Background
Malachi prophesied sometime between the years of ______ B.C. and _____ B.C. The exact dates that he lived are unknown, but it is said in Malachi 1:8 that the temple has been rebuilt, which means this must take place after 515 BC.
What is 445 to 425 B.C.?
When they first returned to Judea from their captivity in Babylon, the Jews rigorously guarded against this in their land. But over time, they gradually gave in to this sin. In the process, they also began to lose sight of God’s purposes for them. It was during this period that Malachi was sent to instruct and guide God’s people toward a more pure life.
What is "pagan idol worship"?
The book of Malachi centralizes around Israel’s inability to be loyal to God. Malachi sends a message of both reprimand and mercy. Through Malachi, God calls out the people of Israel on this.
What is their faithfulness?
Malachi prophesied about ________ years after the Babylonian exile.
What is 100 years?
General truth for the corporate church:
Telling people who do evil that they please the Lord is ______ and “wearies the Lord”
according to Malachi 2:17.
What is "dishonest"?
Little is known about Malachi, but we do know that Malachi stands for “____________”. Malachi was sent to the sons of Jacob to stand as a warning for them and those to follow that a day of judgement is coming.
What is "messenger of God?"
Malachi revealed the spiritual and moral shortcomings of the _______ and common people alike.
What are the "priests"?
God wants us to give ____ of ourselves to Him.
What is "all"?
Upon returning from exile, the Israelites had hoped that the temple would be rebuilt, that the prophecies would all come true, that the Messiah would come, and that the nation would once again be _____. Instead, they returned (as much the same people) to much the same conditions as before.
What is "unified"?
General truth for the teachers of the Law:
Malachi 2:7 says,
“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve [this], because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth."
What is "knowledge"?
There are 400 years of God’s silence after Malachi and before John the Baptist comes sharing the good news. Malachi addresses the same sins noted by Nehemiah, so we can infer they ministered around the same time. At this time, the central focus was this.
What is "rebuilding the temple?"
1. Tithing was being neglected (Malachi 3:7-10)
2. Divorce had become commonplace
3. There were mixed marriages with pagan peoples (Malachi 2:10-16).
The previous three things are the ___________ that Malachi revealed to Israel.
What are "shortcomings"?
One Biblical (general) truth in Malachi is that divorce is breaking a ___________ with both God and the spouse by lack of faith.
What is a "covenant"?
This was the format of Malachi, a seeming dialogue between Israel and God.
What is a "series of disputes"?
Malachi's main theological message or concern:
The Israelites saw God as only a judge who was ready to correct/punish them whenever they disobeyed Him. However, Malachi reprimanded them on that way of thinking and attempted to remind them of this, which includes not only his judgement but his love.
What is "the true character of God"?
It’s been a while since the people of Israel have heard _____________, and the people are starting to stray from what they know to be true.
What is "God's voice"?
Israel faced drought, famine, poverty and oppression from outsiders. Moral and spiritual laxity, pride, indifference, permissiveness and skepticism.
Malachi pleaded with his countrymen to humble themselves in prayer (Malachi 1:9). Because it was only through a nationwide, heartfelt _____________ that the blessings of God would be restored again.
What is "repentance"?
To the individual and the church, God encourages His people to test Him in the giving of this.
What is "tithe"?
The first three issues discussed in Malachi expose this, and the last three confront it.
What is "Israel's corruption"?
There is an ongoing struggle between God’s people and his love for them. We still see the effects of the teachings/ warnings of the prophet Malachi. The whole point of the gospel message is centered around the idea that Malachi brought forth: “We deserve God's wrath, but he seeks us and loves us still”. We can safely say that some of the individuals in the community that Malachi encountered understood, but a lot of them did not. Thus, God's promise to send a prophet like Elijah (referring to John the Baptist) represents evidence that Malachi's message was not fully _______ by the people. The new prophet will speak into their lives and prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah.
What is "received"?
Repetition is a key element in the book. The name "Lord Almighty" occurs this many times.
What is 20 times?
Speaking to His people is a testimony to the fact that God is active in the midst of his people and that he responds to their behavior as well as their questions.
But, this is not the case in the book of Malachi: Israel questions ___________. And even though God finds their words harsh (Mal 3:13), the Lord does not condemn them for that. In fact, He answers their questions and concerns without judgment.
What is "God's love"?
In Malachi 3:16, it is shared that the people who "feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard..."
To a community of faith, this encourages us to have _________ with like-minded disciples of Christ in order to honor God and turn His ear.
What is "fellowship"?
The ______ of Malachi conveys two primary ideas:
1. Remember the Torah.
2. God will send another prophet like Elijah and Moses.
What is the "conclusion"?
Now that we know the verses that describe Malachi's message to Israel on both a corporate level and as a community of faith... these messages are made clear:
1. Israel shall not ______ the covenant with God and expect to receive its blessing.
2. Insincere/impure _______ and worship is detestable to God.
3. Disrespecting the _______ is disrespecting God.
What is:
1. break
2. sacrifice
3. temple