. Ask and He will show what mighty things He can do.

Daniel 10-12

In Daniel chapter 10 we see Daniel receiving a vision from the Lord. Note the vision takes place after much prayer and fasting. Verse 12 Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them." We see the Lord fighting battles that we do not see. These are spiritual battles that change the outcome of events in the world and our lives. He knows the outcome and who will be the victor. If the future was carved in stone - there would be no need for God to intervene. This chapter throws that theology out the window, and establishes the foundation that God knew us before the foundation of the world, and He is intervening on our behalf to have the outcome He knows is best. He knows the future because He created it (and the past and the present - all things) and is fighting for the outcome He knows we need. When we truly seek Him he comes into our life to reveal truth and understanding.

In chapter 11 we see the details of how God will deliver His people. We see where those who respond wickedly to the covenant will be corrupted with flattery. Some leaders will stumble so they can be refined, and those who remain strong accomplish great things.

In chapter 12 we see prophecy about end times. We see Daniel asking because He did not fully understand. He was not answered and was told He would be blessed and the wise would eventually understand. That makes me feel better. He was then told to get some rest and wait on the Lord. I encourage you to seek God and His plan and see what He reveals to you.

Daniel 7-9

In chapter 7 we see Daniel writing down what God is showing Him. We all need to do more of that. He shares His vision for things that have happened are happening and things to come. We see the lion with clipped wings and the heart of a man. This is a Babylonian winged lion and clipping it's wings is a sign of being taken from it's place of power. The human heart represents King Nebuchadnezzar's human condition. Next God shows the future to Daniel. The bear is the Medo-Persian Empire who succeeded the Babylonians. They did much damage during their conquests (devoured much flesh). The leopard represents the Greek empire (Alexander the Great. After His death the Empire was divided into four parts (four heads). The fourth beast is the Roman Empire which would eventually be the strongest of them all. Ten horns represents to them the strength of the Empire. All of these things meant something to those raised in that time - Like an eagle means something to us today. God made it detailed enough for them to understand: like the small horn would remove others and represent a dominant, intelligent (eyes showed them knowledge)they could recognize by his language. More later.

God then reveals Himself as all powerful and majestic with fire (the ability to judge). The wheels could be the the endless activity of God. We the saints ministering to Him and those waiting for His judgment. We see God allowing kingdoms and rulers to raise up for a while and how they would not last. Then we see Jesus coming in the clouds and establishing His Kingdom, one that will never pass away or be destroyed. More later.

Ezekiel 44-45

In chapter 44 we see the Lord talking about keeping His temple holy and sacred. We see how the Lord says we should not have an uncircumcised heart in His presence (temple). We see Ezekiel bowing down when He sees the presence of the Lord in His temple. The foreigners had desecrated His temple because they were not in awe of of and had brought idols and unclean hearts in God's presence. Only God can cleanse and change our hearts. We are not capable of it. As we deal with God's truth and follow His ways His presence (Jesus through the person of the Holy Spirit) now fills our lives (God's temple), and where we are standing becomes holy ground because of His presence in you. I encourage you to keep God's temple holy through the washing of the word and walk in His truths and where wherever you are standing will be holy ground.

Ezekiel 40-41

In Ezekiel 40 & 41 we get a glimpse of how Christ establishes His church. God is continuing the process of bringing His people back to Him. They are in the 25th year of exile when we see the vision the Lord gave for His temple. We see Him giving the specific details to the one He wants to build it. He gave information on the inner courts and the priests that were to serve there, and measurements of the different courts, rooms' right down to the door hinges. This didn't have as much to do with Ezekiel as it did god using Him as His vessel to build His temple.

Christ establishes each church as He sees fit. He takes a time to prepare His people for what He is doing, then He gives them specific tasks. Let's draw near the Lord during this time in order to see clearly what He is doing, then be willing to join Him in what He is establishing. Jesus said "On this rock (the understanding that He is Christ, the son of the living God) I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it."

Ezekiel 38-39

In Ezekiel 38 & 39 we God giving His people a clear sign of the time they will be delivered from captivity. He gives information on invading countries and the leader of the countries. It appears that the attack is horrible, but instead we see God delivering their enemies into their hands. He will then send an earthquake as a sign to them. These signs will be key to His people to see when God will deliver them from captivity. They will then celebrate the victory over their captors. Can we interpret the times in which we live? Will we be ready to see Him responding to His people and bringing healing to them and their families? I would encourage you to study His word to be able to see Him as He works among your family and friends. He must bring them to the point that they can recognize that He is God and respond on His terms. Sometimes that is a long painful process depending on what it takes to penetrate each heart. As we stay in God's word and prayer we will be able to interpret the signs of Him reaching the ones you have been praying for. Be patient, keep praying and as watch the answers.

