Where is My Reverence? n God asks His people in the book of Malachi “Where is my reverence?” (Mal 1:6)

Where is My Reverence?Where is My Reverence?

God asks His people in the book of Malachi God asks His people in the book of Malachi “Where is my reverence?” “Where is my reverence?” (Mal 1:6)(Mal 1:6)


Malachi 1:6Malachi 1:6 6 " A son honors 6 " A son honors his his father, father, And a servant And a servant his his master. If then I am the master. If then I am the Father, Where Father, Where is is My honor? And if I My honor? And if I am am a a Master, Where Master, Where is is My reverence? Says the My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised Your name?‘we despised Your name?‘


Sadly, after Israel had returned to the land Sadly, after Israel had returned to the land “another generation” arose that did not “another generation” arose that did not know the Lord. This happens over and over know the Lord. This happens over and over in Israel’s history. in Israel’s history. (Judges 2:10)(Judges 2:10)


Judges 2:10Judges 2:10 10 When all that generation 10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.had done for Israel.


It does not take one to be an eyewitness or It does not take one to be an eyewitness or to have experienced previous actions to have experienced previous actions that God took to help His people build their that God took to help His people build their faith. faith. (Deut 30:11-14)(Deut 30:11-14)


Deuteronomy 30:11-14Deuteronomy 30:11-14 11 " For this 11 " For this commandment which I command you today commandment which I command you today is is not not too too mysterious for you, nor mysterious for you, nor is is it far it far off. 12 "It off. 12 "It is is not in heaven, that you should not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend into heaven for us say, 'Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' do it?'


13 "Nor 13 "Nor is is it beyond the sea, that you it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' 14 "But the word do it?' 14 "But the word is is very near you, in very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.do it.


In the post-exilic prophet Malachi we see In the post-exilic prophet Malachi we see the cumulative attitudes that comes with a the cumulative attitudes that comes with a lack of reverence for God. lack of reverence for God.


In the post-exilic prophet Malachi we see In the post-exilic prophet Malachi we see the cumulative attitudes that comes with a the cumulative attitudes that comes with a lack of reverence for God. lack of reverence for God.

Remember how the exile did produce a Remember how the exile did produce a humble remnant. humble remnant. (Zeph 3:11-13)(Zeph 3:11-13)


Zephaniah 3:11-13Zephaniah 3:11-13 11 In that day you 11 In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds shall not be shamed for any of your deeds In which you transgress against Me; For In which you transgress against Me; For then I will take away from your midst then I will take away from your midst Those who rejoice in your pride, And you Those who rejoice in your pride, And you shall no longer be haughty In My holy shall no longer be haughty In My holy mountain. mountain.


12 I will leave in your midst A meek and 12 I will leave in your midst A meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD. 13 The remnant of name of the LORD. 13 The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their their flocks and lie down, And no one shall flocks and lie down, And no one shall make make them them afraid.“afraid.“


How did these people lose a reverence for How did these people lose a reverence for God?God?


How did these people lose a reverence for How did these people lose a reverence for God?God?

These people had simply failed to know These people had simply failed to know who God is.who God is.


How did these people lose a reverence for God?How did these people lose a reverence for God? These people had simply failed to know who These people had simply failed to know who

God is.God is. Every avenue that God had provided to teach the Every avenue that God had provided to teach the

children of the next generation children of the next generation about God about God had failed. This involved the home, their had failed. This involved the home, their worship and their attitude worship and their attitude towards the word towards the word of God.of God.

What does it mean to have a reverence for What does it mean to have a reverence for God?God?

fear -- 1. fear -- 1. fearfear, , terrorterror. . 2. 2. reverencereverence. . 3. 3. object of reverenceobject of reverence, esp. God. , esp. God. 4. 4. awe-awe-inspiring spectacle inspiring spectacle or or deeddeed. – Whittaker’s . – Whittaker’s LexiconLexicon


fear -- 1. fear -- 1. fearfear, , terrorterror. . 2. 2. reverencereverence. . 3. 3. object of reverenceobject of reverence, esp. God. , esp. God. 4. 4. awe-awe-inspiring spectacle inspiring spectacle or or deeddeed. – Whittaker’s . – Whittaker’s LexiconLexicon

God showed His people exactly what God showed His people exactly what reverence means. reverence means. (Deut 5:23-27)(Deut 5:23-27)


Deuteronomy 5:23-27Deuteronomy 5:23-27 23 " So it was, when you 23 " So it was, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders. 24 "And you said: 'Surely the and your elders. 24 "And you said: 'Surely the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he speaks with man; yet he still still lives.lives.


25 'Now therefore, why should we die? For this 25 'Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the LORD our God anymore, then we shall of the LORD our God anymore, then we shall die. 26 'For who die. 26 'For who is there is there of all flesh who has of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we the midst of the fire, as we have, have, and lived? 27 and lived? 27 'You go near and hear all that the LORD our 'You go near and hear all that the LORD our God may say, and tell us all that the LORD our God may say, and tell us all that the LORD our God says to you, and we will hear and do God says to you, and we will hear and do it.‘it.‘


They witnessed the power of God and knew They witnessed the power of God and knew that they were utterly nothing.that they were utterly nothing.



They knew that the promises of God and They knew that the promises of God and the commands of God provided a way to the commands of God provided a way to have favor and security in God’s presence. have favor and security in God’s presence.



They knew that the promises of God and They knew that the promises of God and the commands of God provided a way to the commands of God provided a way to have favor and security in God’s presence. have favor and security in God’s presence.

