Malachi—Between Man and God

I.       Theme

Fidelity to God’s covenant and its teachings

II.    Outline

A.     God’s covenantal love for Israel affirmed (1:1-5)

B.     Israel’s unfaithfulness rebuked (1:6-2:9)

1.        The unfaithfulness of priests (1:6-2:9)

 a.      They dishonor God in their sacrifices (1:6-14)

 b.      They are unfaithful in teaching the law (2:1-9)

2.        The unfaithfulness of the people (2:10-16)

C.     The Lord’s coming announced (2:17-4:6)

1.        The Lord will come to purify the priests and judge the people (2:17-3:5)

2.        A call to repentance in view of the Lord’s coming (3:6-18)

3.        The day of the Lord announced (4:1-6)

III. Lesson

A.     God’s love for Israel (1:2-5)

Argument:

God:  “I have loved you.”

Man: “How have You loved us?”

1.        God’s love manifested in His chosen ones (1:2)

2.        God determined our destiny (1:3-4)

3.        God is great even beyond the chosen ones (1:5)

4.        Q&A

 a.      Why is the word of the Lord a burden to the prophet?

 b.      Can relationships be built with God without love?

 c.      Why is it so difficult to know the love of God?

 d.      What is the difference between being loved and unloved?

 e.      How can the Lord be magnified beyond His chosen ones?

B.     Israel dishonored God in their sacrifice (1:6-14)

Argument:

God: “Where is the honor and fear?” (1:6)

Man: “How have we despised Your name?”

1.        Give God the due honor and fear (1:6)

 a.      The relationship of father and son

 b.      The relationship of master and servant

2.         Offering unacceptable sacrifice is evil (1:7-10)

 a.      Even the governor cannot be pleased

 b.      God will not show favor to the people

3.         God’s name will be great among all nations (1:11)

4.          Offer  unacceptable sacrifice profanes God’s name (1:12-14)

 a.      God will not accept the offering

 b.      God’s name is feared among nations

5.        Q&A

 a.      Why is the word of the Lord a burden to the prophets (Nah.1:1)?

 b.      Can a relationship with God be built without love?

 c.      Why is it so difficult to know the love of God?

 d.      What is the difference between being loved and not being loved?

 e.      How can the Lord be magnified beyond His chosen?

C.     Unfaithful priests (2:1-9)

1.        God gave commands to the priests (2:1-3)

 a.      Those who dishonor God will be cursed

2.        God’s covenant with Levi (2:4-7)

 a.      The covenant of life and peace (2:5)

(a)     Serve God in fear

 b.      Levi ‘s duty (2:6)

(a)     Guard the knowledge

(b)     Walk with God in peace and uprightness

(c)     Turn many from iniquity

3.        God’s indictment to priests (2:8-9)

 a.      Violate the covenant with Levi (2:8)

 b.      Suffer the consequences (2:9)

4.        Q&A

 a.      Who played the role of priest in the NT?

 b.      Why is the covenant of life and peace related to fear of the Lord? (Num 25:12-13)

 c.      How did the priest corrupt the covenant of Levi?

 d.      (Mic 3:11; Mt 23:1-36)