Malachi
- The love of God for Israel (1:1-5)
- The sins of the restoration priests rebuked (1:6-2:9)
- The sins of the people rebuked (2:10-3:18)
- The day of the Lord (4:1-6)
Malachi
Today's
reading finishes the Old Testament. Malachi is a good book for the end of the
Old Testament, for it introduces us to the ministry of John the Baptist which
comes early in the New Testament and helps ready the people for Christ.
Malachi 1 –
Corruption. Some areas
of corruption of the people and the priests are cited. •Doubt of Divine
love: the asking of doubt ("Wherein hast thou love us?"); the
answer to doubt (God said He loved them but hated Esau and brought
judgment upon Esau and would have indignation with Esau forever, but Israel
would survive). •Defilement of Divine worship: they defiled their
worship of God by despising His name (same as profanity); by giving
defective offerings (God got the lame and sick, not the best); by
disinterest in worshiping God ("weariness" [v. 13]).
Malachi 2 –
Condemnation. Both
priests and people are condemned. •Priests condemned: the
cause (they failed to do their duty, they influenced many to stumble,
and they corrupted Levitical covenant); the curse (their seed will be
corrupted, dung will be put on their faces; and contempt for them will come from
the people—this judgment, however, would be remedial and result in the renewing
of the Levitical covenant). •People condemned: they were condemned for
forbidden marriages (married idol worshipers); for failed
marriages (they were divorcing—God hates divorce!); and for false
claims (they said evildoers were good in God's sight).
Malachi 3 –
Communique. The prophet
has three messages in this chapters. •Coming: the first and second
coming of Christ are both in view here. The messenger in the return
(prophecy of John the Baptist); the moment of the return (will come
suddenly); the might of the return (great judgment upon the sinners).
•Corruption: the people were defrauding offerings and
despising obedience. •Consecrated: their fear (holy
fear of God), their fellowship (those who feared God spoke one to
another); their favor (they were God's jewels).
Malachi 4 –
Consummation. The day
of judgment is the subject. •Conflagration: the wicked will be burned
up in that day. •Vindication: the righteous will triumph in that day.
•Exhortation: obey God's commands in view of that day.
•Preparation: Elijah sent to prepare the people for that day.