Day 30: From The Rising Of The Sun

“My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,' says the LORD Almighty.” 

Malachi 1:11

At a time when the sacrificial system was Israel’s only hope for dealing with sin, God’s people stood accused of showing contempt for His name by offering unfit and impure sacrifices. Suddenly, interrupting God’s word of rebuke, comes this wonderful prophecy. It speaks of a time to come when God’s name will be revered in every nation, instead of just one nation (Israel); when worship will be offered in every place, instead of just one (the temple in Jerusalem), and when pure offerings will be brought to God’s name instead of the impure sacrifices which are rejected by God. 

But if one nation can’t even honour God rightly, how is God’s name to become great in every nation? Through the sending of his Son, the radiance of God’s glory, into the world. And did Jesus come to seek glory for himself, to lord it over the world? Far from it, Jesus came to lay down his glory and offer himself up for the world. The perfect and pure Lamb of God is sacrificed to atone for the sins of the whole world, opening up the way of salvation for people of every tribe, tongue and nation who will believe in him. 

Only through Jesus can ‘the nations be glad and sing for joy’ (Ps 67:4). Because ‘He reigns…the distant shores (can) rejoice. (Ps 97:1). 

His name will be great among the nations. 

Kat Starling