The Please word in Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe
to the storehouse, so that
there will be food in my house, and test me please in this,” says Yahweh of
hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour forth for
you an overflowing blessing. [LEB]
Bring the whole tithe
into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and put Me to the
test now in this,” says the Lord of
armies, “if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a
blessing until it overflows. [NASB]
The original Hebrew word used is na (na')
Strong's
# |
4994 |
Definition |
I
(we) pray, now |
Part
of Speech |
Interjection |
|
NAS Exhaustive Concordance |
Word
Origin |
a
primitive particle of entreaty or exhortation |
Usage
in NASB and occurrence |
Ah
(2), beg (1), beseech (1), come (3), implore (1), may (1), now (159), O (2),
O may (1), Oh (10), Oh may (2), please (181), please* (1), pray (16) |
|
The Hebrew word na occurred 403 times in the Old Testament. In the
book of Malachi, it appeared only once, in chapter 3 verse 10.
In KJV online, the word 'now' was not tagged for Strong's.
Bring ye all the tithes
into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now
herewith, saith the Lord of
hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a
blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. [KJV]
In the Biblegateway website, out of 54 Bible versions used, only 2
versions used the translation 'please.'
Progressive Truth
Revelation
Malachi 3:10 is the only place in the Bible where God asked us to
test Him. Elsewhere, it's sinful and life-threatening to challenge God.
But Jesus answered, “It also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God
to the test.’” [Luke 4:12 BSB]
In this passage, satan was tempting Jesus. In his third try, he
dared the Lord to jump off, and he quoted another verse to back his challenge. But
Jesus replied by quoting the passage from Deuteronomy 6:16, which in turn was a
narrative by Moses reminding them of their rebellion and consequential
punishment.
It's interesting to note that the book of Malachi was the last
revelation of God in the Old Testament - before the Lord went silent for 400
years. The next divine encounter to be documented in Scripture was the coming
of John the Baptizer and Christ Jesus.
God said through Malachi, "Test me…" Then, 400 years
later, He said, "Don't test me…"
Obviously, there's more to these words than just usage and
semantics.
When God asked us to test Him, to try Him, and to prove Him, it was
in the area of Tithes and Offerings. The Lord of Heaven and Earth wants us to
experience His Benevolent Hand of provision through the paying of His tithes
and the sowing of our seed.
And there's more.
God says please: Test Me please in this!
Circumstances have challenged our beliefs: Does tithing work
during this pandemic?
Lack and scarcity have stained us to be cynics: Is it proper to
tithe and give offerings just when my personal finances is breaking?!
The answer is still a yes and a yes, because our Provider is not
confined by the circumstances of the pandemic, or the limitations of the world
economy. He is still King of kings and Lord of lords.
But just how will God provide?
Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or
imagine, according to His power that is at work within us… [Ephesians 3:20 BSB]
God is able. He can do so much more.
If we can ask and pray for it, if it's according to God's will, then
He will do it. He will bless us.
If we can imagine how, just how, then God can do better, so much
better. His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts are better than our
thoughts, His methodology is superior to ours. He is Sovereign. He can turn
things around.
And so, to the God who says, "Please…"
…to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. [Ephesians 3:21 BSB]
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