Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 5:1-12.

“When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain;  and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great;  for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:1-12.

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The wicked simply do not believe that these are blessed.

The righteous believe that these are indeed blessed, but ironically, in one temporary sense, the righteous are too humble to believe that they themselves are included among these blessed.

But, there is good news!

The righteous, although tempted to withdraw and focus on themselves;  through God’s grace, the righteous do look to God and His works.

The righteous know Scripture.  The righteous do not trust in themselves nor in their own works.  The righteous seek God and His works and remember what God has done for them.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6.

The righteous are thrilled to be reminded that God has blessed them with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

And, although the righteous are not eager to be persecuted, they know God loves them and they trust God to give them sufficient and surrounding grace to not only cause them to be whom they should be, but also they trust God to give them sufficient and surrounding grace to be well content with everything that God provides for them, even persecution.

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew chapter 4.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.  And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”

Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down;  for it is written,

‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’;

and

‘ON THEIR HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”

Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”

Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;  and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”  Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan!  For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”  Then the devil *left Him;  and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”  Matthew 4:1-11.

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In today’s Scripture, we see that the devil quoted Scripture, but he misused Scripture to form conclusions to tempt Jesus.

Anyone can quote Scripture.  Any church can claim to be a Bible-believing church.

But, it does not mean that one who quotes Scripture is teaching the truth, nor does it mean that church who claims to be a Bible-believing church is teaching the truth.

Are their summaries and conclusions true?  In other words, is their doctrine true?

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15.

It is not sufficient to just quote Scripture;  we need to accurately handle the word of truth.

Too often, a preacher or teacher will quote just one of a few verses and use that very little basis to support a rambling and long sermon or message.

But, a preacher or teacher may also quote Scripture extensively but use it to support his own personal agenda rather than use it to support the true meaning of Scripture.

Too often, a preacher or teacher will ignore the context of the Scripture or other passages of Scripture that should be considered.

And, too often, congregations encourage such misuse of Scripture.  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;  but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”  2 Timothy 4:3.

Scripture emphasizes the importance of truth.

Jesus said both in Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7:  ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”

Jesus also stated in John 16:13:  “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  …”

Jesus also stated in John 4:23-24:  “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;  for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Not any kind of worship will suffice, but “worship in spirit and truth”.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.  For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.  For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  Romans 11:1-4.

Not any kind of zeal will suffice, but zeal “in accordance with knowledge”, or in other words, in accordance with truth.

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13.

Not any kind of faith will suffice, but “faith in the truth”.

There are those who “did not receive the love of truth so as to be saved”.  2 Thessalonians 2: 10-13.

Not any kind of love will suffice, but “the love of truth”.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew chapter 3.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The axe is already laid at the root of the trees;  therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

“As for me (John the Baptist), I baptize you with water for repentance, but He (Jesus Christ) who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals;  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor;  and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”  Matthew 3:10-12.

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“Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;  and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’;  for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.”  Verse 8.

Likewise, we cannot claim to be the elect but neglect moral excellence and love for others.  God “has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness”.  We should diligently use all the good things that He has given us for life and godliness.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.  Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.  Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you;  for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;  for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”  2 Peter 1:2-11.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?  So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So then, you will know them by their fruits.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you;  DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’”  Matthew 7:15-23.

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude;  and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;  however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”  Philippians 3:12-15.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew chapter 2.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2&version=NASB

I quote only the following verse.

“After coming into the house they (“magi from the east” a/k/a wise men) saw the Child with Mary His mother;  and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.  Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:11.

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Today’s Scripture makes us meditate on what gifts please God.

“Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the LORD.”  Psalm 4:5.

“He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.  Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.”  Malachi 3:3-4.

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”  Romans 12:1.

“… present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”  Romans 6:13.

But, this righteousness does not come from the Law, but rather, this righteousness comes from the grace of God through faith.

“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe;  …”  Romans 3:21.

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.  For what does the Scripture say?  “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  Romans 4:2-3.

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:21.

“… so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”  Philippians 3:8-9.

“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.  …  And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:4 and 6.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:  when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.  And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.  But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife;  for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a Son;  and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”  And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son;  and he called His name Jesus.”  Matthew 1:18-24.

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When difficult things, even supernatural things, happen to us beyond our ordinary understanding and ability to deal with them, such as Joseph being confronted with Mary’s pregnancy, God gives us grace to deal with them as God did for Joseph to assure and comfort him and to guide him.

God may not send us an angel, often the means of grace is very small and common and almost imperceptible such as a word of encouragement from a fellow saint, but God will give us what we need as He sees best to deal with such difficult, even supernatural things.

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi chapter 4.

“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 hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.”  “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings;  and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.  You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the LORD of hosts.

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

“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.  He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”  Malachi chapter 4.

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In this last chapter of the Old Testament, the grand theme is the LORD’s preparations.  We see this in all three paragraphs of the chapter.

The LORD prepared “the day that is coming (that) will set them (all the arrogant and every evildoer) ablaze  …  on the day which I am preparing,”.

The LORD prepared the Law to provide the legal basis of justice for punishing the wicked and also to provide the tutor to lead His elect to Christ.  “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”  Galatians 3:24-25.

The LORD prepared for the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ, by sending John the Baptist who is described as Elijah the prophet.  See also Matthew 11:7-15.

Other doctrine sees only what man does and what man should do.

But, Reformed Doctrine sees what the LORD has done and what the LORD will do.  In one word, Reformed Doctrine teaches God’s “providence”.

“Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“Do not let your heart be troubled;  believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places;  if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”  John 14:1-3.

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi 3:7-18.

“7 “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them.  Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.  “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

8 “Will a man rob God?  Yet you are robbing Me!  But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’  In tithes and offerings.  9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!  10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.  11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground;  nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the LORD of hosts.  12 “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts.

