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"The LORD is magnified"

Text: Malachi 1:5

A GROWING UNDERSTANDING

Israel did not fully understand the LORD and His covenant. They turned to idolatry instead and they were soon overwhelmed by evil. It took seventy years of exile to cure them from their sinful idolatrous ways.

But did Israel learn all that much for having spent decades in exile? Sadly, they still had many misgivings in their heart towards God. The Lord had to point them towards a growing understanding of His relationship with His people.

“Your eyes shall see,
And you shall say,
‘The LORD is magnified beyond the border of Israel.'”
Malachi 1:5

1. “Your eyes shall see”

a) Faith was not a strong feature in Israel, sadly.

b) They need to see in order to understand.

c) Hopefully what they see and observe would result in a deeper trust in God.

2. “And you shall say”

a) This was hoped-for.

b) Much depended on whether Israel would be able to have a deeper understanding.

3. The content of what they would say:

a) “The LORD is magnified”

i) Israel’s view of God needed improvement.

ii) The desire to magnify God was not strong.

iii) To magnify God was simply to exalt Him duly.

iv) God had proven Himself time and again to Israel so faithfully.

b) “Beyond the border of Israel”

i) This should have been an obvious truth that the Lord is the supreme King.

ii) He is exalted way beyond the local and physical confines of Israel.

iii) The mighty works of the LORD all over the world should inspire faith.