God's Final Words to Israel before the Messiah Malachi 1-4. BSF Lesson 28 Global Lecture

God's Final Words to Israel before the Messiah enters the worldBSF Global Lesson 28Malachi invited God’s people to return to Him before the Messiah came. Malachi’s name means “my messenger.” The book’s opening verse emphasizes Malachi’s God-given message. Malachi aimed to stir God’s apathetic people to seek His tender love and honor His majestic holiness.Malachi brought God’s words of judgment to Israel but first reminded the people of God’s love.Serving God had become a chore for the priests and the people alike. God lovingly called them back to Himself with warnings, judgment, and promises of the coming Messiah. Malachi’s book opens with the Lord saying, “I have loved you.” These four powerful words set the stage for everything Malachi wrote. He even presented God’s judgment through the lens of His overpowering love. God reveals His faithful love through His judgment and blessing.Divisions1. God confronts Israels dishonor in sacrifice and unfaithfulness with priests. Malachi 1:1-2:172. God promises His Messenger coming and calls His people to return to Him with tithes. Malachi 3:1-152. God records scroll of the righteous and a day distinguishing righteous from wicked. Malachi 3:16-4:6Aim- God confronts unfaithfulness and calls His people to return.Application:1. Where might your worship or obedience have become routine or careless?2. Are there ways you are withholding from God and how is He calling you to return?3. How does God’s view of the righteous and wicked shape how you live?