Today's Scripture Reading (November 25, 2023): Malachi 3 & 4
Just a personal note: a couple of
weeks ago, one of my uncles passed away. This year, 2023, has been a rough year
for my family. It all started with the passing of my grandmother at the age of
107. Grandma led a good life, and I am thankful for every moment I spent with
her. But her death in the spring was followed by two uncles and the husband of a
special cousin. I am hoping that the passing of my Uncle is the last loss for 2023,
but only God knows what the future might hold for the family.
Soon after my Uncle's death, a
cousin called him a GIANT (the capitals were his). When I first read the words,
I admit that I smiled. My Uncle, at least to me as a kid, was a GIANT. My dad
was tall, but my Uncle was taller. And I can remember, as a kid, hoping that I
would be taller than he was. I made it, but not in the way that I wanted. I was
never taller than my Uncle was when I was a child, but fighting Parkinson's
disease and stooped by age, the last time I saw my Uncle, I was taller than he
was; it was a circumstance that made me sad.
But that wasn't really what my
cousin was saying. My Uncle was a GIANT in many ways. He left a fantastic
legacy for his family, my Aunt, and cousins, and even for those of us who were
a little further out on the limbs of our family tree. He left us a message, not
only in what he said, but also with what he did. His influence was vast, and he
will be remembered by many people. It is a legacy of which his family can be
very proud.
These are the last words of the
Hebrew Bible. Malachi didn't realize it, but these would be the last words
recorded before a 400-year silence from God. This silence would only be broken
by what John called the "Word became flesh." John writes, "The
Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his
glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full
of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
God might be going silent for a while, but that doesn't mean
he has nothing to say. Through Malachi, he tells Israel to remember Moses and
the decrees and laws God gave him on Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai.
God has spoken enough for the people. They didn't need more words; they needed
the character to follow the instructions already given to them.
We have the same words, as well as the words spoken, after that
400-year silence, by the "Word become Flesh." We don't need more
words; we need the character to follow the instructions we already have.
And, once again, in personal mode, my family might have lost
some key people in 2023. Their voices may have gone silent, but as a family, we
need to follow the GIANT example that Aura, Don, Stuart, and Dave have left for
us.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Luke 1
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