Ezekiel 32-34

In chapter 32 we see The Lord speaking through Ezekiel about God's judgment on Egypt. They are so rebellious that they had to be struck down to acknowledge God's power and authority in their lives. Fifteen days later the Lord reveals the same fate for their allies.

In chapter 33 the Lord tells them to appoint a watchman to warn of the impending battle the Lord will bring They will be warned by Him blowing a trumpet. Then He tells Ezekiel He has been appointed to be the watchmen over His people. Tell them that their sin is God's people are trusting in the wrong thing. They are trusting in their righteousness. What does the The Lord say our righteousness? Compared to the Lord's righteousness, our acts of righteousness are as filthy rags. He says unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, we will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. We are to put our trust in Him, not our good acts of righteousness.

In chapter 34 we see the responsibility God requires of His under shepherds. He wants us to care for the injured, weak and brokenhearted. We are to take good care of those whom God has entrusted us with. There will be a time of reward and accountability for these assignments. Then He tells us He will bring justice to His people and make a covenant of peace with them. He promises blessing, peace, provision and protection. What more could we ask for?

Ezekiel 28-30

In chapter 28 we see the King of Tyre setting himself up in the place of God. He had them worship him. His success in trade had gone to his head. He had become too smart for His own good. God created him and established Him, yet He did not acknowledge that. God will bring him to his knees and humble him. God promises to deliver Israel after He has brought down all of her enemies.

Then in chapter 29 God tells how He will bring judgment on Egypt. One thing He mentioned is how they took credit for creating the Nile. That is a good way to say we know more than God. Taking credit for something He has done will always create a problem between us and the Lord. He will use King Nebuchadnezzar to bring about their fall. He gave Him Egypt as a reward of all his army did for the Lord.

Then in chapter 30 the Lord describes how He will bring His judgment on Egypt. He uses whom He knows will be obedient to Him for His assignments. This assignment could still be avoided if the people of Egypt would turn to the Lord. He will demonstrate His power and show us who is God if we remain stubborn and obstinate to His word and His ways.

Ezekiel 24-27

In chapter 24 Ezekiel is instructed to use a parable to illustrate how the people of God have sinned. Sometimes we have to see what we are doing from a different perspective to understand how others may view it. He says He tried to cleanse them of lewdness, but they would not be cleansed. Then we see how the Lord told Ezekiel that He was going to take his wife (the delight of your eyes). He wanted him not to mourn openly but to show his strength was by trusting in God. Many times we will not understand what the Lord is doing. That's where trust in Him is so important. He does have a plan, even when we don't see it.

In chapters 25 & 26 we see how God feels about other nations that delight in seeing the people of God turn from Him. These are nations that are instrumental in leading them to wander from God. He is very specific in handling them in order that they may understand God's power and in and through His action His people will realize the error of their ways and return to Him.

In chapter 27 we see a lament for Tyre. Being a prophet is not a job that won them many friends. A lament is a chant usually for mourning at funerals. Since the prophecy has not happened yet it is likely to upset them, like having a funeral before the death of a powerful, healthy person. Tyre was the largest seaport for trade in the region. They had joined a coalition of states to throw of Babylonian siege and rule. God had ordered King Nebuchadnezzar's steps at this time. Their throwing off the Babylonian yoke was against God's plan. With great power comes great responsibility. We should keep ourselves in a position to seek God's kingdom first and everything else will fall in order. It will help us interpret the times in which we live. That will keep us from getting into trouble with the Lord.

Ezekiel 22-23

In Ezekiel 22 we read how the sins of Jerusalem hurt the spirit of the Lord. Leaders abused power and families treated their parents with contempt. There was all kinds of injustice, immorality and idolatry. The Lord then foretold His judgment on these things. We see those same things happening around us today. Some feel if God doesn't do something He will owe an apology to Sodom and Gomorrah. We sometimes forget God is the same God we are reading about today. His mercy gives us a little more time due those standing in the gap (intercessors) praying for His children. Please keep standing in the gap for those you feel led to pray for.

Chapter 23 tells a parable about Samaria and Jerusalem. They both sought after Idolatry and practiced things that were not of the Lord. In God's eyes, seeking other Gods is being unfaithful to Him. He knows what will happen to us if He does not intervene. The consequences will be spiritual death. That is far worse than anything else that could happen to us.