Malachi Book Study

Well, I’m going to admit I’m a little nervous about being up here. I know a lot of you guys are amazing men of God and its humbling to try and bring something before you to challenge you, inspire you, and/or spur you on in your relationship with the lord. Just to let you know a little about me.. well instead of telling you things, why don’t I just let you guys ask me some questions, and then if nobody has any we can just move on...

About My teaching style

I like to consider my self an expository teacher, I like line by line, verse by verse study. Using scripture to evaluate scripture. (Holograms)

I will speak in generalizations, in types and connections. These are not perfect comparisons, and exceptions don’t disprove the rule.

I like to think about the interconnectedness of scripture. God has given us all the information we need, we just need to connect the dots.

in the end, don’t take my word for it… go and read it yourself!

Seek ye first

as we prepare for study I want to start with a call to action. I’m going to repeat this call every week, you are probably going to be tired of hearing me say it, but at least you will know it, and won’t be able to ignore it.

I’m just going to call it Seek Ye First. You probably know the reference, no matter how long you’ve been a christian.

I want you to seek the things of heaven… and maybe your thinking “that’s exactly why I’m here”

I want to read you this quote from a late 17th century theologian named Arthur Pink:

‘Holy Scripture does not yield up its treasures to the indolent(lazy); and as long as the individual preacher(you and me) is willing to let Dr. Scofield or Mr. Pink do his studying for him, he must not expect to make much progress in divine things. Ponder Proverbs 2:1–5!’

I don’t know where you are in your walk, or in your knowledge of the scripture, but whether you are brand new or a champion in the faith, this is your responsibility, not mine, not Jeremy's not Brian’s.. but yours. You have to seek first.

Think of this example:

Think of all the different varieties of life on the planet, now let’s narrow that down to just plant life and vegetation, is there any one place on earth we’re all the varieties can be found in one place? No. The scripture is much the same, there is no one passages that holds all the truth of God, it is scattered and hidden amongst the entirety of the Word.

we must become priests and theologians, hunting for treasures and when we find them, abandoning everything else to keep them.

Matthew 6:33 “But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.”

So Seek Ye First!

Introduction

Who was Malachi?

God’s messenger. Debate of whether this is a title, or a name. Most Hebrew names have similar meanings so, likely just a name. There are reasons on both sides, but they are unimportant for this study. I’m going to assume Malachi was an actual person bringing this message.

When Was it written?

Anywhere between 500-330 BC. This is a time after the Jews have returned from Babylonian exile, Zerubbabel has rebuilt the temple, Likely a contemporary or near the time of Nehemiah, but proceeding 100 years after the messages of Haggai and Zachariah. Also read Ezra for context.

What is going on?

The people have already turned away from the Lord after just 3 generations returning from exile. Malachi is going to bring God’s case against his people, closing out the time of the prophets and paving the way for John the baptist and Jesus.

What is its Literary form?

It reads like a legal case.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Literary Form)

Malachi resembles a legal case that is set within a courtroom. Most of the prophets came preaching messages from God, proclaiming destruction for sin and restoration for repentance through well-crafted rhetoric. Malachi, on the other hand, seems comfortable in the language of the priest. Much of the common prophetic rhetorical devices (e.g., use of the phrase “Thus says the Lord” and formal announcements of judgment) are missing from Malachi (Brown, Obadiah through Malachi, 191), who instead draws his messages from the sacrificial system and Israel’s liturgical vocabulary

key themes: God loves us, and he doesn’t change. Authenticity in worship.

This book was meant to bring the people, in particular the priest and leaders back into right communion with God. God wanted his people to know He hasn’t changed, he is the same God, who requires the same things, and has given the same promises.

The book is a back and forth between God and the people of Isreal. God Makes a statement and then the people retort back in objection, and then God makes his point. first 3 are exposing corruption, last three confront their corruption.

6 arguments against the people of Israel:

I have Loved Jacob, but Esau I Hated (1:2-5)

The Priest Offer Unacceptable Sacrifices to the LORD & The Priests Do Not Teach the LORD’s Word Correctly (1:6-2:9)

The People Break Their Marriage Vows and committing idolatry. (2:10-16

Where is the God of Justice? The Coming of the Messenger of the Promise (have you forgotten?) (2:17-3:5

You have turned away, The People Are Cheating God (3:6-12)

What good is it to serve God? (3:13-18)

Restating of His promises to His People:

The Day of the LORD Brings Judgment (4:1-3)

Remember What God Has Done and Will Do (4:4-6)

Read Malachi 1-4 highlighting the 6 arguments and final promises.

Key takeaways for us:

Application in Biblical history - to Israel

it is important for us to know the story of Israel because this is how God chose to revel his character and covenants. This teaches us about how God relates to us… more on this when we get to chapter 4.

Application to our churches and our culture

We no longer have a system of priest and sacrifices, instead we have a body of believers. the gravity of proper worship still exists, and we will discuss these parallels more in chapter two.

And application to us personally and our walk in faith

All scripture is beneficial, and we should evaluate our own walk in the light of what we discover.

Ok, Questions and then a call to seek ye first. (please read ahead)

Prayer and prayer request.

Chapter 1:2-5

I have Loved Jacob, but Esau I Hated

Start with call to action.

