Part 9: All Sacrifices Are Special
Saith The Lord: Chapter 1
In
the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.
God noted that sacrifices are a part of the
Covenant to God and the Law. Thus the people of Israel should honor and respect
the offerings and sacrifices to the Lord.
Malachi 1:11:
"For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my
name shall be great among the Gentiles: and in every place incense shall be
offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the
heathen, saith the Lord of hosts”.
God had intended from
the start that the services of the law were to be temporary (see Galatians
3:19). Meanwhile God was displeased with the casual and insincere attitude of
the people regarding sacrifices. See Hebrews 10:5-9 as to the displeasure of
God with the animal sacrifices. In verse 9 we see that the canceling of the
first system in favor of a better one meant doing away with the system of
sacrifices contained in the ceremonial law. However, it did not eliminate God's
moral law. The ceremonial law prepared the people for Christ's coming. With
Christ's death and resurrection it was no longer needed.
As we return to
Malachi 1:11, we note the following: "Among the Gentiles" is a
prediction that another law and service will be offered to all people, not to
Jews only. We also see in this passage a theme that is noted throughout the Old
Testament---"my name shall be great among the Gentiles . . . My name shall
be great among the heathens”. God chose the Jews through whom he planned to
save and bless the entire world. However today God wants to bless and save the
world through all that believe in him, Jews and Gentiles. Christians are now
the chosen people.
Related scripture.
Isaiah 45:6. "That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the
west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else”.
That “they may
know" is an explanation of one of the reasons God had for using a man who
had not previously been his servant. Thus it would prove that Cyrus was not
acting or performing great deeds to win fame with God. Because it would be
revealed that he was acting and responding to an invisible power or influence
that was extended upon him.
Therefore the phrase
"there is none beside me" is in reference to the ultimate power of
God. "Rising of the sun is a reference to the East which is the opposite
of the West. Thus, people everywhere would learn of the great truths.
We also suggest a
reference to verse 1. "Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have holden.” This is the only place in the Bible when a
Gentile ruler is said to be anointed. God is the power over all powers and he
anoints whom he chooses for his special tasks.
Also, look at verse 7. "I for the light, and create darkness: I
make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things”.
Darkness is a
negative condition and is the absence of light. (See Genesis 1:2-3). Thus, God
has complete control over all nature. Evil is rendered by calamity, distress,
misery, grief and does not always mean something sinful. God takes no pleasure
in evil (Psalms 5:4). So the evil noted here is physical adversity and not
moral evil.
Also, see further
scripture at: Psalms 50:1, 141:2, Isaiah 60:6 and Jeremiah 10:6-7.
Malachi 1:13:
"Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! And ye have suffered at it,
saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn and the lame, and
the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? Saith
the Lord."
Many people think
that when you become saved and follow God life is free from any hardships.
These people look for a God of convenience. Meanwhile it is written that it
takes hard work, patience and undying faith to follow God. Thus, the life of
the believer may be faced with many hardships, pain and suffering. However the
believer must be convinced that God is more important than anything else. Thus
he or she is willing to sacrifice to obtain eternal life which is the reward
for the faithful.
Related Scriptures:
Leviticus 22:19-23.
Acceptable animals for sacrifice. When we give our best time, talent, and
treasure to God rather than what is tarnished or common, we show the true
meaning of worship and testify to God's supreme worth.
Isaiah 61:8.
"For the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will
direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them".
Here we see and hear
the word of the Lord saying that he hates injustice. However, we suffer for
various reasons. Often we suffer for reasons of our own and also for the
mistakes of others. But God will in his mercy reward those who have suffered because
of injustice.
We also see the
Prophet Isaiah as inspired by God rebuking the leaders of the Jews for their
ungodly and inconsistent behavior down through the years. They had consistently
placed critical financial obligations on the poor. Meanwhile after extracting
these unnecessary dues from the people, they would seek to make up for it by
pretended religious devotions. (Also see Isaiah 58:3 for more on the pretended
religious devotions). This is why God declared he hated burnt offerings when
the article to be used had been stolen.
It is also noted that
the captivity was to be a reformation for the people and God would bless them
much when they returned to their land. Thus the Prophet Isaiah reveals that the
nation of Israel would be honored by giving the world a spiritual religion
based on the everlasting covenant that is referred to in Hebrew 8:8-12.
Malachi 1:14:
"But cursed be the deceiver”. One who made a vow to the Lord was to keep
it. He was not to make an attempt to escape his sacrifice to the Lord. (See
Acts 5 the story of Ananias & Sapphira as a commentary on those who attempt
to deceive God regarding contributions). The handling of money is an important
matter for every Christian. Those that lie about the need for money in the name
of the Lord are in for a rude awakening. There is no commandment under the New
Covenant for a specific amount of money to be given to the church. The money
offerings to the church that have the Preacher as a priority is not pleasing to
God. These offerings are not used as God would have them used. The poor are a
great priority for all offerings given to the church. Stop building more
churches and paying Preachers enormous salaries and give the money to the
needy. Support the ministries etc. as God has instructed.
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net