O. T. #2355 "Fetch Home Again"
Jan. 9, 2023
Malachi 3-Part 5
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of Hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? (verse 7)
LET IT GLOW
When our son was young, he had a friend that lived down the street about his age. They would play in the neighborhood streem and wooded area. When it started getting dark, I would call him in for supper. I wanted him to return home again. So it was with Israel, for they had wandered away from God's ordinances, and He was calling them to return home, fetch home again.
What is the problem that God has with His people? Even from the days of their ancestors, Israel had scorned God's decrees and failed to obey them. They had disobeyed for so long that the Jews did not even realize their true condition.
What smart alecks they were! They did not know that they had gone away from Him. They had been going to the Temple for all the services; they tithed to certain extents. They did this, that, and the other, so how could they return when they had not even left God, so they thought.
Today ritualism has been substituted for relationship; pageantry for power; feeling for the Holy Spirit. They may know the right vocabulary, but not the power of God or salvation. They Jews should have known the ordinances of God, since He gave it to them so long ago, but they had not followed them.
Return means turn back; fetch home again.
Repentance is walking in one direction, realize you're going the wrong way, then turn right around and go the opposite way. They agreed with God against themselves. When we repent of our sins, we ask God to forgive us and we change our ways. The lost believe in Jesus as Savior, then turn away from those sinful ways.
Like the prodigal son who went into a far country, God says to repent and come home. Fetch home again, Christian. God loves us and wants us to live for Him so He can bless us. Return to God and He will return to you. Do you know folks needing to do this?
LET IT GROW
When we were in college, preparing for the ministry, we had 2 small children. A lady from our home church would send $25 monthly to us, anonymously, which helped buy milk for our children so many times. We gave back to the Lord in our tithes. He always took care of us. (Although the kids and I wore hand-me-downs, we were grateful.) How great is Jehovah Jire! I try to give to those struggling in college financially, to spread that love.
How can we return to God when we have never gone away? That is what the people were asking Him. And God told them right up how in verse 8:
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.
They had cheated God of what was due Him, with tithes and offerings. Those outside the church don't tithe. Tell them to repent of their sins. Yet, judgment begins at the house of God. The Israelites robbed God by:
- not giving God a tenth of one's grain, fruit, animals, or money, thus robbing God; (Lev. 27:30-34)
- robbing themselves; not fulfilling the covenant they made with God, so He couldn't fulfill His promise of bless them; (Neh. 10 and 13)
- robbing others; meeting the needs of the poor and those in need.
LET IT GO
Help us give out of a loving heart, Lord, not out of a routine.
Remind us that You have given us all that we have, that You own it all and are lending it to us.
Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
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