Malachi - Week 3 - Day 3

A Detestable Thing 

READ 

Malachi 2:11-12 

11 Judah has been unfaithful, and a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. The men of Judah have defiled the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols. 12 May the LORD cut off from the nation of Israel every last man who has done this and yet brings an offering to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 

Of the twelve tribes of Israel, Judah was in the southern kingdom, along with Benjamin, a smaller tribe. The capital of Judah was Jerusalem. These two tribes had been more faithful to the Lord than the 10 northern ones, but now God says that even they had defiled His “beloved sanctuary.” They did this by marrying unbelievers who worshiped idols. The guilty ones would be cut off from the nation for this sin.  

REFLECT 

Does this account impress on you the need to honor God in your life choices? 

RESPOND 

Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 to see God’s instructions for believers not to team up, or be unequally yoked, with unbelievers. This would refer to not only marriage but also other relationships in which unbelievers might have some control over the believers.