Sunday 08:26:12

Malachi – last prophet of the Old Testament. Malachi “my messenger” or “the Lord’s messenger” Date – after the temple had been rebuilt under Zerubabel. May have been written in the middle of Nehemiah’s ministry to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, 434 B.C. The people of Israel had been defeated militarily. They had been taken into captivity, then returned for 60-70 yrs. Maybe after all of that, the people would be focused on obeying God. Maybe this would be the golden age of Israel. No, after all that they went through, apathy and lethargy took charge. Malachi finds that the people’s worship of God has become disrespectful and apathetic. 1:2 – “I have loved you” – the Lord had not changed, his promises were still in place, his love not overcome by their sin. 1:6-13 – Blemished sacrifices are being offered to God at the temple. 2:1-9 – Priests’ attitudes are bad, disrespectful. 2:10-16 – Men are unfaithful, divorcing their Israelite wives for younger pagan women. Malachi 2:17 – You wear me out. Even after all that they’ve been through – the heights of the Lord’s power toward them, the Law given to them, the prophets sent to them, the warnings given to them to repent, the punishment that the Lord put them through – after all of that, the Israelites still return to apathy, lethargy, complaining, and sin. If there is any hope that anyone can follow the Lord, it must be by a different way. Malachi 3:1 – God’s plan all along was to make a way himself. The first messenger is John the Baptist, the second is Jesus Christ. He would have to send “the Lord,” the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Even in their sin, the people desired the Messiah. They were worn out in trying to keep a Law that they could never measure up to. But God would change everything through the coming Lord, the messenger of the new covenant. Malachi 3:6-12 v. 6 – “I do not change” - immutability of God, so he did not destroy them, b/c he is patient and keeps promises. v. 7 - “you have [always] turned away” - “return to me and I will return to you” v. 8 – You rob me in tithes and offerings. God claimed the firstborn or first fruits and a tenth of everything as his. The tithe was not the upper end of giving, it was the base, more was given. But the people were keeping it. God said, you’re robbing me. v. 9 – so you are under a curse. v. 10 – the remedy – do what is right, bring the whole tithe. Test me – only time he says this v. 11-12 they will be blessed and the Lord’s name will be honored. I was dishonoring God with my money. I had to repent. I had to use money in a way that honored God. I owe Christ everything. He changed everything for me. What is a tithe? 2 Corinthians 8:7 “excel in this grace of giving”. 2 Corinthians 9:12 generosity is expression of thankfulness to God. Says similar things about God blessing generosity.