The Book of Malachi

 

Sermon 1 “Introduction to the book, and the book outlined”

Chapter 1:1

 

  1. Introduction, about the book.
    1. It was apparently written by a Prophet named Malachi; however this man is never again named in the bible. The name Malachi means – One who is dispatched as a deputy or a messenger of God – therefore was this a man’s actual name or is the writer simple “one who God sent with a message”? I believe it was his name.
    2. The timeline of this book; it was the last message of God to the Israelites before Christ and the last communication before John the Baptist. Sometime between 450bc and 400bc and most likely around 435bc.
    3. What the book deals with.

a.       It will deal with Gods compassion for Israel. Malachi 1:1 - 2a The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. (2.) I have loved you, saith the LORD..."

b.      It will deal with Gods compassion being doubted. Verse 2b “…Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,”

c.       It will deal with Gods compassion being demonstrated. Verse 3 “Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.”

    1. It will deal with Gods complaint with the Israelites.

a.       For Cheating – Verses 6 – 14 – Verse 6 “Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible (or vile).” – they offered defective animals forbidden by law. 

b.      For Unfaithfulness – 2:1 – 9 Malachi 2:1 - 2 “And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. (2.) If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.”

c.       For their mixed marriages. - 2:10 – 12 – Verse 11 “Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.” Remember the Lord told us not to marry to one unequal.

d.      For their Divorces – 2:13 – 16 – Verse 14 “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.” – Divorce had become a shallow thing but with Gods people it should be a last resort.

e.       Good had become evil and evil good. Verse 17 “Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?”

f.       God warns them of a coming messenger in John The Baptist. 3:1 – 6 – Verse 1 “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”

g.      They robbed God of His tithe.  3:7 – 12 – Verse 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”

h.      They were arrogant toward God. Verses 13 – 15 – Verse 13 “Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?” the word “stout” means – to be strong or to be arrogant – Geneva study Bible says; “The Prophet condemns them of double blasphemy against God: first, in that they said that God had no respect for those that served him, and next, that the wicked were more in his favour than the godly.”

    1. God’s condemnation of these people. 3:16 – 4:6

a.       To the ungodly people. Verses 3:16 – 18 – Verse 18 “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.”

b.      The Nature of Gods judgment. Chapter 4 – Verse 1 “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.