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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Malachi 1:11
“My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to My Name, because My Name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.
God of the Nations.
We have now arrived at the last book of the Old Testament – and what a book to finish with. I trust you have enjoyed the pilgrimage and that it has not only been interesting and exciting, but it has also awakened within you an even stronger desire to study the Old Testament in greater depth and return to it frequently.
As we have seen, it is far from a series of boring historical books that hold no value for us today. On the contrary, they seem able to bring insight and direction, which is truly amazing. This surely proves without doubt that they were inspired by the Spirit of the Living God who was alive then and still is today.
God also seems to be announcing the ‘Good News’, heralding a ‘New’ Testament. “You [Israel] will see with your own eyes and say, ‘Great is the Lord – even beyond the borders of Israel’” (v 5). (See also Acts 10:44-48.)
This is a promise not only for Israel but “even beyond the borders of Israel” – the rest of the world. All the blessings that Israel has enjoyed will one day be available for all. Just as we saw yesterday – other nations would come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. As we have seen, it is a ‘Ring of Truth’! God is an all-inclusive God.
It’s a bit like what Paul and Barnabas said, “We had to speak the Word of God to you [Jews] first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of Eternal Life, we now turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). God chose the Jews and blessed them but God is bigger than the Jews. He will never forsake them, but in His grace He will ‘choose’ others too and make a way for them to enjoy exactly the same privileged position (see Romans 11:11-24).
In Malachi’s day, the Jews had treated God worse than their Governors. They were offering the least and the worst for the Almighty God. “Stop ‘playing at Christianity’. You cannot fool Me. I know your hearts, I know your deeds. Don’t play games. Stop being hypocrites. Don’t say you love Me on Sunday and do just what you like the rest of the week. Your jargon, your songs and your acting don’t fool Me. Worship Me from pure hearts and start being obedient. Do what I say.”
Listen, “My Name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun (whether you are part of it or not). In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to My Name, because My Name will be great among the nations.” Says the Lord Almighty.
Jesus reiterated this to the woman of Samaria (see John 4:21-24).
And you? How do you worship God?
In Spirit and in truth?
That’s what God looks for.
Aren’t we blessed? Even though our nations are ‘miles away’ from Israel, we are also engulfed by God’s love and grace, and given the privilege of worshipping their Awesome God, too.
Let’s take time out now to thank the Lord that He has included us so that “[His] Name is great among [our] nation” and we can also become an intimate part of His Family.
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