MALACHI : MALACHI My Messenger Old Testament Prophets 2
Christian Life College
Stockton, CA
"My messenger" or "Messenger of Yahweh" : "My messenger" or "Messenger of Yahweh" Malachi 3:1 (NKJV)
"Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts."
"My messenger" or "Messenger of Yahweh" : "My messenger" or "Messenger of Yahweh" Isaiah 40:3 (NKJV)
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.”
Appeal to Backsliders : Appeal to Backsliders Malachi addresses social and moral problems interfering with the covenant relationship with Yahweh.
Appeal to Backsliders : Appeal to Backsliders Similar to conditions in Nehemiah:
corrupt priests (1:6-2:9; Neh. 13:1-9)
neglect of tithes and offerings (3:7-12; Neh. 13:10-13)
intermarriage with pagan wives (2:10-16; Neh. 13:23-28)
They were cured of their idolatry after the captivity but the sin problem remained.
The Privilege of the Nation (1:1-5) : The Privilege of the Nation (1:1-5) A Reminder of their special and unique covenantal relationship to Yahweh.
"Yet Jacob (Israel) I have loved; But Esau (Edom) I have hated"
Contrast the fate of these two nations to understand the obvious love God had for Israel.
The Pollution of the Nation (1:6--3:15) : The Pollution of the Nation (1:6--3:15) God withholds his blessing from Israel because of their disobedience to the covenant.
Diseased and imperfect animals were being offered on the altar. Better care was given to their governor than to God.
The Pollution of the Nation (1:6--3:15) : The Pollution of the Nation (1:6--3:15) Malachi 1:7-8 (NKJV)
"You offer defiled food on My altar…
"And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?"
The Pollution of the Nation (1:6--3:15) : The Pollution of the Nation (1:6--3:15) Insincere Worship and observance by the Priests (2:2)
Divorce and Remarriage - Taking of Foreign Wives (2:15-16)
The Pollution of the Nation (1:6--3:15) : The Pollution of the Nation (1:6--3:15) Robbing God - Missed Blessings (3:8-11)
"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings."
... you have robbed Me, ...."
The Pollution of the Nation (1:6--3:15) : The Pollution of the Nation (1:6--3:15) "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it."
"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, ...
The Promise to the Nation (3:16--4:6) : The Promise to the Nation (3:16--4:6) The wicked will be judged and those who fear the Lord will be blessed.
It is not in vain to serve the Lord: (3:14)
"You have said, 'It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the LORD of hosts?"
The Promise to the Nation (3:16--4:6) : The Promise to the Nation (3:16--4:6) Blessing (3:16-17)
Judgment (4:1)
Conclusion of the English Old Testament.
A bitter ending; "curse." The effects of sin are still evident.
(4:5)