
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xml:lang="en">
	<id>http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?action=history&amp;feed=atom&amp;title=Template%3ADOD_protected%2FOctober_1</id>
	<title>Template:DOD protected/October 1 - Revision history</title>
	<link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?action=history&amp;feed=atom&amp;title=Template%3ADOD_protected%2FOctober_1"/>
	<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Template:DOD_protected/October_1&amp;action=history"/>
	<updated>2026-04-27T11:25:41Z</updated>
	<subtitle>Revision history for this page on the wiki</subtitle>
	<generator>MediaWiki 1.32.1</generator>
	<entry>
		<id>http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Template:DOD_protected/October_1&amp;diff=1112573&amp;oldid=prev</id>
		<title>Prab at 02:46, 16 September 2015</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Template:DOD_protected/October_1&amp;diff=1112573&amp;oldid=prev"/>
		<updated>2015-09-16T02:46:11Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table class=&quot;diff diff-contentalign-left&quot; data-mw=&quot;interface&quot;&gt;
				&lt;col class=&quot;diff-marker&quot; /&gt;
				&lt;col class=&quot;diff-content&quot; /&gt;
				&lt;col class=&quot;diff-marker&quot; /&gt;
				&lt;col class=&quot;diff-content&quot; /&gt;
				&lt;tr class=&quot;diff-title&quot; lang=&quot;en&quot;&gt;
				&lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;background-color: #fff; color: #222; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;← Older revision&lt;/td&gt;
				&lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;background-color: #fff; color: #222; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;Revision as of 02:46, 16 September 2015&lt;/td&gt;
				&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; class=&quot;diff-lineno&quot; id=&quot;mw-diff-left-l1&quot; &gt;Line 1:&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; class=&quot;diff-lineno&quot;&gt;Line 1:&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;−&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;del style=&quot;font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;&quot;&gt;Malachi means &amp;quot;my messenger.&amp;quot; The prophecy of Malachi emphasizes the Day of the Lord, with its judgment of the wicked and the deliverance of a righteous remnant from the sinful mass of people. His immediate message deals with the sins of the priests and the people of his day. These sins form the background for his prophecies of judgment, certain to fall in the future.&lt;/del&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;−&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;In chapter 1 he points out contempt for the Temple sacrifices; in chapter 2 the unholy marriages with heathen nations. The priests were to blame for this situation, for they had allowed the people to enter into these unholy unions and had performed the marriages for them. It was no small thing to be a priest, for this was a gracious gift of God.&lt;/del&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;+&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;{{dod-october}}&lt;/ins&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;−&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Verses 5-7 &lt;/del&gt;of &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;chapter 2 describe the ideal priest. He fears &lt;/del&gt;the &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Lord &lt;/del&gt;and &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;obeys Him; he receives His Word and teaches it; he lives what he teaches; and he seeks to refrain from sin. But the priests &lt;/del&gt;of &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Malachi 's day actually led the people astray and defiled &lt;/del&gt;the &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;holy covenant&lt;/del&gt;. &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;What did God say concerning their sin? &amp;quot;I will curse your blessings&lt;/del&gt;.&lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;&amp;quot; This ties in with Malachi 3:9 and &lt;/del&gt;the &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;lack of giving tithes &lt;/del&gt;and &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;offerings. Because of &lt;/del&gt;the &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;people failing to give, and because &lt;/del&gt;of the &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;priests' sinful ways, God cursed their crops. The people were poor and did not bring their offerings to the priests; therefore, &lt;/del&gt;the &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;priests went hungry&lt;/del&gt;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;+&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;[[Matthew]] is the first [[Gospel]] &lt;/ins&gt;of the &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;four Gospels &lt;/ins&gt;and &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;first book &lt;/ins&gt;of the &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;New Testament (New Covenant)&lt;/ins&gt;. &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Gospel means 'good news'&lt;/ins&gt;. &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Matthew was writing to &lt;/ins&gt;the &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;[[Jews]] &lt;/ins&gt;and &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;connected &lt;/ins&gt;the &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;life &lt;/ins&gt;of &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;[[Jesus]] with &lt;/ins&gt;the &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;predictions throughout &lt;/ins&gt;the &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;[[Old Testament]]&lt;/ins&gt;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;−&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;God's people never gain by doing wrong&lt;/del&gt;. God &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;has a perfect plan for our lives, if we will only submit ourselves &lt;/del&gt;to &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Him&lt;/del&gt;. &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Too many Christians today are guilty of taking things into their own hands. They are not willing to wait patiently upon the Lord&lt;/del&gt;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;+&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;[[Abraham]] was the father of [[faith]] and the father of the [[Israelites]]&lt;/ins&gt;. &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;He was the man with whom [[&lt;/ins&gt;God&lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;]] covenanted &lt;/ins&gt;to &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;bless the earth through his seed&lt;/ins&gt;. &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;[[David]] also entered a covenant with God that promised his seed would reign forever&lt;/ins&gt;.  &lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;−&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;In chapter 3 &lt;/del&gt;God &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;gives instructions concerning tithes and offerings&lt;/del&gt;. The &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;people had disobeyed &lt;/del&gt;God in this &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;matter and when they were not faithful in their giving they not only robbed God&lt;/del&gt;, but &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;they also robbed themselves. Why? Because &lt;/del&gt;God &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;punished them by withholding rain for their crops&lt;/del&gt;. &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Of course, tithing is &lt;/del&gt;not &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;making &lt;/del&gt;a &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;bargain with God&lt;/del&gt;, &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;because the first 10% already belongs &lt;/del&gt;to &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Him. But it is robbery when we do not give Him &lt;/del&gt;the &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;first 10%&lt;/del&gt;, and &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;we will be punished for it&lt;/del&gt;. &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Tithing is a blessed privilege&lt;/del&gt;, and &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;God has promised to bless and take care of those who are faithful &lt;/del&gt;in &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;their stewardship &lt;/del&gt;to &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Him&lt;/del&gt;. &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Certainly God is not bankrupt. He wants our tithes and offerings as expressions &lt;/del&gt;of &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;our faith and love to Him&lt;/del&gt;. &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;When &lt;/del&gt;a &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;believer&lt;/del&gt;'&lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;s love for Jesus Christ grows, &lt;/del&gt;it &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;always shows forth in his stewardship. Malachi closes his message with some wonderful promises &lt;/del&gt;to &lt;del class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;the faithful (chapters 3:16--4:6).&lt;/del&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;+&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;42 generations passed before the promise to both men came to pass. That is six sets of seven. Six is the number of man, and seven is the number of &lt;/ins&gt;God. The &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;fulfillment of the promises was going to be the &lt;/ins&gt;God &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;man, [[Jesus Christ| Christ Jesus]]. The blood of a child is inherited from the father. The life of the flesh is &lt;/ins&gt;in &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;the blood. Mary was every bit &lt;/ins&gt;this &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;child's mother&lt;/ins&gt;, but &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;the Father of this child was &lt;/ins&gt;God. &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Jesus was &lt;/ins&gt;not &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;born with &lt;/ins&gt;a &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;sin nature, but other than that&lt;/ins&gt;, &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;his physical being was just like yours and mine.&lt;/ins&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;+&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;+&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Joseph thought that [[Mary]] had been unfaithful &lt;/ins&gt;to &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;him during &lt;/ins&gt;the &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;engagement&lt;/ins&gt;, and &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;considered a divorce. A dream reassured him that the child was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit&lt;/ins&gt;. &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;The custom of the time was that father had the responsibility of naming the child&lt;/ins&gt;, and in &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;this case He did. He told Joseph the babe's name was &lt;/ins&gt;to &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;be Jesus&lt;/ins&gt;. &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Jesus means the salvation &lt;/ins&gt;of &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Jehovah&lt;/ins&gt;. &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Christ is &lt;/ins&gt;a &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;title meaning 'anointed one' or [[Messiah|'Messiah&lt;/ins&gt;'&lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;]].&lt;/ins&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;+&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; &lt;/td&gt;&lt;td class='diff-marker'&gt;+&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td style=&quot;color: #222; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;&quot;&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;Consider: What does &lt;/ins&gt;it &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;mean &lt;/ins&gt;to &lt;ins class=&quot;diffchange diffchange-inline&quot;&gt;us that He was every bit man?&lt;/ins&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Prab</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Template:DOD_protected/October_1&amp;diff=1112519&amp;oldid=prev</id>
		<title>Prab: Created page with &quot;Malachi means &quot;my messenger.&quot; The prophecy of Malachi emphasizes the Day of the Lord, with its judgment of the wicked and the deliverance of a righteous remnant from the sinfu...&quot;</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Template:DOD_protected/October_1&amp;diff=1112519&amp;oldid=prev"/>
		<updated>2015-09-15T02:24:30Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Created page with &amp;quot;Malachi means &amp;quot;my messenger.&amp;quot; The prophecy of Malachi emphasizes the Day of the Lord, with its judgment of the wicked and the deliverance of a righteous remnant from the sinfu...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New page&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;Malachi means &amp;quot;my messenger.&amp;quot; The prophecy of Malachi emphasizes the Day of the Lord, with its judgment of the wicked and the deliverance of a righteous remnant from the sinful mass of people. His immediate message deals with the sins of the priests and the people of his day. These sins form the background for his prophecies of judgment, certain to fall in the future.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In chapter 1 he points out contempt for the Temple sacrifices; in chapter 2 the unholy marriages with heathen nations. The priests were to blame for this situation, for they had allowed the people to enter into these unholy unions and had performed the marriages for them. It was no small thing to be a priest, for this was a gracious gift of God.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Verses 5-7 of chapter 2 describe the ideal priest. He fears the Lord and obeys Him; he receives His Word and teaches it; he lives what he teaches; and he seeks to refrain from sin. But the priests of Malachi 's day actually led the people astray and defiled the holy covenant. What did God say concerning their sin? &amp;quot;I will curse your blessings.&amp;quot; This ties in with Malachi 3:9 and the lack of giving tithes and offerings. Because of the people failing to give, and because of the priests' sinful ways, God cursed their crops. The people were poor and did not bring their offerings to the priests; therefore, the priests went hungry.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
God's people never gain by doing wrong. God has a perfect plan for our lives, if we will only submit ourselves to Him. Too many Christians today are guilty of taking things into their own hands. They are not willing to wait patiently upon the Lord.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In chapter 3 God gives instructions concerning tithes and offerings. The people had disobeyed God in this matter and when they were not faithful in their giving they not only robbed God, but they also robbed themselves. Why? Because God punished them by withholding rain for their crops. Of course, tithing is not making a bargain with God, because the first 10% already belongs to Him. But it is robbery when we do not give Him the first 10%, and we will be punished for it. Tithing is a blessed privilege, and God has promised to bless and take care of those who are faithful in their stewardship to Him. Certainly God is not bankrupt. He wants our tithes and offerings as expressions of our faith and love to Him. When a believer's love for Jesus Christ grows, it always shows forth in his stewardship. Malachi closes his message with some wonderful promises to the faithful (chapters 3:16--4:6).&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Prab</name></author>
		
	</entry>
</feed>