God was very pleased with this attitude and God was very pleased with this attitude and wanted them to always have it. wanted them to always have it. (Deut 5:28-29)(Deut 5:28-29)


Deuteronomy 5:28-29Deuteronomy 5:28-29 28 "Then the LORD 28 "Then the LORD heard the voice of your words when you spoke to heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the LORD said to me: 'I have heard the me, and the LORD said to me: 'I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They are right spoken to you. They are right in in all that they have all that they have spoken. 29 'Oh, that they had such a heart in spoken. 29 'Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!them and with their children forever!


How does another generation keep this kind How does another generation keep this kind of respect?of respect?


How does another generation keep this kind How does another generation keep this kind of respect?of respect?

Each generation had to be taught to “know Each generation had to be taught to “know the Lord.” the Lord.” (Jer 31:34)(Jer 31:34)


Jeremiah 31:34Jeremiah 31:34 34 "No more shall every 34 "No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.“will remember no more.“


What did they need to know about the What did they need to know about the Lord? Lord? (Hosea 6:1-3)(Hosea 6:1-3)


Hosea 6:1-3 Hosea 6:1-3 Come, and let us return to the Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us; On the third After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. 3 Let us know, Let us pursue the His sight. 3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter like the rain, Like the latter and and former rainformer rain


When God is real to a person and the real When God is real to a person and the real character of God is taught, then one will character of God is taught, then one will reverence God. reverence God. (Psa 89:1-8)(Psa 89:1-8)


Psalm 89:1-8Psalm 89:1-8 I will sing of the mercies of I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, "Mercy shall generations. 2 For I have said, "Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens." 3 "I shall establish in the very heavens." 3 "I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: have sworn to My servant David:


4 'Your seed I will establish forever, And 4 'Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.' " build up your throne to all generations.' " Selah 5 And the heavens will praise Your Selah 5 And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints. 6 For who in in the assembly of the saints. 6 For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? the heavens can be compared to the LORD? Who Who among the sons of the mighty can be among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD? likened to the LORD?


7 God is greatly to be feared in the 7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all reverence by all those those around Him. 8 O around Him. 8 O LORD God of hosts, Who LORD God of hosts, Who is is mighty like mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.surrounds You.


This must involve substantial teaching at This must involve substantial teaching at different levels. That teaching must be different levels. That teaching must be renewed throughout one’s life.renewed throughout one’s life.

How Reverence is taught in the home.How Reverence is taught in the home.

You cannot pass down a faith that you do You cannot pass down a faith that you do not have. not have. (Micah 7:5-7)(Micah 7:5-7)


Micah 7:5-7Micah 7:5-7 5 Do not trust in a friend; Do 5 Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion; not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth From her Guard the doors of your mouth From her who lies in your bosom. 6 For son who lies in your bosom. 6 For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man's enemies mother-in-law; A man's enemies are are the the men of his own household. men of his own household.


7 Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will 7 Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.will hear me.


The Pharisee’s had a “faith” that they The Pharisee’s had a “faith” that they effectively passed down. effectively passed down. (Lk 12:1)(Lk 12:1)


Luke 12:1Luke 12:1 In the meantime, when an In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples another, He began to say to His disciples first first of all, of all, "Beware of the leaven of the "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.


How many of the untrustworthy father’s How many of the untrustworthy father’s worshipped God?worshipped God?


Even when a man has a strong faith in God, Even when a man has a strong faith in God, that does not mean he will successfully that does not mean he will successfully pass that to His children.pass that to His children.


Even when a man has a strong faith in God, Even when a man has a strong faith in God, that does not mean he will successfully that does not mean he will successfully pass that to His children.pass that to His children.

As in our generation, the fathers had turned As in our generation, the fathers had turned their hearts to other things. their hearts to other things. (Mal 4:6)(Mal 4:6)


Malachi 4:6 Malachi 4:6 6 And he will turn The hearts 6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.“and strike the earth with a curse.“


Children can see what is really in our Children can see what is really in our hearts. Consider what God wanted with hearts. Consider what God wanted with future generations in teaching their future generations in teaching their children. children. (Josh 4:4-7)(Josh 4:4-7)


Joshua 4:4-7 Joshua 4:4-7 4 Then Joshua called the 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them: "Cross over before 5 and Joshua said to them: "Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, number of the tribes of the children of Israel,


6 "that this may be a sign among you when 6 "that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do these stones 'What do these stones mean mean to you?' 7 "Then to you?' 7 "Then you shall answer them that the waters of the you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.“the children of Israel forever.“


Divorce and dishonesty destroyed their Divorce and dishonesty destroyed their hearts. hearts. (Mal 2:13-16)(Mal 2:13-16)


Malachi 2:13-16Malachi 2:13-16 - And this is the second thing - And this is the second thing you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, With weeping and crying; So He does not tears, With weeping and crying; So He does not regard the offering anymore, Nor receive regard the offering anymore, Nor receive it it with with goodwill from your hands. 14 Yet you say, "For goodwill from your hands. 14 Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.is your companion And your wife by covenant.


15 But did He not make 15 But did He not make them them one, Having a one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. 16 "For the LORD God of wife of his youth. 16 "For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence," Says the LORD one's garment with violence," Says the LORD of hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, of hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.“That you do not deal treacherously.“


How can one teach God’s ways in such a How can one teach God’s ways in such a home?home?


How can one teach God’s ways in such a How can one teach God’s ways in such a home?home?

Sadly, it is much easier to give your Sadly, it is much easier to give your children to Satan. children to Satan.

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Where is My Reverence? n God asks His people in the book of Malachi “Where is my reverence?” (Mal 1:6)