Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

February 26
Thursday


A SAD SPLIT

READ:
Malachi 2:10-16
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Let none deal
treacherously with
the wife of his youth.
__Malachi 2:15
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The drama played out in a nest of bald eagles monitored by a web-cam. A beloved eagle family, viewed by many via the Internet, was breaking up. After raising several offspring in previous seasons, the mother again laid new eggs in the spring. But then a young female invaded their happy home. When Dad started covorting with her, Mom disappeared and the life in the abandoned eggs died.

In an Internet chat room, questions and accusations flew wildly. Everyone who loved the pair was distraught. Biologists warned the ameteur eagle enthusiasts not to attribute human values to birds. But everyone did. We all wanted the original couple to reunite. everyone seemed to "know" that the family unit is sacred.

As chat room members expressed their sadness, I wondered if they knew that God feels much the same way about human family breakups. I also wondered about myself: Why did I feel more sadness over the eagles than over the fractured human families in my community? Clearly, I need to revise my priorities.

In Malachi 2, we see God's view of marriage. It symbolizes His covenant with His people (v.11). He takes it very seriously--and so should we. __Julie Ackerman Link
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````````````````````````THINKING IT OVER
````````````In Malachi 2:11, what is "profaned" and how?
`````````````How does Malachi 2:15 echo Genesis 2:24?
````````````````Why is this important? (Mal. 2:15-16).
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Put Christ first if you want your marriage to last.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Malachi 2:10-16************

10 Have we not all one
Father? Has not one God
created us? why do we deal
treacherously with one
another by profaning the
covenant of the fathers?

11 Judah has dealt
treacherously, and an
abomination has been
committed in Israel and in
Jerusalem, for Judah has
profaned the LORD's holy
institution which He loves:
He has married the daughter
of a foreign god. 12 May the
LORD cut off from the tents
of Jacob the man who does
this, being awake and aware,
yet who brings an offering to
the LORD of hosts!

13 And this is the second
thing you do; You cover the
altar of the LORD with tears,
with weeping and crying; so
He does not regard the
offering anymore, nor
receive it with goodwill from
your hands. 14 Yet you say,
"For what reason?" Because
the LORD has been witness
between you and the wife of
your youth, with whom you
have dealt treacherously; yet
she is your companion and
your wife by covenant.

15 But did He not make
them one, having a remnant
of the Spirit? And why one?
He seeks godly offspring.
Therefore take heed to your
spirit, and let none deal
treacherously with the wife
of his youth.

16 "For the LORD God of
Israel says that He hates
divorce, for it covers one's
garment with violence," says
the LORD of hosts. Therefore
take heed to your spirit, that
you do not deal
treacherously.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Here, Malachi confronted God's people about two marital sins;
intermarriage with nonbelievers (2:11-12) and divorce (vv.14-16).
Malachi affirmed that marriage is an institution God loves (v.11). It
is a covenant--not merely a contract (v.14)__a lifelong commitment
(vv.14-15). Sim Kay Tee

[lizzie]

Amen sister cimi

He is the foundation on which our relationships must be built and the glue that will keep our marriages together.

If only more sought Him, rather than turning to the temporal feel good fixes.

We must pray for our married brothers and sisters, as the enemy is relentless in his attacks. He wants to see Christian families fall apart, and will throw every stumbling block he can come up with, in their way.

As you shared, Christ first...