today's meditation (Mal.4) Remembering the Ten Commandments

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Malachi 4:1-5) “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branches. 2 But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and frolic like calves from the stall. 3 And you will crush the wicked underfoot, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I am preparing,” says the Lord of armies.

4 “Remember the Law of Moses My servant, the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.

5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the land with complete destruction.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:.

Here is a reminder of the Mosaic covenant, that in order to have their covenants fulfilled, Israel as a nation must be obedient to God's word.  The only way to be perfectly obedient is to believe in and trust in the Lord.  This being the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) who would soon come in flesh.  But they failed to recognize their Messiah, and they rejected Him. Their covenants have yet to be fulfilled.  And they are still waiting for their Messiah.

Therefore, this chapter is also a reminder that for those who don't look to the Lord for their salvation, there will be destruction and judgment. One day, all unbelievers will go through the Tribulation.  Within those seven years, not only will the Israelites see the signs of Jesus' second coming, but the Lord will send messengers throughout the earth with the gospel message.  So, during that time, Israel as a nation will believe... realizing that Jesus was and is their Messiah.

When Jesus returns and has victory at the battle of Armageddon, He will do away with evil, and take with Him all those who became believers during the Tribulation.  He will then establish the Millennial kingdom and fulfill all of Israel's covenants.  During that time, He will also heal people, and establish peace and justice over the entire earth.

Meanwhile, to avoid going through the Tribulation, as well as eternal death, we must give our hearts to the Lord.  As a believer, remember God's words, which includes the ten commandments.  The first half is all about fearing, respecting and loving the Lord.  The second half is all about loving people.  To believe in the Lord includes embracing His word and His will.