Reading of the passage:

Malachi 1:1–5 GW

This is a divine revelation. The Lord spoke his word to Israel through Malachi.  “I loved you,” says the Lord.  “But you ask, ‘How did you love us?’  “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “I loved Jacob, but Esau I hated. I turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the jackals in the desert.  “The descendants of Esau may say, ‘We have been beaten down, but we will rebuild the ruins.’  “Yet, this is what the Lord of Armies says: They may rebuild, but I will tear it down. They will be called ‘the Wicked Land’ and ‘the people with whom the Lord is always angry.’ You will see these things with your own eyes and say, ‘Even outside the borders of Israel the Lord is great.’ 

The first account against Israel is they have forgotten God’s love. How often do we see this play out? the lord does something great, keeping His promises and yet Israel ignores, rebels, or forgets about God.

How have you loved us? this retort is so common in our culture today. Things weren’t going great for Israel, so they want to know how God has loved them. How often do we do this in our own lives? we look to God and say why isn’t this better.

Let’s look at how God responds to this question:

I have loved Jacob and Hated Esau.

So who where Esau and Jacob? Gen 25:19-34

Two nations at war… step back:

Issac as a type of Christ

Rachel as a type of the Church

Esau as a type of the flesh

Jacob as a type of the spirit

History of Edom - Red stuff. - How the flesh operates, it’s all about appetite and gratification. You lose blessings and bring trouble on your house.

Why is this a difficult concept for us? God is Love, how can he hate Esau? Questions about God’s Choices, and whether or not He loves you.

Romans 9:10-14 “The same thing happened to Rebekah. Rebekah became pregnant by our ancestor Isaac. Before the children had been born or had done anything good or bad, Rebekah was told that the older child would serve the younger one. This was said to Rebekah so that God’s plan would remain a matter of his choice, a choice based on God’s call and not on anything people do.The Scriptures say, “I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.” What can we say—that God is unfair? That’s unthinkable!”

Think about a potter, can he not make one pot for a holy ceremony and yet another as a chamber pot? It is God’s mercy that separates us from Edom not his favor.

God chose to show his love here, not by listing the ways he had provided for Israel, which are many, but by demonstrating his hate for Esau, the flesh, and his intent to wipe it out.

Edom’s destruction:

Jeremiah 49:16-18 “You have frightened other people. Your arrogance has deceived you. You live on rocky cliffs and occupy the highest places in the hills. Even though you build your nest as high as an eagle, I will bring you down from there,” declares the Lord. “Then Edom will become something horrible. Everyone who passes by it will be horrified and hiss at all its wounds. Edom will be like Sodom, Gomorrah, and their neighboring cities when they were destroyed. No one will live there. No human will stay there,” says the Lord.”

Ezekiel 25:13-14 “So this is what the Almighty Lord says: I will use my power against Edom. I will wipe out people and animals. I will turn the land into ruins from Teman to Dedan. People will die in battle. I will use my people Israel to take revenge on Edom. My people will deal with Edom based on my anger and my fury. Then the Edomites will know my revenge, declares the Almighty Lord.”

Obadiah 1:10,18-19 “The descendants of Jacob will be like a fire. The descendants of Joseph will be like a flame. But the descendants of Esau will be like straw. They will be burned and destroyed. There will be no one left among the descendants of Esau.” The Lord has spoken. “People from the Negev will take possession of Esau’s mountain. People from the foothills will take possession of Philistia. They will take possession of the lands of Ephraim and Samaria, and ⸤the descendants of⸥ Benjamin will take possession of Gilead.”

Our actions reveal our hearts. God is telling us his actions reveal His heart. He doesn’t change. He loves us.

How often do we say, “i’m a good person!” “I’ve never done X” “I go to Church” “I go to men’s bible studies on Thursday nights!”

God says, look from the other direction. I loved you and it’s clear because of how I hated Esau. Because I wiped him out. I sent my Son to die on a cross, to pay the price and cancel the debt of sin.

Can we say, I have loved you, Look at how I hated the flesh. Look at how I have torn down it’s mountains and made it’s land baron. Look at how I’ve taken up my cross and crucified my flesh so I might join you in communion for eternity?

How do your actions toward the world reveal your heart? Are you selling your blessings for some red stuff? trading your inheritance for easy access to X.

The Priest Offer Unacceptable Sacrifices to the LORD & The Priests Do Not Teach the LORD’s Word Correctly (1:6-2:9)

Start with the call to action.

Tonight is all about authenticity. We need to recognize that our hearts are deceitful and we have a tendency to do things for very selfish reasons. God knows our motivations and our inner workings. As men, we can do things for pride, for status, to win (competitive), or to conquer (take what we want).

Read the passage.

1:6 - The Lords name should be honored.

-He wants honor like a father

-If you don’t see me as father at least acknowledge Him as master

Contaminated Worship leads to Contaminating God’s name 1:7

What does this look like in modern worship?

Bringing second Bests 1:8

Do we offer God our first fruits?

Do we bring unspoiled gifts?

Shut the Doors! 1:10

God doesn’t want half hearted routines

We must be authentic in our worship

Hot or Cold not lukewarm. Rev 3:16 “But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I’m going to spit you out of my mouth.”

(apologizing for scripture)?

1:11 - God will be worshiped by the gentiles

A reminder that God will be praised, if

1:13 - What a Nuisance it is

Proper worship can be challenging. (Cain and Able)

Do we despise God’s table by saying oh that’s to hard, that's to big of a demand (on my time, of my resources…),

are our lives pure and holy, or do we say “what a nuisance it is to be pure”

1:14 - Don’t Promise what you won’t do.