Malachi (4)

Here is what our small group used to work through our fourth session with Malachi - maybe there is something here for you.

Chapters 3 and 4 are interconnected, but since we can’t do everything in one morning, we’re doing the best we can by looking at three distinct sections.

In 3:1 we have a glimpse of not only the Messiah, but also of the messenger who goes before the Messiah. Compare Isaiah 40:3 – 4; Malachi 4:5 – 6; Matthew 3:3; 11:10 – 14; 17:10 – 13; Luke 1:76; 3:4 – 6.

There is a lot to ponder concerning the “Messenger” and we’ll likely pick it back up when we get to Malachi 4:5; I’ve given the above passages as background more than anything.

In 3:1 we see the Messiah termed as “Lord” and as the “Messenger of the covenant”. So we have two messengers in 3:1; the messenger who goes before the Messenger.

What do we see about the Lord’s coming in 3:1 – 4?

Do we recognize Christ when He comes to His Temple? When He comes to our local churches? When He comes to us? He is always coming to us – do we see Him?

What hinders us from seeing Him, both as individuals and as churches?

How does Christ come to us in our marriages and families? In our workplaces? In our neighborhoods? In our churches?

Thinking about 3:2 – 3; how is Christ purifying our lives? What does this look like?

What have you learned, what are you learning, about how Christ purifies you?

Note the picture of restoration in 3:4 – we have hope in the final outcome.

Consider please verse 5, what is God judging?

1.    Sorcerers (think both New Age and the occult)

2.    Adulterers (recall what we covered this week)

3.    Those who swear falsely (does a person’s “word” matter anymore?)

4.    Those who oppress the wage earner in his wages (are employees treated fairly, are companies seeking the “greater good”, or are people simply “human resources” to be expended and thrown away?)

5.    The widow (show me how a nation or a church treats its elderly, its orphans, its unborn, its poor, and I’ll show you the character of a church and nation)

6.    The orphan (see above)

7.    Those who turn aside the alien and do not fear me (show me how a church and a nation treat aliens and refugees and I’ll show you the character of a nation and church…excuses, excuses, excuses)

Note how our passage ends in Malachi 3:6. Compare Hebrews 13:8.

How does Malachi 3:1 – 6 challenge us? How does it encourage us?

Are we living lives of obedience to this passage? How?

Do we see Christ coming into our lives…again, and again, and again?

Much love,

Bob