Malachi Chapter One, Beyond The Border of Israel

 

Malachi 1: 4 Even though Edom has said, “We have been impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places,” Thus says the LORD of hosts: “They may build, but I will throw down; They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, and the people against whom the LORD will have indignation forever. [5] Your eyes shall see, and you shall say, ‘The LORD is magnified beyond the border of Israel.’

 

Verse 5 carries with it the shadow of coming change. Israel was well aware that Yahweh was their covenant God, and for good reason as already stated. But God had already demonstrated interest in the nations beyond Israel since time immemorial. The narrative of Genesis chapters 4-11 demonstrated God’s dealings with all of humankind, even as the Christ’s bloodline was being added to during the antediluvian years. Genesis 4:3 strongly suggests a localized altar where people brought offerings to God in that time, while Genesis 4:26 demonstrates a universal worship as “men” (mankind in general) began to call on the Lord’s name. And as we know from the prophet: “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved,” Joel 2:32.

God’s care for those not of Israel is manifest numerous times in Scripture during the days of the monarchy. The prophet Jonah was commanded, “Arise, go the city of Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me,” Jonah 1:2. Nineveh was the capitol of the Assyrian empire. Assyria was the empire that conquered and took captive the northern kingdom, 2 Kings 17:6. Jonah was an active prophet in the northern kingdom during the reign of Jeroboam, 2 Kings 14:25, and likely knew well the insidious influence Assyria wielded. The prophet, in his infamous disagreement with God, tried to flee from Him, Jonah 1:3. In the course of time Jonah did relent and preach to the Ninevites, only to place himself outside the east of the city, waiting for its destruction, Jonah 4:5. God, through object lessons involving a plant and a worm, taught the prophet the value of human life, Jewish or otherwise, Jonah 4:10, 11. The people of Nineveh, though Assyrians, and though enemies of Israel, were men and women made in God’s image. His desire was to show them mercy through His covenant people, to show the nations near and far that there is a God in Israel.

 

Another, similar incident occurred during the ministry of Elisha. Naaman the Syrian, a military commander and leper had taken captive a Jewish girl who informed him of Elisha. The prophet of Israel could heal the commander’s leprosy, 2 Kings 5:1-3. Much like Jonah’s ministry, Naaman was sent by that Jewish slave girl to Elisha so he might know, “that there is a prophet in Israel,” 2 Kings 5:8. Though Naaman was very angry at the simplicity of the instructions Elisha gave him, his servants convinced him to listen, and because he obeyed his leprosy was cured, 2 Kings 5:14. Naaman the Syrian wanted a show from Elisha, like court magicians might have given in Egypt or Babylon. While he did not receive a show, he did receive healing, and with it, saving faith, 2 Kings 5:15. God fished for Naaman with a Jewish slave, brought him to Israel and Elisha, and through Elisha, brought him physical and spiritual deliverance, 2 Kings 5:17.

 

Going off topic for but a moment, here we have the hypothetical “man on the desert island” argument. I have actually been posed this argument, with the opponent stating that such exclusivity can’t be God’s choice. What if someone was stranded on a desert island and never had the chance to hear the gospel? Naaman’s conversion is an excellent counter argument. If someone will believe the message of the gospel rest assured God will orchestrate events to lead that person to the truth.

 

In the book of Isaiah, during the days of the future restoration of the Davidic kingdom, the prophet writes, “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him,” Isaiah 11:10. When Christ comes to rule He will restore the kingdom to Israel, and shall reign from the throne of His ancestor, David. To Him the Gentiles will come. Near the very end of his book, Isaiah, once again inspired by the Holy Spirit about the coming kingdom, writes, “It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory…I will send to the nations…to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles,” Isaiah 66:18, 19. All nations means every civilized country with government and boundaries. All tongues consist of all speaking people all across the globe, even the coastlands afar off. During the Jerusalem council James clarifies God’s clear intention of incorporating the Gentiles in His offer of salvation, quoting Amos 9:11, 12, see Acts 15:15-17. God working through Israel was designed to draw peoples to Him, with Israel acting as His intermediary. In the church age, having temporarily set Israel aside, the Christian has become the ambassador to seek and to save the lost to the glory of God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.