<\/p>\n
Malachi 2:10-4:6; Joel 1:1-3:21<\/strong><\/span> Today we finish the book of the prophet Malachi!\u00a0 The first half of Malachi chapter 3 verse 1 is prophesying 400 years in advance of the coming of John the Baptist, who will prepare people\u2019s hearts for Jesus by preaching repentance of sins: \u201c\u201cLook! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.\u201d <\/em>This is a great thing to reflect on as we close out one year and begin anew.\u00a0 Do we need a messenger from God to encourage us to repent from our sins?\u00a0 Will we listen to that messenger and make way for the coming of Jesus into our hearts and lives?\u00a0 The second half of verse 1 then prophesies that Jesus is indeed coming to usher in the new covenant, or the new testament: \u201cThe messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,\u201d says the LORD Almighty.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 The Good News for us today is that Jesus has come already for the forgiveness of sins and Jesus is coming again in glory!<\/span><\/p>\n Revelation Illustrated<\/span><\/p>\n \u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 2 tells us this about Jesus: \u201cFor he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or like a strong soap that whitens clothes.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Will you allow Jesus to refine you through his holy fire?\u00a0 And make you pure through his holy soap?\u00a0 (Okay, I realize this is a bit cheesy wording here \u2013 has anyone ever called Jesus holy soap before?? \ud83d\ude42 Actually, would you believe it \u2013 I found an image of \u201cJesus soap\u201d online, as you\u2019ll see below! How this all ties into our Malachi readings today I\u2019ve lost track of\u2026 I apologize for my end-of-year giddiness\u2026 \ud83d\ude42 <\/span><\/p>\n Verses 6 & 7 are so powerful for us to reflect upon: \u201c\u201dI am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already completely destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my laws and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,\u201d says the LORD Almighty.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 As I reflect back upon our One Year Bible readings this year, it is so true that God does not change.\u00a0 He has shown so much compassion over and over again to the Israelites in the Old Testament.\u00a0 And he continues to show so much compassion to us today over and over again.\u00a0 In light of God\u2019s holy and unchanging love and compassion for us, will we return to Him?\u00a0 As you look back on our Bible readings this year, do you agree with God\u2019s statement here that He does not change?<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 10 is one of my favorites and one of the most challenging in the Bible: \u201cBring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,\u201d says the LORD Almighty, \u201cI will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won\u2019t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0This verse has and will continue to be interpreted so many ways.\u00a0 Check out the NIV translation of Malachi 3:10 (slightly different than the NLT version above) \u2013 \u201cBring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this<\/span>,\u201d says the LORD Almighty, \u201cand see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0It is very rare in the Bible that God says \u201ctest me\u201d and follows it up with an incredible promise of a blessing.\u00a0 This year, will you test God with a tithe?\u00a0 This year, will you trust God with your tithe?<\/span><\/p>\n Chapter 4 verse 2 makes me smile with the metaphor of us being compared to a calf frolicking in a field: \u201cBut for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you want to be set free?\u00a0 Truly free from your burdens and doing things that you do not want to do?\u00a0 Will you entrust your life to the Sun (Son?) of Righteousness, Jesus?\u00a0 \u00a0And then \u2013 are you looking forward to leaping with joy like a calf let out to pasture??\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 \u00a0I love this metaphor\u2026\u00a0 it will stick with me. <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Malachi titled \u201cGod\u2019s Justice and Faithfulness\u201d <\/strong>is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and \u201cPreparing for the Day of the Lord\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Today we start and finish the book of Joel!\u00a0 The book is basically about locusts.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 Well, okay, more than that.\u00a0 This book was written by pretty much an unknown author.\u00a0 There are 12 other Joel\u2019s mentioned in the Old Testament, and none are thought to be this book\u2019s author.\u00a0 Joel\u2019s name means \u201cThe Lord is God\u201d or \u201cYahweh is God.\u201d\u00a0 Not a bad name eh!\u00a0 This name is actually the reverse of Elijah \u2013 \u201cGod is Lord\/Yahweh\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0Different commentators estimate that this book was probably written between the 8th and 5th centuries B.C.\u00a0 And, yes, since you know I like images on this blog, will you please indulge me in one locust swarm picture? \ud83d\ude42<\/span> ~ Joel ~<\/strong> Joel chapter 2 verse 13 stood out to me in today\u2019s readings: \u201cDon\u2019t tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you.\u201d<\/em> I like that \u2013 tear your hearts.\u00a0 One of my favorite musicians, David Wilcox, often talks and sings about hearts not working right \u2013 until they are broken.\u00a0 I think he\u2019s actually preaching the Gospel message with this thinking.\u00a0 \u00a0When we finally get to the point of surrendering our lives to Jesus, we come with broken-open hearts.\u00a0 Hearts that have been torn.\u00a0 We\u2019ve given up our pride.\u00a0 We\u2019re reading for God to fill our hearts instead.\u00a0 And as this verse tells us \u2013 God is gracious and merciful.\u00a0 Has your heart been torn for God?<\/span> Joel chapter 2 verses 28-32 are amazing!\u00a0 \u201c\u201dThen after I have poured out my rains again, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. In those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on servants, men and women alike. I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth\u2013blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn bloodred before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives. And anyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. There will be people on Mount Zion in Jerusalem who escape, just as the LORD has said. These will be among the survivors whom the LORD has called.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I didn\u2019t realize until recently that these verses were quoted by Peter on the day of Pentecost \u2013 seven weeks after Jesus\u2019 resurrection \u2013 in the book of Acts.\u00a0 Check out the similarities at this link, <\/span>Acts Chapter 2 verses 16-21<\/span>.\u00a0 Back to Joel chapter 2 verse 29: \u201cIn those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on servants, men and women alike.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 We are in those days\u2026\u00a0 Has God\u2019s Spirit been poured out upon you?\u00a0 Into your heart?<\/span> Worship Video: <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Josh Wilson\u2019s song, \u201cCarry Me:\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
Author<\/span>: Joel
Date<\/span>: Ninth century B.C.
Content<\/span>: This beautifully written book uses a plague of locusts to describe symbolically God\u2019s coming judgment on Jerusalem. Just as locusts devour the land, so will the enemy armies devour Jerusalem unless the nation repents of its sins. If the people do respond, there will be a time of prosperity and a return of God\u2019s favor. God\u2019s favor is seen as going beyond the immediate future to a time when God would pour out his Holy Spirit upon all flesh. The New Testament sees this as being fulfilled at Pentecost.
Theme<\/span>: Joel\u2019s message is one of coming judgment if Jerusalem does not repent. Just as surely as the locusts strip the trees bar, so will God strip bare the land. Joel also speaks of coming prosperity, and final blessing, if the people respond in faith. (Above commentary is from \u201cThe One Year Bible Companion\u201d pp. 15-16)<\/em>\u00a0 A wonderful commentary on the book of Joel by Hampton Keathley IV is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Below is an image of Joel prophesying when Israel had just been struck by two plagues \u2013 locusts and drought \u2013 from a 14th century illuminated Bible:<\/span>