13 “Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says the LORD.  “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’  14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God;  and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before the LORD of hosts?  15 So now we call the arrogant blessed;  not only are the doers of wickedness built up but they also test God and escape.’”

16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name.  17 “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”  18 So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.”  Malachi 3:7-18.

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The common theme in these verses is the blessedness of those who serve the LORD.  The LORD causes them to stand out as being blessed by Him in sharp contrast to the wicked.  “So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.”  Verse 18.

Those who serve the LORD are blessed through their giving of the whole tithes and offerings.  The LORD opens the windows of heaven and pours out a blessing for them until it overflows, and the fruit of their labors are preserved.  Verses 10-11.

Those who serve the LORD are blessed through their keeping His charge and being humble.  The LORD gives them profit.  Verse 14.

Those who serve the LORD are blessed through their fear of the LORD and their esteem of His name.  The LORD remembers them.  Verse 16.  “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.”  Psalm 34:15.  “He has given food to those who fear Him;  He will remember His covenant forever.”  Psalm 111:5.

Those who serve the LORD are blessed through their serving as a son does for his father.  The LORD spares them from spiritual death.  Verse 17.

Those who serve the LORD are blessed by the LORD setting them safe and apart from the wicked who will be punished.  Verse 18.  “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 hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.”  “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings;  and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.  You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the LORD of hosts.”  Malachi 4:1-3.

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi 3:1-6.

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me.  And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple;  and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.  “But who can endure the day of His coming?  And who can stand when He appears?  For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.  He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.  Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment;  and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts.  “For I, the LORD, do not change;  therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  Malachi 3:1-6.

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The LORD only refines “the sons of Levi”, a representative group symbol for the LORD’s elect, with whom the LORD has His covenant.

The LORD of hosts does not refine everyone, even though everyone needs it.

Among those who need refining but did not receive refining, but only a swift witness against them, are “the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear” the LORD of hosts.  Verse 5.

Those who also need refining and did receive it are the elect.  Although the elect may be unfaithful, (“From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them.  …” Malachi 3:7), the LORD is faithful.  “For I, the LORD, do not change;  therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  Verse 6.  “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”  2 Timothy 2:13.

The god of other doctrine changes his mind on whom he will save all the time based on what man does.

But, the God of Scripture presented by Reformed Doctrine does not change His mind on whom He will save based on what man does.  “… therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  Rather, this God of Scripture refines His elect and does everything else that His elect need for salvation.

Reformed Doctrine brings great comfort and summarizes today’s Scripture in “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+2&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem;  for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD which He loves and has married the daughter of a foreign god.  As for the man who does this, may the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who awakes and answers, or who presents an offering to the LORD of hosts.

“This is another thing you do:  you cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.  Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’  Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.  But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit.  And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring?  Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth.  For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts.  “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”  Malachi 2:11-16.

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Today’s Scripture teaches that one should not marry one outside of the faith:  “Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD which He loves and has married the daughter of a foreign god.”  Verse 11.

And, today’s Scripture teaches that one should not divorce:  “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel”.  Verse 16.

Regarding the first teaching, we are reminded of Ezra 9:1-2:  “Now when these things had been completed, the princes approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites.  For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands;  indeed, the hands of the princes and the rulers have been foremost in this unfaithfulness.”

And, we are also reminded of 2 Corinthians 6:14-18:

“14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers;  for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God;  just as God said,

“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.”

Regarding the second teaching, we are reminded of Mark 10:9:  “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” and Matthew 19:9:  “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Finally, consider that these two teachings are related.  It would seem that divorce between spouses of different faiths would be more likely for two reasons.  First, they are pointed in different directions with different interests.  Second, they do not have a common faith to bind them together.  Regarding this second point, even without the different interests and different directions, it is tough enough with the normal pressures of life for even spouses of a common faith to stay together.  A common faith helps spouses to stay together, which common faith binding is not present between those of different faiths.

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.

“I have loved you,” says the LORD.  But you say, “How have You loved us?”  “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD.  “Yet I have loved Jacob;  but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”  Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”;  thus says the LORD of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down;  and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever.”  Your eyes will see this and you will say, “The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”

…

“For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure;  for My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts.”  Malachi 1:1-5 and 11.

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The LORD declares His sovereignty and “Unconditional Election” as summarized in Romans 9:13:  “Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”

But, instead of a call only to Israel, the LORD’s chosen people, to embrace the LORD’s sovereignty and “Unconditional Election”, we read:  “The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”  Verse 5.

And, instead of proper worship by Israel, we read:  “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master.  Then if I am a father, where is My honor?  And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name.  But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’  You are presenting defiled food upon My altar.  But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’  In that you say, ‘The table of the LORD is to be despised.’  But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil?  And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil?  Why not offer it to your governor?  Would he be pleased with you?  Or would he receive you kindly?” says the LORD of hosts.”  Verses 6-8.

And, also instead of proper worship by Israel, we read:  “For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure;  for My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts.” Verse 11.

So, instead of preaching and teaching the LORD’s sovereignty and “Unconditional Election” quietly in a corner to only the perceived chosen, we should preach and teach the LORD’s sovereignty and “Unconditional Election” loudly and “promiscuously” to all people, everywhere.

Article 5.  Moreover, the promise of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth in Christ crucified, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations, and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of his good pleasure sends the gospel.  SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby of Canons of Dordt.

“25 As He says also in Hosea,

“I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, ‘MY PEOPLE,’
AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, ‘BELOVED.’”
26 “AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, ‘YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,’
THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD.”

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;  28 FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY.”  29 And just as Isaiah foretold,

“UNLESS THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY,
WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH.”  Romans 9:25-29.