Burdens

Words are important. Take Malachi 1:1 for example:

The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. (Malachi 1:1 KJV)

The word of the Lord is described as a burden. The Hebrew word is משּׂא, defined by Strong as tribute or an utterance of doom. It is not laid “on” Israel, but is given “to”. A very slight difference in tone. It is not a burden created by the Lord, but by the people.

Malachi sounds much as lessons unlearned, a situation that exists today. One commentary states:

Malachi, though dead, yet speaks to the modern world about the need to bring performance into line with profession. His message, therefore, is current

I need to do this, as do most of the people I know, including Paul:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 KJV)

We continually press toward that mark, but we will never reach it on our own. Paul knew this, too:

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12 KJV)

Our failures should be lessons learned and should not be repeatable. We have an example:

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:21-23 KJV)

These examples of God’s Word are found in God’’s word. What better way to learn of God’s history with mankind than to read His inspired writings to mankind? There are so many promises for us!

Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (Malachi 3:14-16 KJV)

Do we that fear the Lord speak often to one another and think upon His name? The difference may be as simple as:

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (Malachi 3:18 KJV)

The question we face is whether to serve God or not. We are very, very good at denial if we think we are serving and we have not considered His word to us.

When you spend time reading God’s word, you will learn why Jesus said:

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:30 KJV)