Each Nation Had its God
W. Osborne Lilley. Malachi 1:5 And your eyes shall see, and you shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel. The deities were made to rival each other in the protection and blessing which they afforded to the nations that worshipped them. I. THIS PROPHETIC UTTERANCE. Evils abounded when the prophet lived. The sins of the people were eclipsing God's glory; but the prophet knew that it would shine forth as the sun. It is therefore an utterance — (1) Of holy faith; (2) of firm assurance; (3) of exultant expectation.God must be magnified. It is necessary — 1. For the furtherance of His purposes. 2. For the vindication of His righteousness. 3. For the good of the universe. II. HOW THIS UTTERANCE WAS, AND MAY BE FULFILLED. The history of the Israelites abounds with confirmations of the prophet's words. His faith would be strengthened as he remembered past dispensations. Though God's ancient people were dispersed, the spiritual Israel remains. He has been magnified. 1. In the redemption of the cross. 2. In the interposition of providence in behalf of His Church. 3. In the holy lives and sufferings of His people. 4. In the missionary enterprises of His Church. III. WHERE THIS SHOULD BE FULFILLED. In "the border of Israel." The spiritual Israel must ever magnify God. This is the duty of the Church. 1. The Church should interpret all events so as to do this. 2. It should do it under all circumstances. 3. It should seek this first in all its organisations and evangelistic efforts.Application. Let this be our aim continually — to magnify God. We often seek to magnify ourselves. Our truest greatness is in making Him great. (W. Osborne Lilley.) Parallel Verses KJV: And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel. WEB: Your eyes will see, and you will say, "Yahweh is great—even beyond the border of Israel!"