Malachi Chapter 1: An Unintended Confession by the Editor of Malachi
Malachi Chapter 1: An Unintended Confession by the Editor of Malachi
5 You will see it with your own eyes and say, 'The Lord is exalted beyond the borders of Israel.'
11 "My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. 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.
14 "… For I am a great king," says the Lord Almighty. "And my name is to be feared among the nations."
There is no separatism or racism with God. God is the deity of both Israel and the nations beyond. Israel has drawn a line of separation between themselves and the Gentiles, using God as their support. Yet, God's name is exalted among the nations. The boundaries extend from where the sun rises to where it sets. The Gentiles offer pure sacrifices and incense to God. It is a scene where the boundary stones set by Israel are being uprooted. The nations fear God's name. Isn't the fear of God a uniqueness of Israel? Yet God has crossed the fences erected by Israel Himself. The editor of Malachi mobilized foreign nations to achieve the goal of proper faith, which is to offer pure sacrifices. Whether he intended to or not, he recognized Yahweh beyond the boundaries of Israel, acknowledging Him as the God of the Gentiles. The editor emphasized the correct form of sacrifice and, though highlighting separation in Yahweh's choice, placed Israel and the foreign nations on an equal footing. Chance and coincidence often play a larger role than intent and purpose.
5 You will see it with your own eyes and say, 'The Lord is exalted beyond the borders of Israel.'
11 "My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. 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.
14 "… For I am a great king," says the Lord Almighty. "And my name is to be feared among the nations."
There is no separatism or racism with God. God is the deity of both Israel and the nations beyond. Israel has drawn a line of separation between themselves and the Gentiles, using God as their support. Yet, God's name is exalted among the nations. The boundaries extend from where the sun rises to where it sets. The Gentiles offer pure sacrifices and incense to God. It is a scene where the boundary stones set by Israel are being uprooted. The nations fear God's name. Isn't the fear of God a uniqueness of Israel? Yet God has crossed the fences erected by Israel Himself. The editor of Malachi mobilized foreign nations to achieve the goal of proper faith, which is to offer pure sacrifices. Whether he intended to or not, he recognized Yahweh beyond the boundaries of Israel, acknowledging Him as the God of the Gentiles. The editor emphasized the correct form of sacrifice and, though highlighting separation in Yahweh's choice, placed Israel and the foreign nations on an equal footing. Chance and coincidence often play a larger role than intent and purpose.