The Lord of Hosts (3) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? says the Lord of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, "In what way have we despised Your name?" You offer defiled food on My altar, but say, "In what way have we defiled You?" By saying, "The table of the Lord is contemptible."
Malachi 1:6-7

The Lord of Hosts (3)
Malachi, whose name means "My Messenger," was the last prophet God sent to His people in the Old Testament. No details are given us about him, but the theme of his prophecy dates it about the time of Nehemiah or shortly thereafter, when their worship had degenerated into an empty routine. We see the controversy the Lord of hosts had with the priests' corruption, the sad family life of the people, and their utter lack of respect for Him. When He as their Father reprimands His people for their faults, they talk back to Him defensively, justifying themselves rather than acknowledging the truth of what He is saying and repenting.

The Lord of hosts sets before them His love for them and how He dealt with their enemy, Edom. Now through Malachi He is dealing with His people Israel. But He will send His messenger before His face—years later this gets fulfilled in John the Baptist's witness of Jesus. After denouncing those who were robbing Him and defying Him, He expresses appreciation for the remnant who fear the Lord, speak often to each other, and think on His name. But He also promises the great and dreadful Day of the Lord.

We today live in a time of lukewarm indifference in Christendom to the claims of our Lord Jesus. So let's be like the remnant He commends for fearing Him! Let us look for the Bright and Morning Star who will come for us before the Sun of Righteousness rises for Israel's faithful remnant at the end of the Tribulation!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.