MALACHI 1-2:16 ”WHERE’S THE LOVE?” Mark Kolbe

INTRODUCTION

· Malachi prophesied and wrote the book somewhere around 440 and 400 BC.

· He ministered during the time of Nehemiah and after the time of Haggai and Zechariah.

· This prophecy is approximately 100 years after the Israelites returned from Babylonian captivity.

· The temple had been rebuilt and the people of Israel were once again in the Promised Land, but this generation of Israelites was falling into sin (just like their ancestors).

· Malachi is being used by God to bring a message of judgment against these people.

· Malachi was the last prophet that spoke and wrote the words of God under the old covenant.

· After this, there is a 400-year period of silence, in which God did not speak to or through any prophets. That period of silence ended when John the Baptist came on the scene in the New Testament.

CHAPTER ONE

· 1:1) The “Lord” is “Yahweh” or “Jehovah”, the e_____________, self-existent, ever present, God.

· 1:2) Worldly love is marked by an individual r______________ something they d___________ and being affirmed in their current c_______________. God’s love is marked by Him g____________ people what’s b_________ for them and being s__________ from their current condition.

The covenant God made with Israel included b ___ that were physical and conditional. The Israelites had to trust God and o________ the things He commanded them. God’s love also includes r____________________, which is when He provides a w______ for people to be restored to Him. This way requires a s__________________.

· 1:3) The Israelites should have been t_____________ they weren’t descendants of Esau (Edomites).

· 1:4-5) The “Lord of hosts” emphasizes God’s s________________ over every power, dominion, force, and realm. He is one to be f_______________. God’s love includes harsh c_______________ and judgement.

· 1:6-8) The p___________ were the ones who were disrespecting God. They were sacrificing a___________ that were blind, lame, and sick.

· 1:9-10) Not one of the priests was willing to take a s__________ for what was right.

· 1:11) Nothing can s__________ God from receiving the praise and worship He is worthy of.

· 1:12-13) The responsibility of atoning for the sins of the people had become d and even bothersome to the priests.

· 1:14) The people were withholding their b___________ animals from God.

CHAPTER TWO

· 2:1-4) All the problems and suffering that Israel has faced throughout its history is due to people f______________ to uphold the covenant.

· 2:5-7) When God’s word is presented a_______________ and truthfully, the result is “life” and “peace”.

· 2:8-9) This generation of priests wase not following the covenant God had made with Israel, and because of that, they have caused many people to d_____________ as well.

The priests had a bad r____________________ in the eyes of many of the people.

They p______________ and chose the portions of God’s word that suited their fancy, or their time in history, and ignored the rest.

· 2:10) The wellness of the nation was directly related to whether i__________________ followed God’s commandments.

· 2:11-12) The sin that was being committed was men marrying i________ worshippers from surrounding nations.

· 2:13) The men made matters worse by divorcing their Israelite wives, which was a b____________ of them and God.

SO WHAT

· Since God is the Holy, Lord, He does not need love from those He created. But, because of the curse of sin, all people do need God’s love. I should l________ God in return, because of who He is and what He has done (1 John 4:19).

· When a person enters a covenant relationship with God, they become a priest (1 Peter 2:2-5, 9, Revelation 1:6). As a priest, I should offer a c_______________ and w____________ sacrifice to Him – myself (Romans 12:1).

· Bible study, singing songs of praise, and regularly meeting with other believers are good. However, a person’s love for God is proven by humbly obeying His commands in full. I should never make excuses for my past sins and should be willing to obey in a______ cases, not just some (1 John 5:3).

· Disobedience against God, never occurs in a vacuum. We never get to disobey for free. There are always negative repercussions of some kind. If I disobey, I will not receive God’s full blessing. If I disobey enough, God will be forced to bring j________________ upon me.