Malachi - Week 2 - Day 2

Cursed Cheats 

READ 

Malachi 1:14 

14 “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!” 

Notice that God calls a person a “cheat” for not giving the best to Him. Some translations render the word “cheat” as a “deceiver” or “swindler.” God says such a person is cursed because of offering less than the best to Him. The priests in the nation of Israel did not fear God as they should, but they are reminded that His name is “feared among the nations.”  

REFLECT 

As others watch your life, do they realize you fear God by the way you live? 

RESPOND 

Discuss with a friend how believers show others through their lives that they fear God. Read Ephesians 4:28-32 and talk about whether you are living according to these instructions from the apostle Paul.